Joyeux Quatre de Juillet!

Happy 4th of July! 

For those who didn't know, I'm back in the States for a visit for the summer, before heading off on my next adventure to....somewhere (hint, it's not cheeseland and it's not burgerland...).

So, today I'll be doing as Americans do, grilling varied meats on a grill, eating things in the colors of red, white and blue...

Maybe doing some themed arts and crafts...

Watching some fireworks in the evening...

And supporting les bleus. OK, that's not so American, but what can I say? All these years in Europe have changed me. I now say football instead of soccer, and I have an instinctive hope to see at least one of my adoptive countries keep going in the World Cup. 

Bleu, blanc, rouge...I love you!

I Heart Galicia!

It's no secret that I've never liked Madrid. Like I said a few posts ago, it just doesn't feel like real Spain, and that irks me. It feels so fake, so half-American...so pretentious! So many people there aren't personable. The weather sucks.

Wow, that's all so negative. But I'm just trying to explain why, despite being with an absolutely wonderful family and getting paid to take care of two kids who spoke marvelous English, I was not at my happiest in Madrid. I tried to make the best of it and explore the city, to immerse myself in real castellano (as opposed to a mix of Spanish and Galician), and even to appreciate the scorching heat.

But now that I'm done there (and have been for a month now), I feel like I can just can come out and say it--being back in Galicia is truly glorious. The weather is nice and cool, the food is fantastic and cheap, the people are friendly, and I just feel like I'm back home. I love Galicia and I'm not shy about shouting it from the rooftops!

Who wouldn't love a place like this?? It has everything!

Beautiful beaches--the water on the Islas Cíes was so blue it looked fake

Great views and the ocean to boot

Interesting geological phenomena like la Playa de las Catedrales

Mountains and rivers and great places to go hiking

Famous historical sites like the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela

Interesting musical heritage (bagpipes are cool, just like bowties)

Great food and wine, which also happens to be inexpensive

An interesting language that is not Spanish but still mostly comprehensible (unlike *ahem* Basque)

And last but not least, Celta de Vigo, a newly first-division fútbol team! (photo by the awesome Xose)

So, if you haven't been here, come! If you have, then you know exactly what I'm talking about. Que viva Galicia!

San Juan

I spent this past weekend going on a little jaunt up to León in order to celebrate the festival of San Juan, or the longest night of the year. There, I did the following things (in no particular order):

1. Ate loads and loads of food cooked by Spanish grandmothers

2. Saw the outside of this cathedral (we kept missing the times when the inside was open, which were at weird hours because of the festival)--

3. Saw Spain kick France's butt in the the Eurocopa 2012

4. Made chocolate chip cookies for a crowd of Spaniards, who gave their approval

5. Saw a fireworks show, during which I pretended it was the 4th of July since I won't get to see any fireworks then

6. After said fireworks, watched the burning of some figurines (from a political cartoon) in this gigantic bonfire--

7. Enjoyed the break from the broiling Madrid heat

8. Did not sleep very much

I hope your San Juan, or summer solstice, or whatever you want to call it, was spent in a similarly enjoyable manner!

Where Has the Time Gone??

Here we are past the end of the school year, and as usual with, well, time, I find myself wondering what happened. Wasn't it just January? I don't know where the time between then and now went, but it flew.

If you thought I was a bad blogger before, you must think I'm truly the worst blogger on Earth now. Or that I'm dead. Neither of which is actually the case...well, the first one I guess I can't really judge, but hopefully not. Anyway.

Part of the reason I've not been blogging is that I was really busy tying up the school year and saying goodbye to all of my friends. Then I was really busy moving. Yes, that's right, I moved! I'm now living in (well, near) Madrid, though just for the summer. I'm an au pair for a family here, and since I last posted I've been getting settled in and getting to know the family and the area. Oh, and also watching fútbol, lots of fútbol...since the Eurocup is currently going on and I've got to cheer on Spain.

But by now I'm pretty well accustomed to the scorching heat and dry landscape of where I live, as well as the people and the job. So I'm back to blogging, yay!

So currently I'm wondering if there are any current or former Madrileños out there who might want to echarme una mano and give me some suggestions of things I should make sure to do before I leave the area. I only have 6 more weeks to experience it all! Of course, I would also love to tomar un café with anyone who might be willing to help out someone new to the city. Thanks in advance.

This is the view from my morning run--I feel like I'm living in the desert!

I really love this one lone white house, it makes me think of Don Quixote and lonely windmills.

Oh, did I mention that I live in the town where the Spanish national soccer team trains? Obviously, no sightings right now since they're off in Poland kicking ass and taking names, but when they get back, I'm excited to try to see them!!