my very last days in Madrid

Thursday, December 17, 2009 was my last full day in Madrid.  (The next day I basically stayed at home during the day packing and crying). 
I think it is worth remembering what I did:   
• Took my last final at the fundación (conversation with Estrella)
• Went to visit Conchi at the Pharmacy and brought her a smiley face cookie from the pastelería by the fundación
• Did some souvenir shopping in Sol
• Read my book on a bench by Palacio Real for a little before meeting Erinn and Rachel at Cien Montaditos for lunch. 
• When I started walking to Cien, an older couple asked me (in Spanish, of course) about how to enter the palace. I tried my best explaining it to them in Spanish and thought that I was kind of struggling, but the lady said “De dónde eres? Hablas bien espanol.”  That made me feel so good. I felt happy, a little accomplished, and better about leaving Madrid.
• Met up with Devin to do some more souvenir shopping.  We talked a lot about our semesters and summed up our experiences. We got chocolate croissants/napolitanas at this amazing bakery called La Mallorquina Pastelería! They cost only one Euro, and my only regret I had about my time in Madrid quickly became that I hadn’t found out about that bakery sooner and gone often.
• Went out with EVERYONE in the fundación program, including Miriam and Nacho, to La Via Lactica bar and had a great time. We really had such a great group!
Friday, December 18, 2009:
• The day before my flight back to the United States, I was finally forced to start (and finish) packing.  So that is what I spent most of the day doing, in between talking/drinking cofee with Concha, and crying.  (When I was getting sad she was like "Ven aquí cariño, y toma un cafetito conmigo").
• Later in the evening, the roommates and I went to Sol to walk around and see the Christmas lights.  Of course I had to get a chocolate napolitana again from that bakery since it was my last chance. 
• Then we had our last dinner together-"La última cena."  I can't remember exactly what we ate, but I think empanadas (my favorite!) were a part of the meal.  :)  Then Concha came over and Lexi, Rachel, Erinn, and I each took a picture with the whole Barahona familia (Santiago, Concha, Conchi y Cris).  We took some other pictures and had to say goodbye to Santiago.  (The rest of the family would be there in the morning to bid us farewell before our flight).  
• To go out "big" on my last night in Madrid, I went to the 7-story club Kapital with my friends Brittany, Delia, and Kelsey.  And yes, we stayed out all night (till 6am) and took the metro home (last metro ride) even though we had to wake up only a couple hours later to go to the airport.  "Go big or go home!," right?  I like to say I went big and then went home. haha