Malo Madrid

Today is my last full day in Spain! I fly out of Madrid's airport tomorrow afternoon.

I caught a 6am bus from Valencia to Madrid this morning, wanting to spend my last day exploring a new Spanish city. I've visited the second and third largest cities in Spain, why not top off my trip with the first?

Well, maybe I shouldn't have come. For many reasons.

1. I am out of money. Literally do not have 1 euro to my name. Not even a cent! And I have no access to cash. Getting to the airport tomorrow is going to be interesting...

2. It is World Youth Day. Over 1 million people from all over the world have come to greet the Pope, who arrived in Madrid around the same time as I did. It is cool to see all of the flags and different people crawling all over the streets, but not very cool when you get flash mobbed and are unable to move for over an hour and a half. I had hands on my face, on my waist, in my hair, and tears on my cheeks. For being a joyous occasion, it sure was terribly pushy.

I would have loved to spend my last day in Spain exploring Madrid and getting a feel for this last city, but instead I'm cooped up in my hostel, unable to walk due to the crowds and unable to go get those chocolate churro things due to lack of dinero. Booooo.

I did mange to push my way through the crowds to see the top things on my to do list. I saw the Plaza Meyor, the Palacio Real, Plaza del Sol. The other sights will have to wait until my next visit. Apologies to my boss, Cheryl, for being unable to make it to the Reina Sofía for your postcard. The crowd outside was too thick to even think of fighting through.

But maybe this is what I needed. Finally, Spain isn't perfect. Finally I'm thinking, "Ok, maybe it is time to go home." Because yesterday in Valencia, those were not the thoughts running through my head. I wanted to stay. I wanted to start a new life in my new Spanish city. I was going to miss my plane and start anew.

But after the craziness of today, I think I can say:
I am ready to go back to sane little ole' Charleston.