Hold the phone.

Where'd April go? It feels like it was just my birthday and now here we are at the end of it. I've had a busy few weeks.

Spring sprang*, and with it arrived two great friends, who came all the way to Madrid just to visit me! We walked everywhere, ate way too much, joked and laughed, etc. And I was again reminded how much I love this city. It was all just what I needed. And now that they are safely home, I think what I need is to sleep. ;)

We also went to El Escorial, which is much
more pleasant in April than in Decembrrrr!

One great memory from the week: a trip to nearby Alcalá de Henares, which I had been meaning to visit for EVER. It happened like this: during my morning commute on Tuesday, I was browsing possible day trips from Madrid and found an article about Alcalá. "Go on April 23," it said, "to celebrate International Book Day." Anddd Tuesday was April 23! So after work, away we went. We perused a book sale set up in the beautiful central plaza, stumbled upon one of the oldest hospitals in Europe, and enjoyed a delicious (second) lunch at a little cafe. But the best part? Visiting Cervantes' birthplace!!! I was SUPER keyed. Inspired me to reopen the tome that is Don Quixote and pick up where I left off (a.k.a. p. 80 of like 900 oops).

Turns out my friends came at the perfect time to distract me from the fact that two of my lovely roommates left this week because their term was officially finished and summer internships were calling their names. I am going to miss them so much! The flat feels really empty without them...

They also came at the perfect time to discuss the Boston Marathon events... The news was a lot to take in from afar (and I'm sure even worse for the people who were near), so I was glad to have Boston friends come a few days later. Provided a chance to swap thoughts. On Saturday, as we were walking past the dessert counter at one of my fave indoor markets, we noticed a huge crepe propped up by the cash register (see photo). We thanked the man who was working for the kind gesture, and he put his hands on his heart. He said it was nothing, it was the least he could do, and that Boston was in his thoughts. I nearly shed a tear, no joke.

May your last days of this month be filled with lots of sunshine and a hearty dose of peace and tranquility.

xoxo,
E.

*I know it's customary to say "Spring has sprung," but that implies that the season is still in process, and this week, I'm afraid to say, Madrid is rewinding to late winter wahh.

[Holi/birth]days

During Semana Santa (Holy Week), I had no school and the good fortune of being able to travel to Paris, northern Morocco, and southern Spain. The whole trip was absolutely amazing! It would be impossible for me to recount all of it, holy cats. But, since a picture is worth a thousand words, I will provide a few photos instead, and you can pretend I wrote you a whole book about my adventures...

Paris, France

Chefchaouen, Morocco

Malaga, Spain

Granada, Spain

My birthday was just a few days after we got back. It totally snuck up on me, per usual. I had caught some nasty traveler's bug towards the end of the trip and so was down for the count for a few days. Luckily, my birthday was the first day I could eat real meals again! And that was the best birthday present EVER. Either that, or the following:

One of my favorite students in my group of little baby first-years is named Jose (real shocker there). He's one of those too-cool-for-school types but he's just so. darn. cute. and also a total angel in my class. On Thursday, he bounced into the classroom and wished me a happy birthday. I was completely caught off guard! 

"Jose, how did you know it was my birthday?"

"You told us."

"... Ummm, no I didn't."

"Yes, you did. When we learned about Martin Luther King" (PEOPLE, THAT WAS IN EARLY FEBRUARY, MAYBE EVEN LATE JANUARY) "you told us that he died on your birthday. So I circled today's date in my planner."

It's true, MLKJ was assassinated on April 4th, so I must have mentioned off-hand that the 4th also happens to be my birthday, which is a sad coincidence, etc. And Jose wrote it down! And told everyone! And the whole class sang to me! In English! And that, right there, may have actually been the best birthday present ever. 

Speaking of my birthday, thanks so much for all the well wishes! They made me feel both close to home and incredibly loved, and that was truly appreciated. :)

xoxo,

E.