*Important News*

To all my readers-

I have something to reveal...everything written in this blog was made up! All of my friends went abroad (most went to Madrid) so I decided to make the best of my semester spent here in Bloomington, IN. I researched places in Europe that looked like intriguing places to visit and found pictures on Google. Most of these posts were actually written while sitting in class! However, although I haven't actually been traveling, I will now use this blog as inspiration for the future. I hope you all enjoyed my attempt at creativity and hopefully you can read my future *real* travel blog. Until then, make sure to comment with any recommendations of places I need to travel to!

Thanks for reading,
Grace Brooke Smith

First Up: Prague

I made it to Prague! I got here early this morning so I had the entire day to start exploring the city. The first place that I stopped by was the Old Town Square. I can definitely understand why it is known as one of the most beautiful sites in Europe; the ancient buildings and churches are magnificent. The Old Town Square dates from the 12th century and started out as a central market place. There are buildings of Romanesque, Baroque and Gothic styles, all of which were built in different centuries. Now, various shops and restaurants line the street. I sat in a coffee shop and took in all the beauty around me while I recharged and got ready to go visit the next site.

After resting for a bit, I went to Charles Bridge. Many people recommended that I go there, so I knew it had to be something special. It didn't disappoint. The bridge connects the Old Town and Lesser Town and is lined with 30 Baroque statues of religious figures. There were many painters and hot-dog vendors fighting for good spots to get the most business from tourists. Speaking of tourists, the bridge was swarming with them! Next time, I think I will go at dawn to beat the crowds and get a better view of the Vltava River.

Still so much left to see...

Seeing a live fútbol game at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu was at the top of my list of things to do in Madrid, and I finally got to check it off today! It was amazing. There was so much energy throughout the stadium and such a feeling of camaraderie. Real Madrid CF (Madrid's football club) is very highly ranked. They played against FC Barcelona, one of their biggest rivals. They ended up losing 2-1 but nevertheless it was an unforgettable experience. The fans here are crazier than the football fans in America! After a wild morning at the soccer game, I switched gears and visited the Real Basilica de San Francisco el Grande. So far, it is my favorite church in Madrid because it is so beautiful and unique. The church is famous for two things: the dome and frescos by Goya in one of the chapels. The frescos are immaculate and the interior in general is stunning. I will definitely be returning soon. Now, it is time to start packing for Prague. I leave in two days! 

More Site Seeing

Today I had class in the morning but luckily had the afternoon free to do some more site seeing. I visited the Temple of Debod, which is located in Parque del Oeste. The Temple of Debod is an ancient Egyptian temple which was rebuilt in Madrid. The 4000 year old building is etched with bas-reliefs depicting the gods Ammon and Isis. It was really beautiful. I also spent some time walking around the Plaza Mayor, the most famous of Madrid's many stately plazas. In the past, it was used for markets, bullfights and public executions, to name a few. Now it is pretty much just a tourist destination. In the center of the plaza is a statue of King Philip III.

What Have I Been Up To?

Hi readers! You are probably wondering what I have been doing for the past few days. Well, I have been extremely busy site seeing, exploring, eating and yes, actually starting classes. I spent an entire day walking around the Gran Via, a huge tourist attraction. Various shops, bars and even a casino line the streets. I probably spent way too many euros. Oops. I explored the area known as Madrid's art triangle including the Museo del Prado, the Reina Sofia and the Thyssen-Bornemisza. Even though I'm not a huge art fanatic, I enjoyed learning about the history and meaning behind the artworks, as well as some history of Madrid, my new home. My favorite activity over the past few days was walking around the Casa de Campo, the biggest park in Madrid. It probably helped that it was a perfect day weather-wise, 75 and sunny. Casa de Campo features a large lake, a zoo, sports facilities and spaces for concerts and events. I think I loved it so much because it reminded me of one of my favorite parks back home in Atlanta. Anyways, my friends and I had a picnic by the lake and it was nice to sit down, relax and reflect on everything we experienced over the past few days. Next weekend, I will begin traveling around Europe, starting with Prague. I am beyond excited, but I know there is still so much to experience here in Madrid. I will definitely make the most of this week in Madrid before I leave for Prague. Thanks for reading!

First Day

My first full day in Madrid was incredible. I visited the Royal Palace and Puerta Del Sol. The Royal Palace is Madrid's largest building and contains furniture, tapestries, paintings and ceramics. We took a guided tour and I was able to learn about the historical significance of the building and artwork. After the Royal Palace, we walked to La Puerta del Sol, Madrid's most famous and most central square. We spent hours walking around and checking out the numerous bars, restaurants and shops. We then went to dinner at La Castela and I had some of the best pasta I've ever had in my life. I couldn't have asked for a better way to start off my trip. I'm beyond excited for what's to come.

Madrid, I have arrived!

Finally made it to Madrid! I am so ecstatic to be here. I met my roommates and I can already tell we will be great friends. I am living in an apartment with 4 other people. It's nicer than I expected. Since it is already so late, I am going to grab a quick dinner with my roommates and go to sleep. Tomorrow we will begin site seeing, starting with the Royal Palace. Here are some pictures of my apartment! Be sure to check out my Twitter account for moment-by-moment updates: www.twitter.com/GraceB_Smith

Until next time,
Grace Brooke Smith