Madrid: Museo del Prado



The Prado.
One of the world´s most renowned art museums.



Went today for the first time.
Such a beautiful museum.  Very modern in decour with mostly Spanish art.
Hints of Flemish, Italian, and German displays on various floors.
Spent hours on only the first floor today.





Lookie Brookie. I have a new favorite artist.
Mariano Fortuny.
Loved loved his painting: Hollyhocks.
(Unfortunately couldn´t find on el internet.)
This, however, is probably his most famous work.
The Artist´s Children in the Japanese Salon.



Madrid: Birthday Bash

Anita´s 10th birthday.  Cause for a celebration.
One of the many tasty items we enjoyed that night.
(Alright- false.  Didn´t get near these, but tried some other tapas.)



Host Mama and Papa.
Wonderful for so many reasons.
They are always in a great mood.
They both speak excellent English.
They are willing to help me whenever I need it.
They support my ideas and lifestyle.



Annnnd.  The b-day girl herself.
Was rewarded for 10 years of life with Hamster.
A great addition the clan we have going here.

Madrid: Photobooth with Anita

One of our favorite activities to do together.

Personal favorite.

Madrid: It's a Beautiful Day in The Neighborhood

For the next three months, I am lucky enough to live on this gorgeous street:
Costa Brava.  Just ten minutes from downtown Madrid.

I decided to take this journey unaccompanied in hopes of learning more Spanish.
And also because I don't mind doing things just myself.
Sometimes I actually prefer it.

The apartment.

Doorknobs.  I love their Doorknobs.

My bedroom for this next little while.
Adorable? Yes.

Living room.

Kitchen.
Where we eat together three times most days.
Breakfast: 830-ish. Lunch: 3:30. Dinner: 9:30.
Every meal is cloth-napkin standard.
Some of my eats: gazpacho, tomato salad, empanadas
slow cooked pork, spaghetti carbonara, pescado.

My only obligation (and purpose) in coming to Madrid.
Teaching Anita and Beatrice English.
Three hours each weekday.
These girls have already been so good to me.

"The urge to travel, to open our minds and move beyond the familiar- is as old as man himself."

Madrid. Madrid. Madrid.

Finally.  The anticipated moment for almost six months now.
Arrival in MADRID, Spain. (Just a few days ago.)
Life is good.
I take it back- life is charming.
Everything here is charming:
The little boys and their suspenders, ivy-coated alleyways,
The local eateries and shops.
Just under 4 million people. 
Living ten minutes from the big city.
Ooh la la.
The family I´m living with- wonderful.
Two young girls, and mama y papa.
The sweethearts- allowing me to stay in their home.
And go everywhere with them.
Today, for example, we enjoyed our Saturday by
Meandering around the downtown area.
Newly renovated- grand opening something.
Designer shop after designer shop.
Families everywhere holding pink balloons and enjoying a perrrfecto Sabado.
Stopped twice at a couple cafes.  Just to have a drink and enjoy a conversation.
Something I have always admired in Europeans-
Their love of the eating/drinking experience.  It´s no rush.
Possibly returning to the city tonight.
Yay for mass transit. 
Brooke is enjoying Espana.
As well as the shaded neighborhoods, delicious food, and the enormous city
Brooke may or may not being enjoying the fact,
That she skipped Spanish class every day her Senior year in high school.
Because bascially, she is one bit of English, swimming in a complete sea of Spanish.
More details later.
And photos.  Promise.
Besos, Brooke Shoko

End of Summer. Photos.

Thank goodness for the beloved tshirt co.

Yay visitors.

Yay no closet.

Enes, Sasha, Emil, Pervert.

Picking up Mr. J

This, unfortunately, is no longer possible.

With two of my favorites.
At The Pie. Who doesn't love The Pie?

Just look at that face.  (The dog's.  And Dad's I suppose.)

And how about 12 Frenchies show up at the apartment.
Where is the party? Oh sorry I have another job in 5 hours.

Beeeautiful morning (off Denny Creek Road).

Just begging my friends to work the front desk with me.
Every. Stinking. Day.

Brooke loves Mother's visits.

Climbing up this to access my apartment.
In skirt. Don't miss it.

Grizzly and Wolf discovery center.
Whallah.

Ben's obsessed.
With our heater.

Ohh how we loved taking home the numbers we'd receive.
Side note: most of these were hard earned
by the one and only Mel Fjel.

Enjoying a moment at my favorite place:
Nordstom.

Blutkafia.

And once upon a time my mom was on a morning show.

Dinner. Settebello.
With BFF/wife/Chinese sister, Abigail.

Aww.

And of course a large dosage of Laur.
My main squeeze.  Missed her.  Miss her.

After Day One Hundred Thirty

The summer.  It's FINALLY over.  One hundred thirty days (exactly).  Yes- loved it.  Loved a lot of things about it.  Also am for sure loving this new chapter in my life.  

Especially loving time with my family.

And Mr. Jackles . . . 

(More summer pictures to be posted soooon.)