sam in madrid!

When you call your mom to catch up and she asks why you haven't called in so long, are you really busy at work?..when really you've been on vacation all week...you know something is wrong.

So here's an update, one that should include plentiful photos but Sam and I are a total disaster between the two of us so maybe in a year or two I will post them.

Anyway, Sam was in Madrid, neither of us could believe she actually made it, in fact we still don't believe she was even here. It was a very quick trip, as always the week went by way too fast. But for those who know the one and only Sam Bain, you will enjoy the following highlights:

SAM'S ARRIVAL

Sam and I spent three hours looking for each other on the morning of her arrival. The frantic emails sent the day before were of no use, we totally botched the plan. After going to the airport at 8 a.m., arriving late as it was, then realizing I was in the wrong terminal, stress stress stress, I receive a phone call from a mysterious spanish number, as it turns out Sam was with the "drunk midget" she had sat next to on the plane, who was visiting her ex-pat son, the owner of said phone. Well, she was not at the airport, actually at the metro/train/bus station Nuevos Ministerios, and I was to look for her there. But where? That place is huge. I left the airport, and spent another good 20 minutes searching for her at the station. I found her in a maze of tunnels connecting metro lines, with a giant hockey bag that weighed over 70 lbs (looked like a dead body was inside) and three carry-ons. One of the carry-ons contained not only her laptop but an ipad and six hefty magazines. As a result, she had back pain all week, but she is never one to complain. And if she does, she apologizes profusely. God, was I excited to see Sammy.

SAM IS AWED BY MADRID'S REGALITY

Sometimes it takes visitors to remember what a beautiful place surrounds you. The sites of Madrid left a mighty impression on her, particularly the garden entrance to Retiro park, Plaza Mayor, and El Paseo del Prado.

SAM TRIES TO SPEAK SPANISH

The Spanish accent is something Sam mastered during her six days here: "Donde esthtan losth banoths?" No big deal that the "s" isn't actually lisped...

SAM AND RENEE MAKE A PIZZA

At three a.m. 'Nuff said.

SAM FALLS ASLEEP

While leaving Matt a voicemail on her blackberry, a phone call that will probably be the priciest part of the whole trip. IT'S ALWAYS SO TYPICAL.

SAM AND RENEE VISIT LUCY

We spent a few days in Valencia, coincidently when Madrid and Barcelona played at the stadium next to Lucy's house. It would have been an awesome time nonetheless, but the atmosphere that these two rivals create definitely added to the experience. Most people in Valencia are Barca fans, so we kept quiet at our corner table in the bar where we watched the game. Not that I really care... but Madrid did win!

SAM GETS BELLIGERANT

Of course we went out after the game...we were definitely in the mood after three hours in the bar and six pitchers of beer later. Sam is not an aggressive person, but you know how she gets sometimes.... at one point, when asked if we had seen the game, she said "Yea I watched it, but you know I prefer real football, like where you throw the ball and stuff". Great way to add to the awesome stereotype we Americans have haha. And she doesn't even like football, I think she was just in the mood to irk the poor guy. She later asked the same victim if his mom irons his underwear, as Lucy and I had earlier informed her that Spanish mothers baby their sons (and iron their underwear) hahahaha.

WE SEND A PICTURE TO SAM'S FAMILY

And subsequently it's the only one I've got, us atop some really posh hotel in Plaza Santa Ana, the 15 euros it cost to go up there were totally worth it. Miss you Sam!!!