Wow, wow, wow. For the past week I have felt like someone took my brain out of my head, placed it in a Boston shaker, and has been relentlessly rattling it back and forth. Finally, though, I feel as though I can breathe – I have a place to stay!
Danielle, Frank, and I had looked at apartments almost every day since our arrival last Tuesday. We were understandably feeling a bit down after viewing (and being rejected from) multiple places. Add in the pressure of living out of a suitcase, eating out for every meal, and struggling to understand a majority of what we heard — Danielle and my heads were about to explode.
Danielle had admittedly done much more networking in the Auxiliares facebook groups before we arrived, so she had a few appointments set up to meet fellow teachers this year. Long story short, after meeting some new friends she decided to search for apartments with another girl in our same program – completely understandable and I can’t wait to visit her in her Malasaña apartment! Searching for two-bedroom pisos also opened up some more options for Frank and I moving forward.
Finally, finally, we found a place that suited both Frank and my needs – it’s just steps away from a Metro station so I can get to work, it’s a short walk to Frank’s job, and it’s close to markets, bars, and restaurants. We move in tonight, I’m so excited!
Shopping with Stefan 
Reading in a park 
Entering a party at Teatro Barceló 
Sunset clouds 
More paella and tinto de verano 🤤
I have enjoyed this past week even though I may have been wildly frustrated and anxious for a majority of it – I’ve met two new friends, eaten more delicious food, been to clubs and parties (I was added to the VIP list for one, ahorita me siento tan importante), and gotten a better grip of the city.
One thing I have noticed is that there is a much greater sense of shared responsibility to keep the city clean: here are some signs I’ve seen around Madrid.
“If you need a sign to use the garbage can, this is it” 
“It’s yours, care for it”
Signs like these are starting to show me how different Raleigh/Boone/U.S. and Madrid culture are, I’m excited to discover further differences. Until next time (maybe I’ll write next from my own bed – what a thought)!
