Donde esta la Plaza Celenque?

After 10 hours of traveling and crossing multiple time zones, the three of us have finally arrived in Madrid safe and sound. All and all we had no problems with our travels, however, that is not to say it was the easiest thing I have ever done. Once we got to Madrid we decided to take the Metro to our hostel. We found the metro, finally figured out which ticket to buy and got one. We somehow managed to get on to all of the correct metros - but this included lugging our suitcases up multiple flights of stairs (we always managed to get off on the side without an escalator but at least we got a good workout in). We finally made it to the stop we needed, but had no idea where plaza celenque was, and it seemed neither did the locals. But after many "Pardon, yo tengo una pregunta, donde esta la plaza celenques?" We were finally able to piece together the different ahh right here left theres and make it to Plaza Celenque and find our hostel. Because we immediately got on the metro after flying into Madrid, we had been here over 2 hours without even seeing the city. But as we finally lugged our giant suitcases up the last flight of stairs onto Calle Mayor right in the center of the Plaza del Sol and we we were amazed! I have never seen something so amazing. It is like being in the middle of a huge city bursting through the architecture of an old Spanish town. Suddenly Colin, Hillary and I forgot how tired we were and realized we were actually here. We had made it, we had done it on our own, and we were standing in the middle of the capitol of Spain. It all seems surreal. We keep saying it seems like were at Disney World walking through the fake towns made of cardboard buildings. Fortunately, these building are not cardboard but beautiful hundreds of years old structures that contain both a rich history and culture.  The three of us have done pretty well interacting and talking with locals so far. My spanish has proved to be better than I expected - now if only I could make every speak super slow to me I think I'll have it made. I feel so self sufficient that I am able to make it on my own with a couple friends a world away from the familiarity of Chapel Hill. This isn't Franklin St. any more. I cannot wait to explore all Madrid has to offer this afternoon and tomorrow before making our way to Sevilla, but all of that may have to come after a shower and short nap first.

Adios de Madrid!

Colin and I at the Metro

Plaza del Sol

Hillary and I