So after a 27 hour flight with three connections and traveling from 11 deg to 42 deg to 16 deg to 35 deg... My Europe Summer Holiday has finally started and what a first 2 days it has been!
Here are some of the things I've learnt so far...
- Despite what people say the French are actually really nice. Well in my brief introduction at Charles du Gaulle yesterday, I sat next to a lovely older French women on my flight from China to Paris, she chated about her grand kids and how she hoped they would grow up to be travelers like me. The conversation reminded me of my last with my own Nan, where before i left, I sat and talked to her about my trip and she expressed regret, that she hadn't travelled more, that it was something she was glad I was doing and said to me..."you only live once" (which has become my motto in life). I then met two lovely men in transit, waiting for our flight to Madrid, who sat and talked with me about my travel plans and their trip to India, their work as doctors and some tips on places to eat and drink at near my Paris apartment, for when I return. They even gave me advice on which were the best flavors of maccaroons from Ladurre. I settled on a 6 pack- Strawberry candy cane, pistachio, coconut, almond, salted caramel, violet!
-When your a single female traveller, you never eat alone! Thanks to Yugeo for breakfast, Jose for Lunch and Ignacious who took me for a dinner of authentic tapas and sangria at one of his favourite places!
- Madrid is actually really small...I seem to be getting more lost looking at a map, then simply setting off on foot to explore. I went out for a few hours yesterday determined to find the tapas and sangria bar El Tigre, the map showed it as 2 blocks away so after walking what seemed like 2 blocks I found I was actually 6 blocks from where I started and that the little tiny driveway size lane ways were actually streets. Today I took a few google map snapshots for guidance and and found everywhere I wanted to see by walking around in the general direction of where I wanted to go!
- There is a lot of unemployment in Spain and a lot of concern regarding the economical crisis of the Euro! Everyone seems to want to talk about it or want to leave Spain...
- It helps to have someone who can understand a little English and will order for you at restaurant. I tried to get a sandwich and after determining the waiter did not speak english...I ended up with a pork, lettuce, cheese panni. Yuck!
- There are frozen yogurt stores and stands everywhere. For 3 euro you get 2 scoops of yogurt and your choice of three toppings! I ordered berries, watermelon, dark chocolate flakes! So refreshing after walking around!
- Don't mix drinking Sangria, rebujito and vodka... Lethal hangover for my train ride to Valencia today!
- My most common words used so far... Hola, puede hablar inglais? No siento, and gracias...
- What I've noticed people saying to me.... Hola guapa, hola chica, hola hermosa, hola bonito, hola atractivo! So after a quick type into google translator...I seem to be saying gracias a lot!!!
- My Diana Ferrari Supersoft ballet slippers are a godsend!
- Most importantly... I must return to Madrid again in my life...
Here are some of the things I've learnt so far...
- Despite what people say the French are actually really nice. Well in my brief introduction at Charles du Gaulle yesterday, I sat next to a lovely older French women on my flight from China to Paris, she chated about her grand kids and how she hoped they would grow up to be travelers like me. The conversation reminded me of my last with my own Nan, where before i left, I sat and talked to her about my trip and she expressed regret, that she hadn't travelled more, that it was something she was glad I was doing and said to me..."you only live once" (which has become my motto in life). I then met two lovely men in transit, waiting for our flight to Madrid, who sat and talked with me about my travel plans and their trip to India, their work as doctors and some tips on places to eat and drink at near my Paris apartment, for when I return. They even gave me advice on which were the best flavors of maccaroons from Ladurre. I settled on a 6 pack- Strawberry candy cane, pistachio, coconut, almond, salted caramel, violet!
-When your a single female traveller, you never eat alone! Thanks to Yugeo for breakfast, Jose for Lunch and Ignacious who took me for a dinner of authentic tapas and sangria at one of his favourite places!
- Madrid is actually really small...I seem to be getting more lost looking at a map, then simply setting off on foot to explore. I went out for a few hours yesterday determined to find the tapas and sangria bar El Tigre, the map showed it as 2 blocks away so after walking what seemed like 2 blocks I found I was actually 6 blocks from where I started and that the little tiny driveway size lane ways were actually streets. Today I took a few google map snapshots for guidance and and found everywhere I wanted to see by walking around in the general direction of where I wanted to go!
- There is a lot of unemployment in Spain and a lot of concern regarding the economical crisis of the Euro! Everyone seems to want to talk about it or want to leave Spain...
- It helps to have someone who can understand a little English and will order for you at restaurant. I tried to get a sandwich and after determining the waiter did not speak english...I ended up with a pork, lettuce, cheese panni. Yuck!
- There are frozen yogurt stores and stands everywhere. For 3 euro you get 2 scoops of yogurt and your choice of three toppings! I ordered berries, watermelon, dark chocolate flakes! So refreshing after walking around!
- Don't mix drinking Sangria, rebujito and vodka... Lethal hangover for my train ride to Valencia today!
- My most common words used so far... Hola, puede hablar inglais? No siento, and gracias...
- What I've noticed people saying to me.... Hola guapa, hola chica, hola hermosa, hola bonito, hola atractivo! So after a quick type into google translator...I seem to be saying gracias a lot!!!
- My Diana Ferrari Supersoft ballet slippers are a godsend!
- Most importantly... I must return to Madrid again in my life...
