Moments in Madrid

My Friends,

As this Is the last blog I will post while in Madrid, I thought it may be interesting to you to hear a collection of thoughts that I have jotted down over the course of the last three months. These ideas and concepts are random (as my thoughts frequently tend to be), but straight from my heart to yours. I have enjoyed all of your comments and thoughts of my blog, and I feel as though you have been here with me all along. Thank you for traveling with me, I think of each of you often. Please enjoy the photos, and Rajesh and I wish you all the very best!

Sarah

Rajesh and I were given intercambios (exchange language partners) that spoke to us in Spanish. They took us to different places in Madrid, and we learned so much Spanish, and spent a great deal of time with them.

I got the opportunity to see the Temple Debod in Madrid. First built in Egypt then transferred to Madrid, it is one of the many prides of Spain.

Madrid’s famous Retiro Park is 350 acres of scenic gardens and walkways. Many athletes that live in Madrid and workout in Retiro on a weekly basis. I had a goal to get lost in Retiro with a good piece of Spanish literature. What a lovely day I had!

My first ride on the METRO.

As I descended the cold cemented staircase to the bowels of the Metro station at Ciudad Lineal (where I live), every fiber of my being was in turmoil. We were going underground. (My dear mother can attest that Sarah being underground can never result in anything positive). I was in a black dungeon under the earth full of vast tunnels and ear-piercing whistles. I felt like Harry Potter entering platform 9 3/4, invisible, but there at the same time. The whistle disturbed me and I felt a whoosh of wind at my face and back. On the vagón (train car) the stoic faces of the fellow riders around me confirmed that I was indeed riding to my doom. For the first time, I understood how moles feel. I clung with all my might to the bars on the inside of the vagón as we whizzed away. We were in utter darkness now, flying through a tunnel. After arriving, I again climbed a vast staircase and suddenly I was on land again. Upon my emergence, I saw the sun again and I was reminded that I am still on planet earth, and all is well. The people of Madrid have this experience every day.

The English influence in Madrid is quite obvious. In Fact, I have strolled through many shops and large supermarkets, signs and products are frequently in English first then in Spanish. I can understand how many Americans can visit Madrid and never speak in Spanish. Our Spanish teacher challenged us on the first day of class to speak, watch tv, and read only in Spanish. She said the most effective immersion happens when you are taken from what is familiar. She was right. She also challenged us to find hidden places that tourists don’t visit. In these areas, you are likely to get lost easier and to only speak in Spanish. We have no idea why anyone would want to do that J

I suppose when I return, one of the most common question I might get from people is “so are you fluent now?” I am closer than I have ever been.

The Fulbright event

Rajesh and I were invited to a Fulbright event because of winning the Benjamin A. Gillman Scholarship. There were mostly students that were currently involved in the Madrid Fulbright Program so we had the opportunity to meet lots of ambitious master’s students from all over the United States and Europe. The event consisted of 5 key speakers

The United States Ambassador of Spain

The President of Aspen Institute (Madrid)

2 directors of the Spain Fulbright program

The United States Ambassador of Spain was my favorite speaker. He encouraged us to challenge ourselves academically. He talked about the low percentage of students that chose to study abroad. I was very excited about this particular topic. When Rajesh and I return to our Community College, we will be hosting a workshop to encourage students to consider studying abroad.

Yesterday Rajesh and I took our final exam, and said goodbye to all of the wonderful people that made our program a great success. I couldn't believe how attached I had grown to all of them. Today we packed and cleaned our quaint little home, and had apartment inspection. As we fly out tomorrow, I realize this is my last blog in Madrid. How time flies.