Madrid

We arrived in the early morning saturday to what seemed like heaven, Espana. You see in Spain people do a few things that the french don't let's name a few smile, have personalities, live at a normal pace, don't have grudges against Americans, etc. We spent the normal twenty minutes wondering around the train station in complete disarray. We finally stumbled upon the right metro and were on our way to Metro stop Sevilla. When we arrived at our hostal we were greeted with big smiles and warm welcomes. The first afternoon was spent enjoying the culture in deep siestas. Around 5pm or so we headed out on the town. The languague barrier doesnt seem quite as bad here. We toured the normal touristy things until dinner time. On our 5th night in Europe we finally ate a real meal of food, Mexican. In Madrid the streets come alive at night time. We toured the night vendors and shows until 1am, stopping along the way for a cervaza every half hour or so. Sunday we strolled to Atocha which is the train station we will be leaving out. Afterwards we made our way to the botanical gardens we were lounged around for a few hours enjoying a sunday in the park. We ran into a college group from Georgia who blatantly asked us "what state are you from". We simply responded with how did you know and she answered Chacos, Vera Bradley, and a tshirt that says washington D.C. might have given it away. We laughed. Tonight is our last night in Madrid as we head east towards the mediterran for Barcelona.

Things we learned in Madrid

1. Spainairds love Jamon

2. Toilet paper doesn't flush

3. Lebron James is going to be a Knick

4. Spainairds don't sleep which also means they don't wake

Things we loved in Madrid

1. cheap beer. Mahou, the cerveza nationale is 2 euro a six pack....

1b. When the liquor stores close street vendors sell beer illegally which is a great ammentity.

2. The weather is 85 degrees everyday.

3. Spain has a beautiful history of architecture, personality, generiousity.

The French are assholes Harry...

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For the most part our time in Paris has been a breeze. In three days we walked more than 18 miles across Paris. We saw the Louvre, Arc dse Triumphe, Notre Dame, The Pantheone, Effiel Tower, our favorite the Sacre Cour, and every side street Paris has to offer.

Today is the first day we have seen the sun since arriving three days ago. Last night we sat on the steps of the Sacre Cour (translation house of the donkey...) among the finest 400 Europeans around. Each equipped with no less than 3 bottles of vino a piece. Although the crowd was rowdy we each enjoyed our own view of the Paris city scape effiel, Notre Dome, etc.

Tonight we are headed to Espana and couldnt be more excited. Viva La Madrid

Things we learned in Paris:

1. We speak American; not to be confused with English. A mean Frenchman at the train station refused us service, while working the English line mind you, because we spoke a foul piggish language....

2. Mallory is not allowed to use the bathroom at the Louvre; case still pending.

3. Mike is allergic to Paris as he sneezes every five minutes.

Things we loved:

1. This really is the city of Love; more people making out on the streets than an eighth grade dance.

2. they really enjoy their bread and love their cheap vino.

3. the architecture is amazing.

Cities in the next week:

Madrid may 30th and 31st Hostal Villar

Barcelona June 1st thru 3rd Centre Point

With much love M and M

Eastbound and down

First off we want to let everyone know that keyboards in Europe are not the same as the US so bare with us as we post.

Our flight across the pond could not have been better. We landed in Dublin at 4:45 am just in time to see a beautiful Irish sunrise. After a short hop, skip, and a jump across the english channel we finally arrived in Paris. As to be expected it was a beautiful day in Paris; cold, wet, and rainy. Rain jackets became our best investment as we wondered the most romantic city in the world dripping wet and completely lost. After an hour or so we finally found the wonderful Hotel Andre Gill (our first hotel). Right smack on the edge of the red light district, seriously we are two blocks from Moulin Rouge. Once we finally got checked in we sat our bags down and instantly passed out for a short 4 hour nap. Around 7pm we headed out to explore a bit. This was the second time today and surely not to be the last; we were seriously humbled at the sheer size of this city. We wondered around the National Musicans Hall of Fame, the Grand Palis and miracisly made it right back to where we started in 2 and a half hours. We stopped by the local market picked up fresh bread, swiss cheese, salimi, and a bottle of wine and for 7 euro we dined liked kings.

Off to the Effiel tower, Louvre, etc tomorrow

Pictures to come soon

We love and miss everyone already M &M

Welcome!

First, I want to welcome everyone to our blog and say thank you for following our trip across the pond. Rather than sending out update emails to everyone I encourage you to subscribe to this blog and it will update you as we update it. We will try our best to keep everyone in the know with pictures and postings.

Now with all the intro stuff out of the way an update on our preparation for the trip.

Things we have already

1.)Plane tickets to Europe

2.)Euro rail passes

3.)Travelers Insurance

4.) Extensive knowledge of anything and everything Rick Steve's has said, will say or could say about western Europe.

Things we're still working on

1.) odds and ins of what we should pack

2.) If we have the appropriate wall converter, Mal would really like to not burn down the first hostel we stay in.

3.)trip Itinerary

Please feel free to post any comments and we plan on updating the site with a preliminary itinerary. Feel free to make any comments about places we should or shouldn't see at each destination.

Thanks,

Mike and Mal