A Bunch of Confetti

Well, it has been awhile so I should probably catch up a bit. Let's see. What has happened?

The weather has made a turn for the awesome!! Clear blue skies, warm weather, no wind and occasional rain to keep us humble. I am loving it. I love taking my book off to Parque del Retiro.

I love this park, like a lot. It reminds me of Central Park in NYC. It is full of people just wandering and enjoying themselves. There is this huge, perfectly square pond they have made where you can rent a row boat and paddle around. There is this old man who plays this sweet soft saxophone. There are big huge buildings made of glass and adorable restaurants out on patios. It is fabulous! ANDDDD there is green grass!!! Yah! I don't think I have ever seen green grass in February in my lifetime. It is wonderful.

The first time I went was hilarious. I brought my book and found a bench in this secluded area where I could hear the sax, eat cookies, and read. Perfect! As I am reading, this bum walks up and sits right next to me. That is odd just on its own, but the awesome thing was that there were six empty benches right next to me. Haha!! Ohhh joy. I figured it was probably best for me to get out of there and not wait to see if he was going to rob me.

I wandered around a little more and found a bench in a busy area next to the crystal house where there are ducks and a pond and children frolicking through fields of daisies. Haha! Okay so no children. I had a splendid time reading Jane Austen and falling in love with her characters allllllll over again. I looked up and caught the eye of this guy as he walked by. He was cute yes but I don't like to encourage random strangers to hit on me so I quickly looked away but sadly that didn't stop him.

He proceeded to come and talk to me. I was polite and we had a pleasant conversation. I was strategically seated so that no one could sit on the bench with me. After awhile he started to tell me how lonely he was and how he was just looking for friends to hang out with and that I was very beautiful and he just wanted to get to know me blah blah blah. My thought, you have lived here for six years and you have no friends at all?? Sorry dude. I brushed it off and changed the subject and moved on but nope, after a couple minutes of small talk we were right back to that same situation. This time he moved from the arm rest of the bench and squished himself next to me. Foiled my plan!! And then he started the compliments and the “Woah is me, I have no friends”. This time though, he added in the “I am looking for a girlfriend” along with the “you have such a nice body”. Game over. I immediately starting thinking of excuses to get out. Didn't take too long cuz the minute he tried to put his arm around me and rub my back, I was out of there so fast. Haha! Oh it made me laugh. I love random run-ins with other people. Joy!!

I also went on a weekend trip to Cuenca. Thus place was pretty cool. We had a great panic moment first thing in the morning cuz obviously we were at the wrong station. Oops!!

It was a nice relaxed day. These little towns are super cute. They are built on hills, of course, which make for a great workout, especially if you get lost. It was great.

There are these houses called the hanging house. They are actually built out off the side of this cliff. It is crazy! You can walk across this small little pedestrian bridge and take pictures and act super touristy! I have not done the tourney thing very often in my life. Usually I jump in, live within the culture and maybe I will see a site or two. Thugs have been a little different here in Europe. I am touristing it up!!!

Cuenca also has a bunch of museums in it. I decided that I wanted to hit up the museum of abstract art. Why not!?? It was AWESOME! I went with two sisters on this trip, Raquel and Maria. We went into this museum and over analysed it all. It was right up my alley. I have never been so philosophical in my life. Haha!! Good times. Ohh and cool thing, turns out that the museum was INSIDE the hanging houses! We were standing out over this cliff. Wonderful.

Another thing we were able to do was to walk around the city on these little footpaths. It was awesome. You could walk out along the tip of the cliff and look out into the valley or you could walk down by the river and hear the rushing water around you. It was beautiful.

Finally, one of the biggest highlights for this trip for me was the cathedral we went to see. Every town has a cathedral, it was nothing new but it was a different experience in a couple ways. First, the girls I went with are Catholics. It was interesting to see their reactions and connection to the church. I often look at these buildings of pieces of art rather than the place of worship that they really are. They soaked up so much of it that we spent quite awhile inside which gives you more time to let your thoughts wander beyond the “Oh, look at the cool architecture” to what was the artist seeking to portray or thinking etc.

Also, one of the coolest things for me was this life-size carving of the Last Supper at the moment that Christ announces that one of His apostles would betray Him. It was impressive and very touching. I have seen many paintings of the Last Supper but nothing like this. It was amazing to see a portrayal of the final supper in life size. It was that much more touching and realistic. It seriously knocked my socks off! Loved it lots.

Yah, basically Europe is a blast and treating me quite well and I am seriously contemplating never leaving. Sorry Mom.