Documenting My Travels In Spain By: Annabelle Mackey

Today's guest blogger is student Annabelle Mackey! Take it away Annabelle!

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Since arriving to study abroad in Madrid, Spain, I’ve found every day to be an adventure. Whether it be enjoying churros and coffee before settling in my homestay, exploring the renowned museums with my friends, or late nights with my roommate, there’s always something new to learn every day when abroad. Here are some of the highlights of Madrid that I’ve discovered during my time exploring:

The Museums

There’s a reason why Madrid is a major tourist attraction. Whether it be the Reina Sophia, Prado, or Thyssen, all of the museums are worth visiting, but I’ve found my fondest memories to come from the people I’ve been with when visiting (or attempting to visit) the museums. During my first week, my roommate and I decided to visit the Prado and see the world-famous Las Meninas. Disturbed by the seemingly endless line, we did not make it into the building that day. Instead, we decided to walk around the botanical gardens next door. While underwhelmed by the lack of flowers, the botanical gardens set the tone for a leisurely, music filled walk and numerous Instagram-worthy photos. After the excursion, we attempted to visit yet another museum: Museo del Jamon. It was a disappointment that the Museo del Jamon was in fact not a museum and rather a jamon store, but the numerous sizes and variations still left me satisfied with yet another cultural experience.

The Stores

If you plan on taking a trip to Spain, my number one piece of advice is to pack very, very light. Seriously. As someone who prefers to be conservative with money, I’ve found that I can’t resist my temptations to be frivolous and shop several days a week. Shopping has become one of the most enjoyable aspects I’ve experienced when bonding with friends around the city. There’s always something new you can find in the windows of boutiques. Particularly, the thrift stores have been the most enjoyable. Depending on your location, the clothes can be a hit-or-miss, but in general, you can find some very fashionable, Spain-specific items for much more reasonable prices than some of the Spanish clothing stores.

The Food

Some of the best memories come from when you have a plate of food in front of you. In Spain, that very much holds true. While the flavors can be a little bit of an adjustment for some people at first, adventuring with food in Spain is a must. Personally, I’ve made it a hobby to taste-test the different churros in various churrerias and cafes. When you have the time for a sit-down meal, it is necessary to try tapas. On one of my weekends, I met up with a teacher from my hometown and had some of the best tapas in my life from Taberna Moderna.

Spain Must-Tries: Calamari Bocadillos, Churros, Porras, Croquetas, Paella, Tortilla Española

The People

This may seem a little sappy, but I’ve met some amazing people through this program. I’ve made new friends, bonded with my roommate, and laughed the hardest I’ve ever laughed. I’m always excited to go to Spanish class each day because of my teacher’s engaging teaching style. My roommate and I have become very close and are completely uninhibited around each other. I’ve discovered friends who share my love for art and architecture. Whether it be my host family, Program Leader, or friends, everyone through CIEE has pushed me to try new things and embrace the city of Madrid!