Super Sabroso Spain

I'm writing this blog from a new bookstore I discovered (thanks to the recommendation of my roommate Elán!) called Vino y Libros, a perfect combination of 2 things I love! I've got my glass of white wine, next to a big window looking out on a beautiful Madrid street, some complimentary cheese and crackers, and my new book in spanish (nevermind that I was recommended a few choice selections from the 12 year old readers section, baby steps here people)

In honor of the impending arrival of the month of September - my last full month in Spain, which is so unreal! Time is flying faster than ever! - I'm going to err on the side of extremely cheesy and go with a themed blog, and the theme is "S". First of all, "S" for September (just in case you hadn't caught that one) but also because as much as I wish I had a million months more here in Spain, there are still things that I have been missing about the States, and that I know I have still to look forward to when this amazing adventure comes to an end! 

To begin with, some things that I am loving/have defined my time here in Spain:
- Street Strolls: one of my favorite things to do in this amazing city is just to walk around! Everywhere you go you find something new to explore, something else beautiful to appreciate. Between the different "barrios," or neighborhoods each with their own unique character, to the impressive monuments scattered throughout the city, to the architecture and everything inbetween, I could spend hours just walking down the street and taking it all in. Not to mention, especially in the summer weather it's really nice to be able to walk really anywhere if you wanted to! (added bonus, if you get tired halfway through there's always a metro stop within a 5 block radius!)
- Seco: I love the dry heat and summer weather here!
- Spontaneity: very much a part of the lifestyle here, and something I would love to bring back to my life in the States. Appreciating the fact that not every minute of every day has to be planned out, and that it is possible to just drop whatever you're doing for a change of direction!
- Sightseeing: I have a new motto, and it's going to be "wherever you are, live like you're a tourist" because I think it's easy to take for granted some of the amazing things, big or small, that each city has to offer for the plain and simple fact that you live there, but here being a cross between a tourist and a (albeit temporary) resident, I've been really motivated to take advantage of everything!
- Sangria.
- Spanish Language: I LOVE being able to practice my Spanish on a daily basis! I'm not sure if I would say fluent, but it's the most rewarding feeling knowing that you can hold meaningful conversations with people in a different language, and to have people tell you that (all grammatical errors taken into account) you speak the language very well
- Sauteé-ing Everything: in home sweet home 51 Calle de los Algodonales, we don't have an oven, and the other utensils are...sometimes a bit on the makeshift side. So we have gotten extremely creative at making do with what we have, whether it be making oven pizzas on the stovetop or meals like "Chickpea Surprise"
- Sistemas de Transporte Publico: absolutely loving the ease and efficiency of public transportation! It's so nice not ever having to worry about how you're getting somewhere, who's going to drive, etc.
- Sunrise: the shifted time frame of normal waking hours is weird at first, but also a lot of fun and I'm going to miss coming home to see the sunrise after staying out all night!
- Sitting on the Balcony: how many hours have I spent with my amazing roommates out on the balcony of our apartment?? It's where I first got to know and love them, where the first Totally Tetuán Thursday took place (and many nights after that), and it doesn't matter if we're eating, drinking, talking, listening to music, it's just nice to be out there with such great company!
- Stepping Outside of your Comfort Zone: this is also something that I've been appreciating about my time here in Spain, mostly for the experiences it has allowed me to have. I feel like I'm much more open and inclined to try new things, and no matter the result to appreciate it for what I learned
- Seeing the World: the traveling that I've been able to do thus far, and still have planned for the next few weeks, has been one of the most incredible parts about my time here. Not only is it easier and a given on a stint in Europe, but it's also extremely encouraged by everyone as an important part of everyone's life! And now that I've been bit by the travel bug, I'm hoping this is also something that will continue way past my time here
- Sol: the historic quarters of Madrid, and where most of the important touristy things are located. It is absolutely a beautiful area, and I always get so happy just walking around there...Plaza Mayor, Gran Vía, the actual Puerta del Sol are all right there, and it's a short walking distance to Parque del Retiro, Museo del Prado, Plaza de Independencia, or La Latina, and absolutely full to the brim with the most delicious restaurants and amazing stores!
- Sharing Food: definitely the preferred style of eating here, and right up my alley! I love that instead of just one dish, everyone orders a few plates for the table and you get to try them all, plus it's a lot more pleasant to work out the bill at the end of the night when you just split it equally!
- Swapping Stories: I have been so inspired by every single person I have met here. Especially when you meet other travelers from all over the world, you learn so much about where they're from, and also everyone has their own unique reason for being in Madrid or for doing what they're doing. I feel like everyone I've met has been incredibly motivated for different, but all truly amazing reasons, and it definitely inspires me to be more adventurous and appreciate what I have but also to keep learning and seeing new things and places on my own.
- Saboroso: means "flavorful" in Spanish, of course in reference to the Spanish food, some of the most delicious I think I have ever had! And the Spanish do Spanish food like no one else can replicate. They also only use real sugar in their coffee, make orange juice with only fresh squeezed oranges...none of this fake nonsense. Although someone was trying to ask me what the American word was for "zacarín," which he described essentially as "sugar without getting fat." Ah, splenda.
- Sundays in Parque del Retiro: one of the most picturesque places in all of Madrid is Parque del Retiro on a Sunday. Tons of street vendors, performers, magicians, fairs, community service events, puppet shows for kids, people bike riding, running, roller blading, families playing or napping with their kids in the grass, picnics like the ones we've had...everyone is just always out and enjoying the sunshine and I love sitting out there with my book or just people watching!
...and So much more! :)

And of course, things that I know I still have to look forward to in the States:
- Sleep: getting more of it! And a bed that feels a little less like a camping cot
- Savings Account: money goes faster in Spain, it must be a rule of physics or something. I had a frightening experience last week in which I thought I wasn't going to be able to make it into work because I didn't have 2 euro to my name to buy a train ticket...
- Shaping Up: missing the gym in a big way
- Salad
- Service: because it is not customary to leave tips here, the waiters and hosts at restaurants or food stands know it and treat you like they're not getting a tip. You have to flag someone down just to be seated, and will often be waiting sometimes an awkward amount of time to order/receive your food or the bill. Never did I ever think I'd be excited to hear "How's everything going over here?"
- Self-Serve Frozen Yogurt: obviously.
- Shows: while actually it´s been really nice not having a TV to waste time in front of, I miss all of my favorite TV shows! Plus, all of my trusted sites (Hulu, Netflix, etc) conveniently don´t function in Europe. Probably a good thing, because I´ve had too much to do here to waste time with TV, but I have some much anticipated marathons in front of me when I get back home
- Seeing all of you guys of course!