Star Wars in Spain and Some Actual Spanish Stuff

May "La Fuerza" be with you! That's "The Force" in Spanish! Yes, I went to a huge Star Wars exhibit last week. It had tons of original items, including costumes, miniatures, storyboards and concept drawings. So even though it's not very Spanish, of course I had to go (I covered my Trek tattoo for fear of being chased down the street by "Star Wars Reigns Supreme" Spaniards carrying burning torches). And of course I had to drag people with me (Thanks Alanna and Eddie!). And of course I had to make a big deal about it. We also went to "Escuela Jedi", or Jedi School, and we learned how wield our lightsabers to slay Imperial scum! Hearing Jedis speak Spanish was weird. And sexy. Funny how I'm in Spain seeing all this stuff when Lucasfilm studios are right in San Francisco. Oh, well.
Behold the Highlights:Wielding our lightsabers!
Sexy Spanish JedisAll of Padme's dresses. I'm so jealous!
Using La Fuerza on Vader.

Another perhaps more obvious trip I made last week was to Toledo. It's only a half an hour train ride away from Madrid, but it's completely different. Madrid is a big, modern bustling city. I mean, everyone has a cell phone. Toledo, however, looks like something from a fairy tale-all narrow, winding cobblestone streets, Gothic churches, beautiful gardens, a lazy river. . . . It's completely stuck in time. It's so beautiful, I loved it here, and it has lots of hills, so it felt like home!

In front of some royal building. It's hard to keep track. There's tons.The road to the beautiful Gothic Cathedral. Lot's of royal dead people inside! All of Toledo looks like this.
This isn't the cathedral, it's a much simpler Roman Catholic church. They let us climb up to the top in the bell tower and take photos. It was a really amazing view!The view of the Cathedral and Toledo from the bell tower.This is one of the monasteries and it's neighboring garden. So pretty!

Meanwhile, back in Madrid, I saw some not-so-shabby things. Plaza Mayor, the historic square is very beautiful and right near downtown. I went to a house party on Saturday and their apartment looked right over the plaza-no fair!

And the beautiful Neptune fountain is right across from the Prado Museum, so I get to visit him every Thursday!
AND last week I went to the Palacio Real, or Royal Palace. You're not allowed to take photos inside, but it's your basic, run of the mill, ridiculously over the top, ornate castle. It reminded me a lot of Versailles, if that helps anyone. They also had an impressive armory, complete with horsey armor! Is is messed up if I say it was cute? Because it was!

What a week! I've had fun exploring everywhere-there's so much to see! I've been here almost a month already, can you believe it? I feel like I'm running out of time! I'm glad I got out of my homesick-existential crisis-funk. Of course I miss people, but my friends are right, I shouldn't waste any time feeling sad. Who knows when I'll be in Europe again?

And like Gwen said, you'll get homesick, but next thing you know you won't want to leave Madrid. I'm already not looking forward to coming home to using BART, and I know I'll miss tapas and the architecture and cheap museums and my host family. Oh! I almost forgot: My "host brother" Esteban, is really into fencing, and last weekend we went to the national competition and won 3rd place! Here's a photo of us with his trophy:He says it's the first one he got that has a lid on it, haha.

This weekend we're going to Barcelona, I'm really excited! It's by the beach and there's a Gothic quarter and tons of Goya, and a hearse museum! Sounds like my kind of city.

Just in case you're thinking I'm getting too acclimated here and thinking about not coming back, don't worry! I already started a list of things I have to do immediately upon my return:
-Asian food! And lots of it!
-Manicure and pedicure. People don't really get them done here, so they're super expensive.
-Lucy and Star Trek fest
-Tivo session with Thomas. I miss bad VH1 shows. Don't tell anyone.
-Walk through the mission and go to all my favorite places- Lost Weekend, Mission Thrift, Paxton Gate, Borderlands, and WeBe Sushi.
-Mom's cookin'. Ain't nothin like it! (I think my return dinner will be the same as my farewell dinner- homemade mac and cheese. yum)
-Get reacquainted with my sewing machine and baking.
Side Note: When I get home I plan to start selling some of my sewing goodies online, or in local stores, so I'll have something to do slash look forward to when I come home. I think lots of people go through a sort of PSAD (Post Study Abroad Depression), and I'm trying to avoid that.

Wish me luck in Barcelona! It's a whole other language their-Catalan. Should be interesting. . . . .
Seeking Asylum,
Emily