Es mi cumpleaños

It's been a bit since my last post... it has been birthday fun all around!

The 21st (the day before my birthday) was a Royal (or Real) Day! We started out by visiting (and actually getting into) the Palacio Real. We sprung the extra 2 euros for the guided tour which was great... you should have seen the coffee room... and a different room for each meal of the day. Must have been nice! About 2o rooms are open to the public (out of 2,000+) and each was more impressive then the next. Frescos and silk covered walls to plaster vines and cherubs melded to the walls. All very very impressive! No pictures allowed inside so you will have to take my word for it. We did get a ton outside of the grounds.



We then popped next door to the Catedral de la Almundena (the Royals didn't have to walk very far!) Which was very pretty. We then headed to check out Plaza de Cibeles which was suppose to have a beautiful fountain... however when we got there it was under construction :(

We then headed back to eat, change, and get ready for the Real Madrid fútbol game. WHOOOOOOOO-HOOOOOOOOOO! Then we realized the game started (that's right STARTED) at 10PM! Can you imagine a SENS game starting at 10pm! Crazy! Well, considering the earliest you can go for dinner is 8:30... 10pm is not insane!

Making our way to the stadium we were pumped and a bit worried... but they know how to put on a game... I can't believe they got 80,000 people in and out in no time! I think it helped that they don't serve beer... not drunkin' fools... well maybe a few pre-drinkers but we didn't see any.

The game rocked seeing 3 goals! Real Madrid won 3 to 0 against Espanyol.







Due to the lateness of the game I was able to celebrate my birthday in the stadium! Super awesome! Catchin' the subway back we were home by 1am!

We got up early this morning to head to Toledo... the 10:20 train was sold out so we took the 12:20 one arriving just before 1pm. We did some shopping. I bought some very very yummy caramels (no worries Mom, I picked up some chocolates and caramels for you!) and a knife (Toledo is know for their knifes and swords.)

They are also know for having over 80 churches for the city. We visited Toledo's Catedral which was very beautiful. I would say probably one of the most beautiful Cathedrals I've been to. The most interesting part is the hole they put in the ceiling (to allow more light for mass) and the added beautiful angels and sculptures leading to the light. It was very impressive. So was the art gallery in the cathedral, including an interesting piece by El Greco who lived in Toledo.

We're back safe and sound from Toledo and I suspect the rest of our day will be relaxing... getting ready for the very early morning flight to Granada (okay the flight is at 8am but when you have breakfast at 9am, lunch at 3pm, and dinner at 9pm... 8am flight is crazy early!)

I can't believe I'm leaving Madrid... I'm going to miss it for sure!