Since my last post, the world has quite simply lost it's sh*t. COVID-19 has evolved into a pandemic and caused panic across the globe, causing people to lose their minds and stock up on toilet roll, and wiping the supermarkets of everything else as well.
UAM, in line with the strict measures Madrid is putting in place in an attempt to contain the virus (after letting International Women's Day marches go ahead - a minor slip up to say the least), has closed for two weeks. I've received an email from my uni, giving students abroad the opportunity to come home, of which I was initially dismissive. But since hearing that some of my other friends here are being ordered home, and that some unis in the UK have ceased in-class teaching until September, I feel as though choosing to book a flight and come back is probably the right decision. Not to mention the fact all my other flatmates have either left/leaving/ are unable to return, so I'd be stuck on my own for two weeks, also without the possibility of seeing a physio, but that's a different story. So thanks for talking some sense in to me Mum. Hopefully Bham are okay with this, as at the time of writing they haven't actually approved my individual request of continuing my studies in the UK!
Today I've packed, went to see my good friend Juan to say goodbye, and eaten too much food in an attempt to waste as little as possible. Typical that I bought about a week's worth in order to prep for the siege and then spontaneously change my plans as a result of the government stepping up the intensity of their measures. I'll be going to bed in about three hours, as I'll be up at 03:30 in order to be in the airport in plenty of time. I'm taking no chances. FCO is currently advising against all travel to Madrid, and I don't want to be in a situation where I can no longer leave Madrid/enter the UK.
I have mixed feelings at the moment. I'm really excited the go home, but I'm also a little bit disappointed that this is the way I have to end my study abroad year; can't say I ever saw it coming. I understand the seriousness of the situation, but it's also a little bit funny.
Reflecting on my year, whilst it definitely wasn't what I was expecting, and wasn't necessarily everything I hoped it would be before I came out, I've still visited some great places, met some cool people, made some great memories, and I've also learnt a lot about myself in the past few months. I know this sounds very gap year cliché, and is what I would have described it as before actually experiencing it, but it's true. I've had a lot of time to reflect since September, and I've learnt what my priorities are, what I want from life, what matters to me, where I feel most at home, and I've built up some positive habits in the process. So for that I'm extremely grateful. So wish me luck for getting back to the UK smoothly, and good luck surviving the end of humanity.
Sunday 15 March 2020
Monday 2 March 2020
Celebrations!
It feels like it's been a while since my last post; I've just been waiting till everything calms down - it's all been fairly non-stop!
First thing to say is that I somehow I passed my exams which was a bit of a miracle. That means I've only got to pass one module this semester in order to pass the year which takes a lot of the pressure off! But I do, however, have to do two essays for Bham which actually count towards my degree alongside all my other studies, so there is a bit more to do in that sense.
Since exams, I've been to watch the Superbowl with my flatmates which was good fun! The game didn't start until 00:00 Madrid time, which meant it didn't finish until 04:00 ish. But of course I didn't last that long - especially since I didn't really understand what was going on, and it turns out there are a lot of breaks in the game-play of American football... But the half-time show made it all worth going to - it was utterly ridiculous and completely unrelated to football which I just found amusing. Shakira performed with JLo. The atmosphere was great seeing as we watched it at Dubliners which was absolutely packed with other Amercians, making for an an enjoyable cultural experience overall, even if it wasn't a Spanish one!
Valentines day was more entertaining than usual. I bought doughnuts for the rest of the flat, which they enjoyed and couldn't believe they were vegan. Taylor and Caroline bought sweets for everyone which was a lovely gesture. After an entertaining pres at the flat, we went to meet some of Taylor's friends who played a lot of techno. That should have set my alarm bells ringing but for some reason it didn't occur to me that we'd end up going to a club of a similar style. Not only was it a similar style, but it was a lot harder, louder and generally even less entertaining. So I ended up leaving pretty early and getting a fairly early night so I can't complain too much I guess.
The next celebration was for Carnaval - which I didn't really realise was a thing. Whilst we have pancake day in the UK in the build up to lent, Spain as a Catholic country celebrates for a few days before hand. José told me to dress up to go out on Friday night so I went to buy myself a costume - I ended up with a fairly mediocre viking costume which didn't brake the bank. I met him that evening and to my relief he was also dressed up (as the Pope); I was worried he was just having me on. We left his flat and went to get a quick drink before heading into town. Nobody else was dressed up in the bar - concerning, I thought, but it was quite early, and some Spaniards would still be having their tea. We set off into town, and we turned a lot of heads to say the least. I still thought that we probably wouldn't see any people dressed up until we got closer to Sol. I was both right and wrong. We got to Dubliners and I still couldn't see anybody else dressed up. I've never felt both so uncomfortable and at ease. I didn't know any of these people and would never see them again - so it was both embarrassing and extremely hilarious. We ended up at Shoko, and everyone kept asking José for pictures - but not me, thank god. Needless to say, I doubt I'll ever forget that night. José went out on the Saturday as well in the same costume, and apparently everyone else was dressed up this time - we were a day early. So thanks for that José.
