I made it! I got to Madrid this morning at 6:07, found my way to the metro and with the help of a very nice couple made it to the stop I needed to get off at. I then walked to my hostel, also with some help, only to find out that they don't check in until 1:30. I hadn't had any sleep, even though the seats on the bus here were the most comfortable bus seats that I have ever ridden in. One of the guys working was really nice to me and let me eat breakfast, even though here they don't eat till 8ish. I also got to put my luggage in the baggage room for the day. The guy lent me a bed for the time being in a private girls room, and gave me some sheets, even though he wasn't supposed to do that. I didn't realize the room was still occupied, but there was a girl sleeping when I got in there, and another one walked in as I was getting ready to rest. I asked her if it was ok, that I wasn't feeling well (this is what I was told to say if anyone asked) and that the guy said I could sleep here for a little while. She replied with "Do you have another room in the hostel?" and I said yes, but that I couldn't check in until 1:30. She said ok, but it was really saucy and she rolled her eyes like I was a freak. I asked nicely and all. I realize her frustration, because I think I would be too if I found a stranger in my room, but she didn't have to be rude. So I slept to regain my strength, then around 11 I went downstairs and put more of my stuff in the luggage room, and headed off for an adventure with my trusty new map. What I ended up finding was incredible. I went to the cathedral and a Neo-Roman crypt below it. I had to search for someone to give me change though, which was frustrating. Anyway, they both were really cool. The crypt was kinda creepy, but the Cathedral was really colorful, and I loved the ceiling. I'll have to put up pictures later; I don't have my cord for my camera right this minute. So then, since it was in the vicinity, I went to the Royal Palace. Amazing. It was so ornate! I liked it better than Versailles I do believe. It was a much smaller scale, but the chandeliers were so much better. So after that I bought some postcards; you weren't allowed to take pictures inside. Then I searched for a place to get a sandwich, which I managed, but I'm going to search for cheaper places later, even though what I got wasn't expensive. I saw some cheaper places on my way back. I am now finally back at the hostel, but they are having trouble with their registration program, and it is going to take them another hour. I was glad they took my computer this morning and held it behind the desk, so I could have it now, and nobody in the hostel would mess with it. Apparently they are doing some construction work inside this place...but so far it looks ok. I don't know what my plans are for the rest of the day, but I'd like to find some colorful cows. I guess it all depends on when I can check in. I'll keep you up to date!

So I went into town today to finish up with my library books and get some money before my trip, and when I got off at Prado bus stop across the street there was a renaissance fair! I've never been to one of these, so I was really excited. I went in for a look but I knew I had to get my stuff done, so I went to the library and spent an hour photocopying stuff, then I returned my book and headed back to the bus stop to go home and get my camera. Camera in hand, I went back to Prado and ate a kebab and a very difficult Coca-Cola from the "Medieval Mercado". I then walked around and took some pictures. It was lots of fun! The first thing I noticed was the birds. I was really excited to be so close to them! They were beautiful. They even had a carousel that was really cool,  I didn't realize they were that old! They also had some torture devices and even a boat! (Cost 2 Euro to ride, it was for kids but it was cute.) They also had donkey rides for the kids, and some toy swords and axes and armor as well. Of course they had the flower crowns, but I didn't buy one. They had some dresses too, but since I already own one I didn't think it necessary. I am back in the apartment now having decided that I really should get to packing, and maybe a nap, before my bus ride to Madrid tonight, but I was so excited about the market I just had to write about it!

Not much is going on today. Just working on my research paper. My brother is 24 today. I can't believe it. Tomorrow is Mother's Day and i'm not home, but hopefully she'll have a good day. I'm leaving for Madrid on Friday, so hopefully that will be fun. Besides that this paper and class will take up most of my week, as well as little errands I have to run. If anything exciting happens i'll let you know.

A few things that have happened this week. Carmen told me about this place called Rayas, which serves Italian Gelatto. It is fantastic. I got a medium bowl packed to the brim for 4 euro, but this bowl was big. It's a great price and so worth it. I got chocolate, I'm going to have to go back at least once before I go home. I didn't take a picture of it, sorry. I also went to the library and checked out some books for my research paper on Monday, and outside the library I was surprised to find a mulberry tree. I could only reach the bottom branch, but I wish I could pick a bushel and take them home with me. They were so good, but I don't know if I was supposed to eat them or not. I guess that tree is for the birds. I'm planning my trip to Madrid and Barcelona; I'm really excited about it. Tomorrow I plan on going to Bormujos for Thursday Market. I haven't been in awhile, but I'm going to check out bus times when I get back into the bus station. Sometime this weekend I might go see Wolverine in Spanish, but we'll see. Only 3 more weeks left!

