A couple of weeks back, I went to Madrid for the 'National Erasmus Event', once again with the ESN. Despite the 7am start and and an 8 hour bus journey, we arrived in Madrid in good spirits, ready to take on the Spanish capital. First stop was the 'Museo Reina Sofia' - Spain's national museum of 20th century art, named after the current queen. While it was interesting to see the works of artists such as Picasso and Salvador Dali, after a couple of hours it was definitely time to head back to the 'hotel' - sorry, I mean hostel - to get ready for the UV Paint Party that night; but not before a quick stop at KFC! (I know, I know)
In all fairness, the paint party wasn't too bad. In the beginning the music was good, though I think if I ever hear the songs 'I love it' and 'don't wake me up' again I'll ... sigh, forever reminders of my Santiago erasmus <3 By 4am they'd started to play all dubstep, so that was me well and truly off the dancefloor - how you're supposed to dance to that kind of music God only knows, give me Steps or S Club 7 any day!
Highlight of the night though, was bumping into two people who study at Cardiff who are on their year's abroad as well - definitely a small world!
After stumbling back to to the hostel at 6.15, it was time for a couple of hours kip before the tour scheduled for Saturday morning. I'm ashamed to say I missed it, as my bed was keeping me prisoner - not my fault, I swear! I caught up with the others at midday and still managed to see some pretty cool things though, like the Plaza Mayor ... Que bonitaaa!
Us at Madrid's 'Plaza Mayor'
After having a look around another museum of Madrid, the 'Museo del Prado', we decided that we weren't really feeling a 6am finish again that night (only time our bus would leave) and so decided to try something different - the ballet!
I'd never been before and so didn't know what to expect but I have to say, I was amazed by the standard of dancing. We watched 'la Opera de Perm' (I think it was called that!) and it just blew me away! I did feel kind of posh too; the theater was incredible and we even had a cheeky glass of Champagne at half time ... Ok, maybe it was just Cava, but still.
Dana, Marion & I at the ballet
By the time Sunday rolled around, it's safe to say we were knackered, so what better way to relax than in a VIP rooftop bar overlooking the center of Madrid?! I could have sat there for hours - the sofa bed thingy's were so comfy and the views were insane! It helped that it was sunny too; coming from Santiago, I'd almost forgotten what the sun looked like!
At the top of the 'Circulo de Bellas Artes'
To top off the weekend there was one last Erasmus event - a picnic in the park, yay! Unfortunately, the 'picnic' consisted of an apple and a ham baguette - not great if you're a vegetarian as many of our group were, so we headed off to find somewhere else to eat. After a DISASTROUS first attempt at ordering food (so bad I won't even go into it), we finally found ourselves an Irish pub - warm, cosy and had some great food, even apple crumble!!
Afterwards, it was time to head back to catch the bus to Santiago. A stressful journey, as due to my exams that were the following day, meant I had to spend it cramming in vocab and catching up on reading - all my fault of course, for not doing it before hand!
So there we have it, my weekend in Madrid. I have to admit, I didn't really know what to expect of it as I'd never been there before, but it really was a beautiful place. I don't think I could live there full time - it's just a bit too big for me! - but I would definitely consider going there again. Out of all the Erasmus trips I've been on, this was definitely the best!
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