I have definitely not been a very faithful blogger as of late. I suppose it has something to do with being generally busy the vast majority of the time.
Two weeks ago Mom and Davina came for spring break. How awesome to see them! I picked them up at the bus station that Sunday night and after a few drinks in the Plaza Mayor, I let them get some rest. We spent Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday seeing the sights of Cáceres. Most of Monday consisted of touring the old part of the city, which is absolutely beautiful and unique. I also introduced mom and Davina to Manometro. My favorite waiter wasn't there :( but when we were about to leave the owner gave us a free round of beer (our fifth of the evening, uff da). When my mom asked why he said it's because I come there so much. Hahahaha. Gotta love being a regular. On Tuesday Isabel served lunch for all of us, and it was very cool to see my real mom meet my host mom. Isabel made my favorite foods for Mom and Davina-- garbanzo stew, tortilla de patata, fresh tomatoes, peppers, and onions, and of course, pan and fruit. Isabel was the happiest I'd seen her in a long time-- it's been a rough past month or so for her. She takes great joy and pride in serving people, and it's obvious to see that her fame for cooking is well deserved. After lunch she pulled out the traditional holy week head dress that women here wear, and both mom and Davina got to try it on. This particular one is antique, and Isabel wore it when she was young, too. After we wrapped things up at Isabel's mom, Davina, and I climbed up the mountain. The weather was nice and hot the whole time they were here, and it was perfect weather to get a tan that day :) We enjoyed some drinks at the bar at the top, and then watched the sunset over Cáceres. Wednesday morning found me in class, and Mom and Davina walked to campus to check out where I go to school. We walked to the train station that afternoon to buy tickets to Madrid, and then spent the rest of the evening relaxing and savoring their last night in Cáceres. I also introduced them to La Guinda that day. Needless to say, they loved it... so much that they made us go twice! Best pastries in the world <3
Thursday we headed off to Madrid. We got there midday, and after a big meal of paella and sangria, we went to the Prado and the Parque de Retiro. The Prado gets me everytime-- Velázquez, Goya, Picasso, Renoir, Rembrandt, Monet, el Greco... so many works of great artists all in one place. We devoted Friday morning to the Royal Palace, then had sangria en la Plaza Mayor before moving on to Puerta del Sol. We found a great Indian restaurant in a sketchy neighborhood. It was definitely a hole-in-the-wall, but so cheap and so good! Saturday was an early morning, as mom and Davina had to get to the airport and fly out. We parted ways in the metro. I was kind of sad to see them go, but so glad they came. In the past three years we've been to Haiti, England, and Spain together, and I feel like I've grown a lot closer to both of them, especially my mom.
This past week in Cáceres has been a lot of playing catch-up on things I didn't do while Mom and Davina were here and things I need to get done before spring break (which is coming up soon and I can't wait!!!). A few highlights: snuggling lots with Guillermo, La Guinda and Manometro with Tiffani, Cassidy, and Angélica Thursday night, going and seeing The Vow in theaters with a big group of ISU girls and Spanish girls (such an awesome movie-- Channing Tatum stole my heart!), and going out to Oxigeno for drinks on Saturday night. Not so enjoyable parts of the week: being sick and spring forward. But hey, it happens. And considering everything good I've got going on here, no complaints :)