Basillica Ancient Roman Structures & Chocolate Dipped Churros in Madrid

Before we left for Madrid today, we stopped at some ancient Roman structures, including a bathhouse and an amphitheater.  One of my teachers pointed out that it was hard work to get milk, let alone building something like this beautiful amphitheater.  It's interesting to learn that even back then, they realized how important they knew that entertainment and relaxation was for their health.

We also stopped at a bathhouse and it was so cool to see!  I had read and see movies about bathhouses in England, so it was neat to see one in real life.  It was interesting to learn that on top of the social aspects of the bathhouses, they also knew how important it was to be clean for their health, and relax for their mental health.

Right before we left Zaragoza, the teachers gave us a little time to look at some cathedrals and other beautiful structures on Plaza del Pilar.  I don't know why, but when a group I was with entered the cathedral, I was overcome with many emotions.  I guess I was still overwhelmed by where I was...I am in Spain!  I was also overwhelmed by the obvious hard work to keep up the beauty of the building and that so many people come here to experience it.  I didn't want to leave but I knew there was much more to see.

Madrid seemed to not be my city; it began and ended badly.  The middle parts were okay, but after a nap, the whole group was going to get chocolate dipped churros.  The teachers recommended that we bring our laundry, because it sounded like we could just drop our laundry off at a laundromat and have it delivered back to the hotel.  Well, it took FOREVER just to find the laundromat because nobody gave us clear directions, and once we found it, we discovered that it was do-it-yourself.  We were a little frustrated, but the group was mad at us.  I can understand their frustration but I wish they would understand that it wasn't our fault and that we did the best we could.  The group went on ahead while one of the professors waited for us as we took our laundry back to the hotel.  After we went back to the teacher, we apologized and he told us there was no reason to apologize.  It wasn't our fault, and he smoothed things over anyway.  He explained that we are like a family, and families fight sometimes.  I never thought of us as a family until that moment.  We really are like a family, and yeah, we're not going to get along, but I think each person in our group has something amazing to contribute, and I have had fun with each person I've hung out with.  I probably won't see some of the people again, because they graduated and moved on with their lives, but I hope I can see some of them again and we can have more fun and remember the good times we had in Spain.

P.S. I kind of am talking in the future aren't I? lol I forgot that I was writing this as though I were still in Spain..oh well.  Just stay tuned and I'll explain why Madrid wasn't my friend :)