Spring in Madrid has my heart.

Felicidades, lots of Happiness! Happylations!

Yesterday I went exploring Madrid. I've been in Madrid for a month now and I saw it in a whole new light. Went walking around the Prado and Botanical Gardens and was very pleased to find that tulips were blooming everywhere! Tulips! Incredibly beautiful. All the trees along the streets are beginning to bloom pinks and purples, the trees are showing their leaves in arrays of brilliant greens that contrast perfectly with the buildings and the fountains. I took a peak inside the Botanical Garden gates and there were rows upon rows of tulips in every color you can imagine. I bought a painting of Don Quixote from a street artist, love it. It's kind of small, I might find a larger canvas one, I saw some great pieces at Plaza Mayor as well, gorgeous flamenco paintings, might have to invest in one!

I discovered a part of Madrid I've never seen before, and it was only a couple blocks away from my apartment; The Temple of Debod. It is so beautiful. I learned that it is an Egyptian sanctuary that was sent from Egypt over two thousand years ago and it's one of the few monuments that can be seen outside of Egypt. It sits on top of a hill over looking the entire city. The monument sits in a small pool of water and is surrounded by a park. I think I found my new reading and homework spot! I ended the night at the Metal Bar. I really like this place. It plays great spanish rock and punk music, kind of sounds like classic rock. It was my kind of place. There were places to sit and just listen, or rock out, to the music and drink a Leche de Pantera (Panther's Milk- milk, gin, triple sec, grenadine, and cinnamon) or Calimocho (red wine and Coca Cola). There was absolutely no Lady Gaga, Keane, Keisha, or whatever pop, R&B music is popular in America right now. I loved it!!

Salud!

Salud - Health, to drink to someone's health. I'm very healthy :)

Also, another toast I learned that I like is "Arriba, abajo, al centro, pa'dentro!" (raise your glass, lower your glass, bring glass to the center, inside!)