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The Park
Some of the gorgeous columns at the park. Today I woke up and realized this was my last full day in Spain. My last day to soak in the sunshine and warm weather, to smell the tapas as I walked down the streets and to hurry up and buy some souvenirs! I headed down to breakfast and filled up on as much as I could. After this, a couple of us headed downtown to find some last minute souvenirs. I found most of what I needed but still couldn't find quite what I was looking for for a couple of my family members. Remembering that we had time later to finish shopping I headed back to the hotel.
A few hours later we all headed to the park that Cesar and Jen had encouraged us to check out. It was only a couple stops away from our hotel so we took the subway and were there within minutes. Upon arriving we walked down the sidewalk until we found a nice area of grass to lay out in. Some of us wanted to sit in the shade while others were dying to catch some sun rays. This was the first day that we had time to just literally soak
"Phil's Angels"
A couple of us girls doing the Charlie's Angels pose. With Phil on the side. in the sunshine and work on our "Spanish tans". Abby actually brought one of the sheets off of her hotel bed and layed it out for everyone to sit on. Some of us had brought some snacks as well so it turned into a little picnic and photo session in the sun. Today it was in the early nineties temperature wise and I was starting to feel it.
After we felt like we had been in the sun long enough we began to walk around the rest of the park to explore. I was happy to find that there were several stands set up along the sidewalk selling little trinkets and gifts. I found a bracelet for one of my sisters and an anklet that I figured I couldn't live without. On the other side of this sidewalk was a large pond that we decided to walk around in order to get a full view of the park. At the other side of the pond was a large statue with some columns surrounding it that we figured would be great picture opportunities. When we were done with our photoshoot we began walking the rest of the way around the
Our Group
Our group with our very last guest speaker! park until we found the entrance back into the subway and headed back to the hotel.
We made it back just in time for our last guest speaker at four. In our itinerary it says that his name was Luis Arroyo, however I thought I heard Cesar mention that his name was different since the original speaker couldn't make it. Don't take my word for that though. Anyways, our speaker had an interesting powerpoint presentation that I thought was well designed because I can still remember his images and graphics that he used. He spoke to us about PR in Politics which is something that I would never consider to do as a career, however what he spoke to us about was interesting. Currently he works as a Political Communications Specialist which basically help fill the gap between politics and the public. They also help certain candidates, the government, and public institutions make their messages clear to the public in order to fill the gap between the two parties. He mentioned many aspects of politics such as how every leader has enemies (terrorism, poverty, and unemployment) but that it takes a good leader to offer strength, unity, hope, protection
Me & The Professors
Cesar, Me, and Jennifer! and change during those bad times and during the good as well. He also stressed that in order to show your audience what you're doing clearly you must effectively get your message across and that a good way to do that is through TV because an image is worth a thousand words. A random part that I remember and liked about his speech was a quote he said: "Never waste a good crisis" which was originally said by Hilary Clinton. Even though I do not plan to go into politics in my future PR career, I did get a better idea of what kinds of things you can do in PR and that it isn't just limited to corporations and businesses.
After he was finished speaking, Cesar handed out the program evaluation forms and we headed back to our rooms to complete them and start packing. Once we were done getting ready we all headed down to the main lobby to meet up with Cesar and follow him to his and Jennifer's apartment which was only a few blocks away. Since they have family in Spain and worked in Spain for years they have an apartment in downtown Madrid
Downtown Madrid
The main square at night. which they use every Summer. We had been dying to see their apartment the entire trip and I was excited that we finally were able to see it tonight! They had invited us over for drinks and actually surprised us with dinner and really good wine. I had a rose' and some white wine as well which were both good, as well as all of the food that they provided. I had to try one of everything since I was becoming more adventurous with food (think back to the fried blood sausage in El Escorial). Most of the food wasn't too foreign to me: bread with jam, a simple but very delicious salad, bread with olive oil and trout on it, a variety of cheeses (my favorite was called "Little Tit") but last I tried Pate' which I believe is duck liver spread? And... it wasn't half bad! After we had been there for a couple hours being entertained by their adorable children and had taken another photoshoot, we headed back to Hotel Regina.
Tonight Phil and Doris were leaving to go on an extended trip to Barcelona and Rome so we cherished the few hours left that we
Goodbye Phil
Saying goodbye to Phil and Doris at the subway in Sol (the main square). had with them. Once it was late enough we walked them down to the subway station in Sol (the main square) and said our goodbyes. I surprised myself when I started to tear up because I'm not much of a cryer. Everyone started crying and I realized how close all of us had gotten during these quick ten days. After they left, the rest of us needed some cheering up and kept walking downtown to hunt down some chocolate and churros (fried dough like sticks covered in cinnamon with chocolate dipping sauce). Once we found some we made our way back to the hotel and ignored all the free drink offers along the way.
Calling it a night I began to pack up my clothes and prepare to leave the next morning. I knew I wasn't ready to leave Spain yet even though I had to. If I was able to take more time off of work and summer classes I definitely would have stayed longer and maybe even traveled along with Doris and Phil. Knowing that I can handle myself in another country now (with some friends to be safe) I want to travel even more and explore what this world has to offer me. For now I know I just have to settle with the memories of this great trip and use them as encouragement to start saving up to go on another one again.
My last night in Spain, my last night in this hotel room, my last night on this trip... how am I supposed to fall asleep?
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