Today was an extremely eventful day to say the least. My parents and I went to Madrid to see Jorge (my oldest brother who goes to school there). They also had to return a shirt that my dad didn't like. So we got to the city, parked the car, and started walking. Little did I know I wouldn't see the car for two more hours!!! Along the way I spotted 4 McDonalds, 3 Starbucks, 2 Kentucky Fried Chickens, 1 Burger King, 1 TGI Friday's, and a partridge in a pear tree (ok you caught me... I really didn't see a partridge in a pear tree :) ) When we got to the store where we had to return the shirt, we looked for something else to purchase. Boys in America sure do dress differently than boys in Europe!!! I kept thinking of Brock the whole time I was in the store. There was a huge rack of mens, corduroy pants. They came in EVERY COLOR YOU COULD POSSIBLY IMAGINE!!! All I could think was....If Brock was here right now he would say how ugly these pants are! Then my dad stopped and almost bought a pair and the older gentleman behind me had a rusty orange pair on!!! Good thing I didn't say anything :) Needless to say, I didn't buy Brock anything from that store!!!


My family showed me around some cool sights and plazas in Madrid. There was this little hotel built completely out of 12 tons of garbage found on the beaches of Europe. That was really cool to see! I also got my picture taken at a point called Km 0 (kilometer 0). This is the point that google and other maps will tell you how far something is from Madrid. So if you look up Green Bay to Madrid, it will tell you the distance to that exact point!!! Also, there is a famous dog in Spain named Pancho. Apparently this dog knows how to fish, go to the bathroom on a normal toilet, set the table, etc. etc. etc. He apparently helped his owner pick the winning numbers in the lottery, too. So the dog was there, in the center of the Madrid plaza, with a line of hundreds of people waiting to get their picture taken with this psychic dog. I didn't wait in line, I just pushed my way to the front to get a picture :) 


For lunch we had calamari (squid) sandwiches. Dad I know what you are thinking when you are reading this because I was thinking the same thing!!! In sixth grade we dissected squid for science class. My dad decided to be the parent helper that day! After ripping the squid apart we were able to try some....needless to say it didn't go well and I haven't ate calamari since....UNTIL TODAY!!! I ate all of it!! It only took a little water with every bite to get everything down! 


As we were walking back to the car we walked down the main theater street. This was where all the movie theaters, main hotels, and performance theaters are located. As we were walking I saw a HUGE sign for the Imperial Russian Ballet. They were performing Swan Lake! For those of you who don't know, the movie Black Swan with Natalie Portman (up for about 2397512837 Oscar and Golden Globe awards) is based on this movie!! I have always wanted to see a ballet so why not see one of the best ballet companies in the World! When I got home I looked online for tickets and there was only one seat available for next weekend (the weekend I am going to Madrid). Soooooooo that rained on my parade a bit! But, I didn't let that get me down! I searched and searched for their tour schedule and I found out they would be in London the first weekend of February. So.......I just booked my flight to London and 3 tickets to Swan Lake at the Wimbledon Theater :) GIRLS WEEKEND!!!! I am soooo excited!


Along with the London trip, I booked a trip to Barcelona the first weekend of April! It is soooooooo hard to believe how cheap flights are over here!!! Now comes the lovely hostel hunting search! Boy I hope the comments on these websites are legit comments and it isn't just the owners filling things out wanting people to stay at their hostel!


At dinner tonight, we received some devastating news. My mom told me that Alfonso (my dad) wasn't at dinner because his father was really ill. It wasn't five minutes after she told me that when the phone rang. Alfonso's father has passed away. He was 88 and had extremely bad Alzheimer's. He passed away at home with his wife and kids. So now comes the part where I don't know what I am going to do....Do I go to the funeral after only knowing my family for a week and one day? Do I not go to the funeral? I didn't quite bring the proper funeral attire with me and I don't think my black, lace mini skirt would be appropriate! I think I might just wait and see if they bring it up.....any suggestions???


Welllll its extremely late here and I am starting to feel guilty about booking those trips tonight!!! I better fall asleep before I can change my mind :) 


I wish every a relaxing rest of your Saturday and Sunday!
Don't forget to cheer on the Packers at 2pm!!! GO PACK GO!!!
If I can watch it here there is no excuse you can't watch it there :)
I miss everyone lots!!!


Besos y Abrazos
B