Sunday Morning Cakes

It's Sunday. I am sitting in bed, the sun is shining as it very often does and caressing my face with its warmth. I am eating madalenas for breakfast- little Spanish sponge cakes with sugar and a hint of lemon. These are the moments I cherish. It's March 2nd and it's already 20 degrees outside, spring is definitely here and with it comes optimism and playfulness - suddenly the parks are full (I plan a trip this afternoon) and the performers are out in force belting out tunes or skits with renewed gusto.
I've met people doing their year abroad who tell me they've hated it here. I honestly don't know why. It makes me think it really is your attitude that makes a place because I can't see many reasons to not enjoy this city which has 'FUN' at the centre of its manifesto! I was on my way home last night on the metro - at 2.00 am it was packed, actually rush hour style packed. A little like England, it was full of merry and very drunk revelers but the atmosphere was of fun and care-free, another Saturday night in a city that knows how to relax and enjoy itself.
I've decided I am not going to become one of those cocky Londoners who says "well, Madrid's got nothing on London mate" no no, I love Madrid for what it is. I ignore the remarks of a girl when I went to Barcelona saying 'it's obvious which city is better, Barcelona' and choose to listen to the other Barcelonian who said "Madrid is much friendlier" - too right.
So, Madrid news. I am choosing my courses for second semester and it seems normal life has been put on hold while this fiasco continues - it involves going to as many courses as possible to try them out and see if you want to do them. Well, I'm sure the task would be made easier but no less stressful if I actually went to some of the classes. Truth be told, I am finding it hard to muster the enthusiasm for trying out every class on offer. I am not alone, most of my erasmus companions feel the same. So instead, I'm hoping that of the few courses I'll go to this week, I'll be able to pick some that I REALLY want to do!
Apart from that free time is aplenty. As the courses haven't begun, and the weather is gorgeous, me and my friends are doing a lot of hanging out and it seems, a lot of eating. Now the weather's getting nicer there will be more going on in the city; a calender full of events to look forward right up until I leave Spain. I am going back to England for easter but after then I will be back with visitors. First of all some uni friends will arrive meaning a lot of Madrid sightseeing. Then it's the turn of my father and his girlfriend - that will involve a lot of culture, walking tours and achy legs but also, a trip out of the city into unexplored territory...I hear it may also involve a night's stay in a castle...
Right, I'll leave it there for now. Hasta muy pronto