A Day in the Life...: Girls Weekend...Spain You Better Watch Out!

So as most of you know, I had two special visitors last week in Spain...All the way from MinneSNOWta! Welcome to Spain Mom and Auntie Michelle!

Despite all the tension and stress leading up to if they would get on their flight out of Minneapolis, we were sure to have a great week. I pre-warned them that we only had five days, so they had to be ready to do lots and accept that they will be tired. Not to mention we walk everywhere, so that is exhausting in and of itself. After traveling in 2 planes, taking the wrong bus, getting on the Metro, and then the AVE train to Sevilla, they finally arrived at the Sevilla train station Friday afternoon. I was so excited when I saw their train pull up, it was so surreal that this was actually happening. We were bound to have a great weekend.

So all weekend the weather was hit or miss with the rain and quite cold (50's...oh man, what will I do in Minnesota when I get home!), but we made the best out of it anyway! Their first night, I basically gave them an overview of Sevilla. We did a ton of walking (nearing at least 6 miles) and I pointed out different things that we could see within the days to come if they were interested. To end our first night, the family I tutor invited us over for a wonderful dinner. It was a lot of fun because all but the dad speak English, so Mom and Auntie Michelle could talk to them and learn about them. We really appreciated this dinner together, not to mention homemade Spanish food! The dad was so kind to drive us back to the hotel because the girls were exhausted from the long day of traveling! I left them at the hotel to sleep so we could start our adventures Saturday morning.

Saturday I got up and went to the hotel. Today we hopped on a one hour train to Jerez de la Frontera, the spanish wine country. We were going to a Winery to get a tour and tasting! I was so excited. When we got there, we were mapless, but I figured we could just follow the signs to figure out where to go. That worked until the signs stopped...so then I asked people. The first person led us correctly, and then as we got further I randomly asked other people and they kept saying oh further, and further, and further. I finally got to the point where I just found a taxi becuase I was not going to go any further. After looking at the taxi drivers map, we literally walked one hour around the edge of the city when were were 20 minutes away from the train station! Well that was an adventure. When we finally got to TIO PEPE Winery, we got our tickets for the English tour. It was tons of fun and we learned a lot! I will share some fun details as you look through the pictures. We stayed there for the afternoon and headed back to Sevilla mid afternoon. That night we went in town for dinner and a Flamenco Show. I was kind of using this week to do some things I had not done yet. So for dinner we ate traditional Spanish food: Tortilla de Patata and Paella con Carne. Both delicious and the girls loved the food! So glad. The waiter also took a liking to me because he asked me lots of questions about Minnesota and different English words that he didn't know the meanings to. After dinner we went to a traditional Flamenco Show with singing, guitar, and dancing! All I can say is breath-taking...literally...sometimes I caught myself not breathing.

Sunday and Monday we spent in Sevilla. We did some shopping, went to mass in the Cathedral, toured the Real Alcazar Palacio, and had lunch with my Senora on Monday. That was interesting since she only spoke Spanish and the girls only spoke English...look where that left me. Enough said! It was quite enjoyable and so kind of her to invite us over.

On Tuesday morning we left by train to Madrid. We spent the whole day here just walking around to all the sights that I saw the first time. There were so many more people though because of the Christmas Season. The streets were all decorated with lights and Christmas Tree in the center. It was a great last day to spend with them!

I would love to write more, but I have to stop procrastinating and study for my FINALS! Ugh... Enjoy the photos and see you in four days!

Mom waiting at the JFK airport.

Auntie Michelle!

Whoops, I forgot to turn this...their train coming in as I was waiting EXCITEDLY!

The picture I took of them walking toward me! All Smiles!

Mom and I at the Reception Desk at my school

This guy I see all the time and Mom wanted me to get a picture with him. Every time we passed him in the Fall we thought he only knew a few English words because he would always say: "Sexy Legs." Little did I know, but he knew more. After this picture he pulled me in close and said "Give me a kiss, just one kiss" and I was like ewwww...NO! And I pulled away!

So there was a slight crack between the bed and wall at the hotel and I accidentally fell through!

Plaza de Espana all lite up!

On the train to Jerez de la Frontera

So on Friday night, we just happened to be in the Center when they illuminated all the lights! It was so beautiful and brought the Christmas Spirit!

Mom and I by the big tree in the Center!

Mom and Auntie Michelle in Madrid! So many memories made!

So I told the waiter at the restaurant that I deserve a discount for all the help I gave him. In stead he came our with a liquor that looked like oil! It was actually Liquor de Hierbas (Herbs). Quite interesting. Auntie Michell and I decided to do the shots...

I think this says enough...

Flamenco performers at the Casa de Memoria

In motion

Mom and I at Tio Pepe

At our wine tasting! Our first legal drinking experience!

This is a lass of wine that they put out every day for the mice. They climb up the ladder and drink right out of it. They even pictures of proof! Dad, maybe try this at home?

In one of the cellars. One of the cellars is actually 3 levels with 10,000 barrels on each floor containing more than 15 million liters of wine in that one building! Amazing. This really was alot of fun to learn how they make the wine and the process it takes!

This is the Brandy making cellar. Once again a long process, so you should ask me when I get home! Mom and Auntie Michelle you might have to help remind me!