Also for your viewing pleasure, the cutest little girl and her cotton candy.

So I had a fantastic time at Feria, and the only reason that I can write this right now is that I took a very long nap today to catch up on some much needed sleep! I went Tuesday night, and Wednesday morning. Tuesday I spent with Carmen and friends (in order, Inga, John, Yasmin, Carmen, and Darby, and Martha came at the beginning but she wasn't there for the video) at her father's caseta. I am so glad that I met her the week before, because going to Feria without friends would not be fun. If you don't have a caseta to go to it isn't worth it, because that is where all the action happens. Basically, a caseta is a "little house" where you dance and eat and drink and hang out. They look small on the outside, but most of them will fool you. They are quite large on the inside. They are also noisy and crowded and full of life. Everyone dances and seems to have a good time, and the music ranges from popular Spanish songs to traditional Spanish songs for dancing Sevillanas, to songs from Greese, or even YMCA. It was interesting. It would take forever to explain everything in detail. I went on Wednesday mainly to take pictures, like the one you see above. Lining the right side of the picture are some casetas, and you see all the girls in their Flamenco dresses, of which I had two :)  Saturday night I went with Carmen in one of these Flamenco dresses to a Brazilian worship service (that's in Portugese folks, and last I check I don't speak Portugese) that was led by a clown. It was interesting. Afterwards they had a surprise birthday party for one of the members, and had some Brazilian food. I was skeptical at first, but it turned out to be really good. I'm going to get the recipe. They had two cakes, one was food and the other was desert. The first one was almost like a mega sandwich. I really liked it. After having to explain that just because Carmen brought a friend it didn't mean that I wasn't a Christian, and after being harassed to dance by everyone in the congregation, Carmen and I left, quite embarrassed, and resolving to never wear Flamenco dresses to church again. We kinda stood out. But I did manage to get a picture with Meli, who happened to be there. She was the one that sold me my dress, and cleaned it, and had it fixed, and she also supplied me with all the "trimmings" to look like a true Sevillana. Of course, I still have blonde hair, but at least I tried.  Once we got to Feria that night, we stayed up all night. We rode the Feris Wheel and ate cotton candy and such. When all was said and done we went back to her house in Bollullos and ate some more food that her mother kindly fixed for us. I didn't see a bed till around 6. I don't think I really slept. In the morning I did not feel well, and I tried to eat some of the Paella that Carmen's mom fixed, and it was really good and I felt really bad for not being able to eat it. At 4:30 on Sunday we went to an English Bible study. The group included two people from London, 9ish from the Philipines, Carmen and I, and about 5 Sevillanos, and also some crazy guy from Michigan who led the group. It was lots of fun. After that, Carmen and I hopped some buses to get to Sevilla Este so I could drop off my stuff, and then we went back to Feria to hang out some more before viewing the fireworks show that designates the end of Feria. Luckily I got one of the first buses out, and got myself back home. This morning I had school, and then I went to the library to get some books in order to write a research paper on Feria, which I will begin now.

Feria last night was awesome! I will have to put up pictures later. I forgot to bring money and my keys, so that caused some drama, because I had to walk from Prado to Feria instead of take the bus. I also had to walk back at 3 in the morning. I also had to call Maria to tell her to let me in, but I had to use Carmen's phone because I don't have any more minutes on mine. My phone also died. So apart from all that, I had a blast! I tried to find the caseta that Maria told me about, but nobody seemed to know what it was, so I found the rest of the group and we were allowed to go into Carmen's. I was surprised at how big it was! And there are hundreds of these things! It was so much fun! We danced the night away, literlly, in our pretty flamenco dresses, except for John, who in fact was not wearing one. At the end of the night we had to say goodbye to Inga, which was sad because she's going back to Germany and I don't know if i'll see her again. I'm going to Feria again today, and this time i'm more prepared. On to the Ferris Wheel!