10 Cities in 10 Days.

After getting moved to Extremadura, the next adventure was set to begin. 10 Cities in 10 Days. While we hadn't planned anything in advance, we had a plan in mind and we set off! 

Zach (a friend from Missouri) and I had decided to travel together... visiting his old friends/roommate in Madrid, finally visiting Asturias for me (and him) to make me happy, returning to Running of the Bulls (for him) and my first time seeing the toros, going to Barcelona (for him) to make him happy and my third visit to the wonderful city & to visit two friends of mine who live/are from there, and ending in Madrid with his friends again to do some day trips and catching up time!

In the end...

Madrid. Oviedo. Gijon (beach day!). San Sebastian (changing buses), Pamplona. Zaragoza (changing buses). Barcelona. Madrid. Avila. El Escorial. Ten cities in ten days. Wow, we were busy! 

Madrid's Barajas Airport, where I spent 5 hours waiting for Zach... delayed flights stink! I ended up buying a book to pass the time. I wrote some blogs. I took a siesta. This was my "view"...

After Zach arrived, we went for a relaxing day in the park; we had some refreshing drinks and enjoyed the Spanish sun. After, we headed to Augustin's flat (Zach's old roommate) where we were staying. After a tasty Mexican dinner and some Coronitas, we called it a night!

Day two was spent with Rocio, Zach's friend (and now mine!), visiting the Royal Palace and main historical buildings in the center of Madrid. Later in the day we visited the Residencia de Estudiantes, where many famous men came together and studied. This was Zach's fave.

Walking from the Residencia to Parque Retiro to meet up with Gonzalo, Rocio's boyfriend and another of Zach's friends, we stopped by the United States Embassy! Happy 4th of July!!!!

On Day 3, we made our way from Madrid to Oviedo, Asturias, in Northern Spain. I was pleasantly surprised by how beautiful Oviedo was! Wow! Many of my Westminster friends have studied abroad in Oviedo, and I was happy to finally see it for myself!

For lucnh, we had fabada, arroz con leche, and Asturian sidra! You have to pour it over your head into the glass. I was happy the waiter poured it for us, because I've tried to do it before, and more ended up on my feet than in the cup!

Day 4: Beach day in Gijon!!! Unfortunately, the tied was rising...and rising...
and we were kicked off the beach just after a few hours. But we enjoyed a nice bocadillo at the beach and enjoyed the Spanish sun for a little while before we were forced to leave!

Gijon, a coastal beach town in Asturias, is absolutely lovely! Check out that sky over the port! After the beach was a no-go, we spent time exploring other places of Gijon before heading back to Oviedo.

Day 5: Due to last minute plans and a lack of busses/trains/transportation in general to get to Pamplona, we had to pay extra to go on the express bus to San Sebastian, then a second bus to Pamplona. But, the express bus was the coolest bus EVER. Seats with fold out foot rests (real ones, none of those that flip out from the seat in front of you), individual TVs, free water, free sandwiches and sodas for our dinner snack, a bus attendant, and free gifts when you arrived to your stop: little magnetic people clips that stick together and form a piece of "art". It was the fastest, most comfortable 5 hour bus ride: EVER!

The Picos de Europa around us were so breathtaking! I think Northern Spain has some of the most beautiful scenery I've ever seen. Due to window glares and constant tunnels, I couldn't get too great of photos in the really pretty places, so this will have to do! But, still, look at those mountains!

Later on Day 5, after a stop in San Sebastian, we finally made it to Pamplona for the Running of the Bulls festival. Picture 500,000 people, dressed in red and white... partying in the streets for 10 days straight... drinking wine. Let's just say, Los Fermines is a fiesta you should experience once in your life. By the end of 10 hours, you're sick of seeing red and white clothing, drunk people, stepping on trash and people. Yes, people.

We couldn't leave Pamplona's bull festival without riding one... my favorite ride: El Toro Loco! Zach and I both had battle wounds on our hands and legs from falling off!!

Dressed in red and white, blending right in with the crowd. 

A little taste of the bulls! :)

After sleeping in the park, we got up early on day 6 to go see the bulls run! There are 10 bulls and some other cows running down the streets around 7:30am. The bulls were inside two rows of fencing, and all the people (who were smart not to run!) were packed behind them. While it was a bit uncomfortable and super hot, it was over rather quickly and we made our way to the bus station, which was an experience all on its own!

People slept wherever people could sleep. The tv monitors didn't work, so you had to walk around to find your bus... 6 buses left for Zaragoza at the same time... which was ours? What. A. Mess. Well, in order to get to the doors of the buses, you had to step over the people still sleeping/passed out from too much wine. My 50+ pound suitcase didn't help matters - good thing Zach was strong!

Day 6, in the afternoon/evening, was spent exploring La Rambla and its surrounding areas in Barcelona - like, the Plaza Mayor seen above. We were able to meet up with an Irish friend of mine, Seodhna, who I met in Salamanca. Together, we all went around the Gothic quarters, near Bacelona's port, before stopping for tapas.

Barcelona's port at sunset. Yet another amazing view!

On day 7, we explored Gaudi's Parque Guell, that has nice views of Barcelona below. Good thing they had esclators to climb the hills to get there, or I'm still not sure if I'd have made it to the top! What a fantastic place - the tile work, the design - it just let you in awe!

Zach wanted to see the 1992 Olympic park, so we went. This view is overlooking the magic fountain, Plaza Espana, and the Plaza de Toros (all seen on the left of the photo!) Later in the night, we returned to the magic fountain (thinking we would see the light show - but it only happens on certain nights in the summer - bummer!) where we bought beers from the guys walking around and enjoyed the nice summer weather, before we met up with my other friend, Edu, who lived in Valladolid this year! We spent the night going out on the town, which was way too much fun!

After visiting the Olympic stadium, we needed some refreshments. Healthy ones! We stopped by the San Josep Market just off la Rambla. These fresh fruit slushes were wonderfullllll. What kind do you want?

After trying to visit the Cathedral of Barcelona, (we visited La Sagrada Familia earlier in the morning) and were unsuccessful due to my sundress, we wandered through the Gothic area again and found this wonderful side street! How pretty is that walkway?!

After spending the 8th morning on the high speed train (thank you Zach!) we made it back to Madrid to spend the evening/nigh with Rocio and Gonzalo. We went to El Escorial, a town/monastary about half an hour from Madrid. Later in the night, we had a nice dinner with their friends!

Day 9 included churros for breakfast followed by a fun day trip to Avila, with Rocio, Gonzalo, and two of their friends. We hiked the city walls that surround Avila's old town. We had incredible views of the city below as we circled the town from high above. We had a wonderful home made dinner at Gonzalo's house, with some of the best tortilla espanola I've ever had prepared by Gonzalo's mom! 

Day 10 was a day full of traveling - from Spain back to Missouri. Rocio and Gonzalo took us to the airport where Zach and I met up with Rodrigo, the 12yr old Spanish student from Navalmoral de la Mata, who was coming to spend three weeks in the USA at a summer camp and then with my family and me. We said goodbyes to Rodrigo's family and headed for our plane! After stops in Miami and Chicago, we were happy to be home! 

I had an incredible time traveling during my last days in Spain for the 2011-2012 school year. I'm so glad Zach decided to come visit, as it's always nice to travel with friends and family from back home! We had great experiences in places that were new/old for both of us and wonderful friends to meet up with along the way! Thanks for a fun adventure, Zach!