My first night out

After a very long week of classes, it was time for me to have some fun. Earlier in the week, Juan had asked me to see a show, and I thought why the heck not. I could use some good live music, a few cañas, and some new Spanish friends. And then last night he said the show starts at 11. In Madrid, dinnertime is usually around 9 and people go out for the night after that, then stay out until morning. Yesterday, my classmates and I went to dinner after class at 5 and we were the only ones in the restaurant for the next two hours. They had to warn us that because it wasn't dinnertime, not everything on the dinner menu was available. They still had the merienda menus out on the table. I know this is the one thing that might take a while to adjust to...my stomach starts talking at about 4.

So it sounded all good to me when I first said I would go. But after today, all I wanted was to catch up on sleep. Nonetheless, I knew I could not go. After all, one of my goals for this move is to make myself young again. I know I am still young but I have definitely felt old the past couple of years - always choosing the couch over the bar, only being able to stay out until midnight, etc.

After taking a two hour delayed siesta, I got ready and met Juan at the bar. I do want to point out how safe I feel in this city. It was already 11 and I did not at any moment feel like I was in danger. If I was walking anywhere in Chicago at 11, I probably would be with someone else or just take a cab.

Anyway, the show was amazing. A jazz band was playing (Juan's really into jazz) and they were really good. I believe jazz is pretty big here in Madrid. And despite the fact that I was the 9th wheel - I was there with 4 couples!- I had a really great time. Everyone was so friendly and welcoming and did not hate me for being so ignorant of their language. I did get to practice some Spanish and learned a lot when I was speaking with Juan's friends. One of them is actually learning English, so we are going to meet once a week and teach other our languages.

I was also very proud of myself for not acting like an obnoxious drunk American. Although I really wanted to get drunk tonight, it was just not the time and place for it. One of the many great things about Madrid is that people do not necessarily drink to get drunk. So, I made sure that I was not going to make a fool of myself tonight....eh well, maybe tomorrow I'll get drunk...hahaha.

Tomorrow I will be moving to Juan's apartment where I will be living for the next three weeks. I also hope to get a cell phone tomorrow, so I will let you know about that when I get one. Lastly, I don't have any pictures to post on here yet because I have not taken one single picture. I wanted to make sure I soak it all in first...I always feel like I miss something when I'm too busy taking pictures. I will definitely post them as soon as I have some.