Its been a while! Life is going, faster than I expected, and I feel like I'm in a pretty good rhythm now. A few weeks ago there was a huelga general, general strike.  It was enormous, most people didn't go to work, didn't shop,and there were thousands on the street, grafitti everywhere.  The kids stayed home from school so I didn't go to the protests.

 I found a library! Oh joy! It has a substantial English section that should last me a few months, I read a lot here, for I spend a lot of time on the metro. I also met a Canadian who looked exactly like Tintin! He says that he doesn't try, but I don't believe him.

 

The other weekend I went with a friend to The Sierra, the mountains around Madrid.  We went on a good hike, it was very cold, and there were a lot of people on the trail.  It felt fantastic to get away from the cold and smog of the city. I am going to return this Sunday, my Australian friend hasn't seen snow since she was 6, so I'm hoping that there will be some.

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 Christmas time is in full swing now, there are very odd Spanish Christmas markets that seem to exclusively sell small nativity figurines and crazy wigs and hats.  The only food you can buy at them is potato chips or sunflower seeds.  Very different from the German Christmas Markets, which I love. The street decorations are also...interesting.

 A  American grocery store! The prices are quite ridiculous, but you can buy peanut butter, cake mix, baking powder, airheads, cupcakes, marshmallows, and Jones!  I have also been expanding my food experience, I tried roasted chestnuts for the first time, as well as brandy and macaroons.   

Godzilla goes to the opera!

I bought myself a blue christmas cactus

 As great as Christmas would be  in Spain, it just doesn't coincide in my head. Many of the au-pairs head home for Christmas, but its just too far and expensive for me. I am headed to the snow in Germany.  I have a good friend who lives in Dortmund (not the most beautiful city, but its near Cologne)and will be spending Christmas with their family. They are Polish and some of the most hospitable people I know, so it should be lovely!