I passed!! and Madrid!

So I was mistaken in my previous post when I said that I needed five points to pass. I actually needed only three! As such, I took the exam and was the first one from my class out! Suffice it to say I actually passed!

The next day I woke up early and caught a train to the airport! After a 4 hour flight I was in Madrid! I never realized how much of a Spanish influence there is in America (at least linguistically). From watching Dora the Explorer I was somehow able to get by! (as in order food... pay for my 1 star hostal accomodation, etc...) The first day I simply walked around and toured a bit. I stumbled upon the Chinese quarter and am convinced all the stores there are simply fronts for drug dealing or other nefarious acts.

The second day I went to Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía which was very close (10 meters) from my hostel. It had many, many Picassos and Dalis and I am quite fond of them both. I of course toured around the rest of the city (finding an internet cafe and some restaurants that had menus del dia (cheaper 2-3 course meals!) before going to the Sofia as the Sofia was free after 2.30. I visited the Royal Palace of Madrid and saw part of the Stradivari collection. And I visited the Almudena Cathedral to the the south? of the Palace. 

The next day I went to the Prado, a wonderful art museum with a great collection of Diego Velázquez and Francisco Goya, as well as El Greco. After spending many hours in the museum I went out to some gardens, stumbled upon a collection of Rodin sculptures, and at night visited a Spanish friend from highschool. Guillermo ordered the food, and I just ate...

In all it was a wonderful experience and I must admit I love the city (especially the weather coming from Uppsala...)! I definitely will make my way back there one day. I didn't have a full Madrid experience as I never went out to any clubs, which I hear they quite good... The night I was going to go out, Sunday - my friend Guillermo told me he wouldn't take me - only strange people go out Sunday nights he said...

I wanted to be strange, but alas, it gives me more reason to go back soon!

Adios till next time,

Joe