A couple days later it was Tuesday 25th - my 21st birthday! My flatmate Caroline surprised me a selection of cakes from Freedom Cakes which was super lovely to come home to, especially seeing as she went quite out of the way to research where to get vegan cake and then travel to get it! That evening whilst I was cooking my banana pancakes (because it was also Shrove Tuesday), Christian had a go at unblocking the sink - a task in which he succeeded. Sort of. He unscrewed the pipe which simply let all of the pressure, and resulting water and rice which was blocking it, out all over the floor. The three of us (Caroline, Christian and me) simply stared in disbelief, and then started laughing, and couldn't stop for a good while.
The following day was Ash Wednesday, and I went with Caroline and her friend to check out the final festival of Carnaval - el Entierro de la Sardina. I'd learnt about it during A2 Spanish and so was really eager to experience it - but due to the lack of information online about it, I was a bit sceptical about whether it was going to be a waste of time or not. Well, I couldn't have been more wrong to doubt it. It was fantastic to say the least. It was the strangest thing I've seen since being here, but at the same time one of the most enjoyable. Everyone dresses up in black, and there are a select few that are the centre of the parade, carrying a little coffin which supposedly contains a dead sardine. There was a band playing music, quite a few people were drinking, and there were people dressed up in much bigger mascot costumes - of what, however, I still don't know! As the parade went on and the sunlight turned to darkness, the tone of the music changed. What was at first a celebration of the fish's life was turning into its funeral. Those in black lit flaming torches and the procession continued towards Casa de Campo. At the end of the parade, the coffin was placed in the centre of a circle, and set alight by the torches. After the flames had died down a bit, in what was another turn of the roller coaster of an evening, everyone started jumping over the flames - with no protection! Could not believe what I was watching! Kids as young as what looked like seven were doing it as everyone else cheered. This festival just confirmed to me how much the Spanish love a fiesta, and the wackier the better.
The Friday of that week, I went to meet my best friend Vic at the airport who was coming to stay for the weekend. We spent the evening exploring Sol and the main attractions in the 19 degree sunshine (weird for February I know) before going for food. We started Saturday by going to brunch at one of my favourite places in Madrid: Bunny's deli. Afterwards, we headed over to Retiro Park. However, disappointingly the weather wasn't good as the previous day - it was fairly cold and super windy! But that didn't stop the several jazz bands we saw from busking. In the evening we decided to go and watch 1917 at the cinema, to which we arrived late. And of course, for a country that supposedly arrives late for everything, the film started on the dot. In the evening, we cooked up a storm and made our own tapas saving some money: patatas bravas and pan con tomate. They were both so tasty and it was nice to have someone to cook with for once! On Sunday, I showed her the Rastro market before going for lunch at Punto Vegano. Next we went up the Faro de Moncloa, something I hadn't yet done myself and which we were unable to do the day before because it was so windy. The view was superb and it was so peaceful at the top with hardly any other people and no traffic whatsoever! Before taking her back to the airport, I took her to La Latina to show her round some of the prettiest streets in Madrid in my opinion. Thanks for coming Vic; it was great to see you, and I'll see you in a month for your 21st!
And that's pretty much it for this update. My Derecho Ambiental class starts in about an hour, which I haven't had for the past four weeks. So for the next ten weeks I have a two hour class every Monday and Wednesday evening. Disgusting, I know.
My next update will probably after Mum, Dad, Ruth and Jon have come to visit me (or not, depending on how quickly Corono spreads) in early April. So chao for now!
Photos to follow at some point.
First thing to say is that I somehow I passed my exams which was a bit of a miracle. That means I've only got to pass one module this semester in order to pass the year which takes a lot of the pressure off! But I do, however, have to do two essays for Bham which actually count towards my degree alongside all my other studies, so there is a bit more to do in that sense.
Since exams, I've been to watch the Superbowl with my flatmates which was good fun! The game didn't start until 00:00 Madrid time, which meant it didn't finish until 04:00 ish. But of course I didn't last that long - especially since I didn't really understand what was going on, and it turns out there are a lot of breaks in the game-play of American football... But the half-time show made it all worth going to - it was utterly ridiculous and completely unrelated to football which I just found amusing. Shakira performed with JLo. The atmosphere was great seeing as we watched it at Dubliners which was absolutely packed with other Amercians, making for an an enjoyable cultural experience overall, even if it wasn't a Spanish one!
Valentines day was more entertaining than usual. I bought doughnuts for the rest of the flat, which they enjoyed and couldn't believe they were vegan. Taylor and Caroline bought sweets for everyone which was a lovely gesture. After an entertaining pres at the flat, we went to meet some of Taylor's friends who played a lot of techno. That should have set my alarm bells ringing but for some reason it didn't occur to me that we'd end up going to a club of a similar style. Not only was it a similar style, but it was a lot harder, louder and generally even less entertaining. So I ended up leaving pretty early and getting a fairly early night so I can't complain too much I guess.
