Today marks my full week in Madrid. When I first got here I was met by Albert (father) who took me to their condo and I met Azucena (mother) and Hannah (child). I also met Maria their house keeper and Azucena’s mother too. Oh, and also David, Albert’s intern. My day was very full and I started straight to work trying to play with Hannah and get her accustom to me.
Since then, I’ve learned the daily routines of Hannah and the family here. They are nice people. Hannah is a child that is used to routine, which is good. She is very big and intelligent for her age. She will be 2 years old in April.
I help in the mornings getting her ready for school and then after school we play games, I feed her dinner and help with bath time, this will be my job, but, she doesn’t let me help with it at all. (Hannah is very cranky at bath time). Hannah is a very affectionate girl, but, of course like any child gets upset when she doesn’t get her way. We’ve had good days and we’ve had some bad days. 
I’ve ventured out a few times because I have a lot of time on my hands during the daytime. I’ve not yet gone into any of the museums yet, but soon will. I’ve seen the plaza mayor, visited the sol area, people watched, I went to the Jardines del Buen Retiro, which is very big. I’m waiting for the weather to warm up just a bit, and I will definitely be outside more.
Today I went to the local market that is in our neighborhood on Tuesdays, for being so little there were many people shouting!
On a typical weekday I get Hannah out of bed at 8:00am and change her into her school clothes. Then wash up, brush our teeth and comb the hair. She has a few fiber cookies and we are out the door with mommy who drives her to school.
We go pick her up from school around 5:00pm and we play/read books/do whatever Hannah wants to do. Then comes dinner and bath time, we play a bit more and around 8:00 she is ready for bed. That is my typical day with Hannah.
Besides that I have started Spanish classes for immigrants on Mon and Wed. Which only take up the morning, then I’m out exploring the rest of the time. Lunch is around 2:30 here in Madrid, which is pretty late and dinner time is around 8:30-9. Pretty much EVERYTHING is closed between 2:30 and 4 or 5 in the afternoon. Life is definitely different around here.
I thought the people would be a bit more friendly on the streets, I have found it hard to make a person smile while passing them en route. I haven’t really made any friend yet, but, I have to remind myself I’ve only been here a week, and need patience.
On a side note apart from anything Madrid related. I do enjoy using commas in my sentences when I write!
She goes to school and she is only two? Is it private daycare?
Any other Americans in your Spanish class? Enjoy your latest adventure!
Thanks for the update Maggs! I do love hearing from you.
That is a very long school day for a 2 year old. Is this comman practice?
Also, it is not the custom to smile at people that pass by on the streets in Spain. Nothing personal, they just don’t do that. You are seeing Spanish/European behavior which is very different from behavior in Mexico and other central american countries. I think due to the mix of indigenous backgrounds.
Try to look for an evangelical church. May be your best bet for finding friends. Do you know of any? I can try my contacts too.
Try not to overuse those commas!
Well Rebekah, I like to sleep a lot, the best place is the bed. hehe.
yeah, I didn’t find people in Madrid to be the friendliest people on the planet. But, Europe is a different bird. Gotta learn the culture. Glad you are doing a spanish class!
Hope you can connect with Laura soon!
I like commas too…lol Keep smiling…it’s infectious 🙂