We´ve come full circle

Vwalah! we are back in Madrid, just like that. We are staying at a new hostel here, Way hostel, and we´ve ran into two people from Lisbon. Is it just me, or is Europe smaller than it looks on a map?

I could not post pictures in Paris, due to the fact that internet cafes are pricy, but we saw everything there was to see. We proved some rumors to be false as well:
Parisians are not at all rude to English speakers. In fact, they are always pleasantly surprised to hear a parlay voo ingles?
And you don´t really have to pay for toilettes. This learned fact proved to be true with copious amounts of relief.

I will post all of the pictures Tuesday, when I return to America.

We also did some funny/fancy things in Paris that were a bit out of the ordinary. We stumbled across a bar that served juice and cocktails in baby bottles. It´s all kind of ridiculous, because they make you draw out your beverage, and they have cartoon names for everything. The place was called Zero de conduite, and we played board games while suckin´on baby bottles. Oh what a city. I guess it´s trendy to regress a decade!

But ohh, it feels nice to be back in Madrid. We connected with Wall street Nick last night, who is now starting up a business that is sort of top secret so I can´t put the URL up, but when it is full throttle you bet I´ll promote it. This business apparently involves 20 minute conference calls that turn into 2 hour conference calls when we´re waiting on him. Nick, for a business man, you surely have bad timing. Though, I´m surprised how much he´s got going for him here in Madrid now that we´ve returned. He´s in meetup groups, gone on a few dates, and has this business. If I wanted to work for wallstreet, I´ve acquired the appropriate connectionis. Ew, business.

So, we met up with Nick last night and went to one of our favorite Tapas places, El Tigre, and enjoyed some of our last munchin´ food of Madrid. Nik was teaching us that Notorious BIG´s TEN CRACK COMMANDMENTS apply to the business world. I won´t go into details, but I think he should do a thesis. Hmmm?

Now, I am fully ready to return. I will enjoy this last day in Madrid and go to the Retiro. I will probably see Nik for the last time, and I will walk the paths I did when I first wrote in this blog. Anything I decide to do, I will in fact do so by seizing it and enjoying it in the best way possible.

You can still expect more from this blog. On Tuesday I will be posting all of the pictures and explaining them. But thanks for reading! It has been nice to document this hoping someone will be inspired to take a trip of their own, because it is something that should not be avoided.

Adios! and as a true Madrid Spaniard would say: Vale! Vale! Vale!

Lost in Translation

I just arrived in Lisbon yesterday, and it is the most beautiful place I've ever seen. I'm not just saying that either.

Our hostel is called traveler's house, look it up. It won best hostel of the year this year, and I don't disagree. Our room is lovely, and last night we ate piri piri while sitting on bean bag chairs.

Danny and I don't know a drop of Portuguese and seem to be finding ourselves in a bit of a language train wreck. Yesterday, I ended up face to face with a cashier and I both saying "Oh no no no." I guess I've never felt vocally helpless until now. I do have some nice face conversations with old women when I get up for them on the tram.

Older people in Lisbon are maybe kind of mean? You, as in you a younger person, are supposed to approach them with the utmost respect. Nothing less is tolerated. They talk loud on trams after making you give up your seat for them, you feel like you are required to feel bad for them and hold their arms while walking in the tram. I don't know, to me it is all a hoax. Why don't they get down like the grammy and grampys of Madrid? I don't get it. I don't want to.

Danny and I took the tram the wrong way, and ended up on the wrong hill, and spent the wrong 1.40. It was worth it I suppose. We met a cute British couple who did the exact same thing, and had a "lovely stroll." When we finally ended up on the right tram, we ventured through the oldest district in Lisbon and saw an incredible view of it as well. I took pictures, and will post them in the next couple of days.

Now we are relaxing, or at least I am. Danny went to see a castle, and came back after not finding it for an hour. I am content with my decision to take a summer nap with the window open to an exquisite city called Lisbon.

Minus four days

I will make this brief, considering this post is the introduction to a personal journey. I currently live in Kansas City, but I can't seem to suppress the urge to want to see more of this beautiful earth. Two days ago I threw a poorly designed graduation cap goodbye to the k12 school system. Now, with college ahead, and no responsibilities as of this very moment, I am spending all of my waitress tips on a month long voyage through Europe. That's right, I am placing all my money into one deep, new bag and traveling to Europe in four days. (I am bolding out of excitement).

Okay, so another boring travel blog whatever, whatever. Believe me, I am aware. But since I was given two flip camcorders for graduation and Christmas through the course of this year, I have decided to put them to great use and make a video blog. I guess the correct terminology would be vlog or something.

First stop-Madrid, Spain
Second stop-Lisbon, Portugal
Third stop-Barcelona, Spain
Fourth stop-Paris, France.

So, starting each night (hopefully), and if not every other night. I will be posting videos of my sabbatical. I am really hoping to gain advice from others who have traveled to these places and know some interesting (not lame touristy) spots. So enjoy my personalized, daring travel guide via video and blogging, and please, please seize the day.

-Paige.

Carpe diem quam minimum credula postero