I was taken on a drive to this beautiful little city just outside of Madrid. This is where Miguel de Cervantes was born, the writer of the infamous Don Quixote. My personal tour guide, Andres, taught me a lot about Don Quiote, Cervantes, and the city itself. I was amazed so much by this city. The university, which was founded in 1496 by Cardinal Cisneros, is still standing. On the entrance, or what is left of it, there were storks nests, it was beautiful. I absolutely loved the Plaza de Cervantes. And it was such a gorgeous day, there were tulips of pink and yellow in the small gardens, a beautiful gazebo, it was so nice to relax and have a cerveza in the middle of the square. I was told about the story of Don Quixote and how it is the 2nd most translated book in the world. The first is the Bible, how amazing is that! and I got to see every single translation of it, including the cryptological and the brail versions! I actually started reading Don Quixote, and so far, it's great. It's hilarious, sort of whimsical, I love it. We stopped for lunch at a restaurant named after Quixote's horse, Rocinante, which was amazing. I was taken to the Palace where Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand met Christopher Columbus and gave him the finances to discover the Americas.
It's amazing how much more you enjoy and appreciate places and monuments when you know the history and why these are places of historical importance. I learned so much that day. It was a perfect day. I couldn't believe how beautiful the weather was.
Now that I've been traveling around Spain, Portugal, and Ireland, I've really grown to appreciate Madrid and the culture here. I actually prefer spanish culture, I don't think I'll adjust going back to American culture. I feel like people here take the time to appreciate things, learn things. I think Alcala was a turning point for me on his journey so far. I cant even put in to words how I feel right now, I'm adjusting much to well here now. And someone in my apartment building is playing Joplin on the piano, beautiful, I love it. I miss my piano. Now I want to go to the piano bar for a 5 euro pitcher of sangria!
I am officially adopting the spanish culture. Sorry California.
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