The next celebration was for Carnaval - which I didn't really realise was a thing. Whilst we have pancake day in the UK in the build up to lent, Spain as a Catholic country celebrates for a few days before hand. José told me to dress up to go out on Friday night so I went to buy myself a costume - I ended up with a fairly mediocre viking costume which didn't brake the bank. I met him that evening and to my relief he was also dressed up (as the Pope); I was worried he was just having me on. We left his flat and went to get a quick drink before heading into town. Nobody else was dressed up in the bar - concerning, I thought, but it was quite early, and some Spaniards would still be having their tea. We set off into town, and we turned a lot of heads to say the least. I still thought that we probably wouldn't see any people dressed up until we got closer to Sol. I was both right and wrong. We got to Dubliners and I still couldn't see anybody else dressed up. I've never felt both so uncomfortable and at ease. I didn't know any of these people and would never see them again - so it was both embarrassing and extremely hilarious. We ended up at Shoko, and everyone kept asking José for pictures - but not me, thank god. Needless to say, I doubt I'll ever forget that night. José went out on the Saturday as well in the same costume, and apparently everyone else was dressed up this time - we were a day early. So thanks for that José.
A couple days later it was Tuesday 25th - my 21st birthday! My flatmate Caroline surprised me a selection of cakes from Freedom Cakes which was super lovely to come home to, especially seeing as she went quite out of the way to research where to get vegan cake and then travel to get it! That evening whilst I was cooking my banana pancakes (because it was also Shrove Tuesday), Christian had a go at unblocking the sink - a task in which he succeeded. Sort of. He unscrewed the pipe which simply let all of the pressure, and resulting water and rice which was blocking it, out all over the floor. The three of us (Caroline, Christian and me) simply stared in disbelief, and then started laughing, and couldn't stop for a good while.
The following day was Ash Wednesday, and I went with Caroline and her friend to check out the final festival of Carnaval - el Entierro de la Sardina. I'd learnt about it during A2 Spanish and so was really eager to experience it - but due to the lack of information online about it, I was a bit sceptical about whether it was going to be a waste of time or not. Well, I couldn't have been more wrong to doubt it. It was fantastic to say the least. It was the strangest thing I've seen since being here, but at the same time one of the most enjoyable. Everyone dresses up in black, and there are a select few that are the centre of the parade, carrying a little coffin which supposedly contains a dead sardine. There was a band playing music, quite a few people were drinking, and there were people dressed up in much bigger mascot costumes - of what, however, I still don't know! As the parade went on and the sunlight turned to darkness, the tone of the music changed. What was at first a celebration of the fish's life was turning into its funeral. Those in black lit flaming torches and the procession continued towards Casa de Campo. At the end of the parade, the coffin was placed in the centre of a circle, and set alight by the torches. After the flames had died down a bit, in what was another turn of the roller coaster of an evening, everyone started jumping over the flames - with no protection! Could not believe what I was watching! Kids as young as what looked like seven were doing it as everyone else cheered. This festival just confirmed to me how much the Spanish love a fiesta, and the wackier the better.
The Friday of that week, I went to meet my best friend Vic at the airport who was coming to stay for the weekend. We spent the evening exploring Sol and the main attractions in the 19 degree sunshine (weird for February I know) before going for food. We started Saturday by going to brunch at one of my favourite places in Madrid: Bunny's deli. Afterwards, we headed over to Retiro Park. However, disappointingly the weather wasn't good as the previous day - it was fairly cold and super windy! But that didn't stop the several jazz bands we saw from busking. In the evening we decided to go and watch 1917 at the cinema, to which we arrived late. And of course, for a country that supposedly arrives late for everything, the film started on the dot. In the evening, we cooked up a storm and made our own tapas saving some money: patatas bravas and pan con tomate. They were both so tasty and it was nice to have someone to cook with for once! On Sunday, I showed her the Rastro market before going for lunch at Punto Vegano. Next we went up the Faro de Moncloa, something I hadn't yet done myself and which we were unable to do the day before because it was so windy. The view was superb and it was so peaceful at the top with hardly any other people and no traffic whatsoever! Before taking her back to the airport, I took her to La Latina to show her round some of the prettiest streets in Madrid in my opinion. Thanks for coming Vic; it was great to see you, and I'll see you in a month for your 21st!
And that's pretty much it for this update. My Derecho Ambiental class starts in about an hour, which I haven't had for the past four weeks. So for the next ten weeks I have a two hour class every Monday and Wednesday evening. Disgusting, I know.
My next update will probably after Mum, Dad, Ruth and Jon have come to visit me (or not, depending on how quickly Corono spreads) in early April. So chao for now!
Photos to follow at some point.
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