Palacio Real

Confession: I love playing tourist here in Madrid. Although I've been here for exactly one month now, there are still so many sights I want to see, restaurants I want to try and places I want to explore. My Madrid Bucket List is growing longer by the day. 

Because Madrid is such a large city, it's impossible to run out of things to do. This, among many other things, is definitely one of my favorite parts about living here. Last weekend I finally tackled one of the top sights on my long list of must-sees... the Royal Palace!

I came to this palace three years ago when I visited Madrid with my mom, but I honestly didn't remember what it looked like inside. I'm so glad I visited Madrid's Royal Palace again, because seeing it for a second time was worth every Euro. Every room is extravagant and exudes luxurious grandeur. I wish I were a princess so I could attend banquets and dine beneath stunning crystal chandeliers, lounge in the resplendent throne room, and then play pool with King Juan Carlos I because he seems like a pretty cool guy.

It absolutely killed me that I couldn't take photos inside, because this place is truly incredible. Its lavishly ornate details rival Versailles', and its splendor is breathtaking. I guess you could convince me to live here.

Confessions Of An English Teacher

Today I celebrate having survived my first two weeks as an English teaching assistant in Spain.

Almost exactly one year ago today I sat next to a man who worked for National Geographic on my flight home from Buenos Aires. As we got to talking, I admitted to him that I wasn't really sure what I wanted to do with my life, but I knew that I wanted to travel and speak Spanish. He then suggested that I move back to Spain and teach English abroad. At first I shrugged the idea off, but here I am - one year later - working as a language assistant and helping adorable Spanish kids learn English. I would have never thought that life would take me in this direction, but I'm so glad it did.

My primary school in Galapagar

Here are some of the things that I've learned within my first 2 weeks as an Auxiliar de Conversación in Spain:

- There will always be questions kids ask you that you simply don't know how to answer. Some of my personal favorites these past two weeks have included: "What color is your motorbike?" (Such a European thing to say.) "What is your favorite sea dinosaur?" (Ummm... what's your favorite sea dinosaur?! Mine too! What a coincidence...) And best of all, "Why aren't you married???" (Good question, Juan. Gooooood question.)

- Improvisation is one of the foundations of teaching here in Spain. This is especially hard for Type A people like me who are obsessed with excessive planning and organization. Although going with the flow has at times been a challenge for me, it's also taught me to think on my feet more freely - and most importantly - have fun.

- The more teeth a kid has recently lost, the cuter they inevitably are. I'm serious. They're so stinkin' adorable.

- Pretending that I don't speak Spanish is one of the hardest parts of my job. The other day, one of my students told his classmates in Spanish that I looked like a grandma with my glasses on - and I totally called him out. Needless to say, I think some of them are catching on to the fact that I actually understand what they're saying en español.

- Something tells me that I will be making a lot of PowerPoint presentations this year.

- Teaching British English as a native American speaker is beyond frustrating. My jaw dropped the first time a student asked me for a "rubber", because apparently "rubber" means "eraser". Also, I have to teach certain grammatical phrases like "Have you got...?" instead of "Do you have...?", and vocabulary words like "chemist" instead of "pharmacy". Even telling time is harder in British English. (What in the world does "half 11" mean?)

- For every two little monsters, there are four angles that make your heart explode.

My Teaching Survival Essentials:

1. I kid you not, this is the most caffeinated I've ever been in my entire life. In the past month I've quadrupled my coffee intake, and quite frankly this is the only way I get through my mornings. (Despite the fact that school starts at 9 am, the school I teach at is quite far away. Hence, I have to wake up at 6:20 am everyday to get ready, scarf down some breakfast and make my commute.)

2. Kids will do anything for a sticker (or any other "prize" for that matter). They'll even behave! GENIUS.

3. I think it goes without saying that I need a large glass of tinto de verano everyday to quiet my mind from the persistent echoes of screaming children. I mean, when in Spain...

With all that said, I come home from work everyday exhausted but fulfilled. I'm already growing so attached to my little niños, and I love them even when they drive me crazy. Although there can be some challenging moments, at the end of the day I feel incredibly satisfied. 

Txirimiri: The Best Tortilla I've Ever Had

My favorite Spanish dish is and always will be tortilla española.

No, no - I'm not talking about those heavenly rounds of finely ground corn that we use for tacos, enchiladas and other delicious Mexican treats back home in the States. (Spain has yet to recognize the glory of what we call "tortillas" and make them mainstream. Good luck trying to find them in any grocery store.)

I'm talking about the delectable, comforting, and simple yet ever so satisfying Spanish omelette comprised of eggs, potatoes and onions.

I suppose you could call me an amateur connoisseur of tortilla española (also known as tortilla de patatas). I remember taking my first bite of tortilla española on my first night in Cádiz like it was just yesterday; one taste and I was immediately addicted. My host mom may have been a psychopath, but she sure knew how to make a mean tortilla.

Tortillas are naturally gluten free, so imagine my contentment in Cádiz when I would eat something and not get sick afterwards. What a crazy thought! It's no wonder tortilla española quickly became my favorite Spanish dish... it was the only one that didn't make me violently ill. (And also, it's delicious. Enough said.)

For the past three years, my love for tortillas has persisted. Throughout Spain, Argentina and Seattle, I've tried a lot of amazing ones... and unfortunately, I've also tried a lot of horrible ones. (I'm looking at you, ridiculously overpriced tortilla in Plaza Mayor that tasted like plaster. Shame on me for even being tempted by such a tourist trap.) Once in a while, my mom and I will even experiment in the kitchen and attempt to make our own.

But nothing, I repeat, NOTHING, will ever compare to the tortilla española found at Txirimiri.

Located in the barrio of La Latina in Madrid, not a single tourist is to be found in this Basque tapas bar. That's how you know it's really good. Small slices of tortilla española are served as pintxos on top of bread - and although this restaurant is constantly bustling, they still found the time to serve me many tortillas sin pan (without bread).

The tortillas at Txirimiri are melt in your mouth crazy delicious. This is not your average tortilla de patatas, my friends. I'm convinced that the chefs add some sort of magic in these, because the flavors and consistency of their tortillas are out of this world. I can't even.

Before:

After:

Yeah, okay, so technically this was after my third slice. What can I say, it's literally impossible to stop at one.

Suffice it to say, this place is heaven. If you live in Madrid or are just planning to visit, a trip to Txirimiri should be at the top of your list. I promise you will not regret it.

Txirimiri

Calle del Humilladero, 6

Metro: La Latina, Puerta del Toledo or Tirso de Molina