Dreaming of Spain

I can't even begin to describe how excited I am at the thought of -- nay, vision! --- of being accepted into IE... to be part of that alumni network ... to study in a city as vibrant as Madrid.... to learn to speak Castilliano... ooohhhh!

I can almost imagine myself walking into that class on the first day.... this will be life changing.

On Sunday, I am having lunch with my best friend at El Comedor, the local Spanish restaurant. I know I am just going to talk his head off over IE, but he loves the paella with its crunchy soccarat, and the juicy tender cochinillo asado ala Madrileno, El Comedor's specialty.

I actually tried to find its namesake when I was in Madrid in 2003. Didn't have any luck. The Spain holiday was quite nice, although it was really for my husband. He is a Celtic fan and was among the 80, 000 or so Hoop fans who trekked to Seville and drank 300 kegs of beer in just under 2 days....

He gave in after the disappointing UEFA game (for which we paid 500 quid for tickets) , and we went down to visit La Mesquita in Cordoba, walked down the small cobbled streets with the flower pots hanging on the wall (love it!), we took a bus tour around Seville, and a horse carriage ride through Plaza de Espana and Parque Maria Luisa. We didn't have enough time to take a tour through the rest of andalucia. We went to Madrid where I had two days of shopping , and after my husband took me for dinner at Cafe de Oriente, right across the Royal Palaza and the Opera House. I love that place! I can imagine myself sitting there again, watching people walk by.

I have to admit, I felt quite threatened in Puerta del Sol, but then the plaza is a tourist magnet. I almost felt like I was in the downtown market of Manila, and I had my bag clutched tightly in front of me. I felt more threatened there than I did in the flea markets of Porte de Clignancourt in Paris (and my Korean classmate had her wallet stolen there!)

I don't know if it's the age (I was quite naive when I went to Paris) or the harsh reality of life, but I am more worried about crime whether in the UK or Spain. Am I worried about terrorism? Not as much as getting mugged, or being singled out for hate crime.

I think I would prefer a shared residence but with enough privacy as having a comfortable size room and en-suite bath. I am a diva in that sense... I have to HAVE fluffy pillow (preferably scented with lavender), double linens made up like a hotel bed, and a nice bathroom. I have to have a nice bath. When we are overseas, I actually move hotels because of the bathroom. I can take a small room. I can take limited cable channels. I cannot stand crappy bathrooms! Right now, our flat has a marble bathroom, with wallpaper around the commode. I bought a new shower curtain and matching bath rugs to match the custom made candles I purchased for our old flat. I set it up with crystals and plumeria shaped candles on top of Thai brown ceramics. In fact the whole design is inspired by a Thai spa. I have a whole set of bamboo trays to hold everything from my perfume collection to combs and cotton pads. There is candle everywhere, fluffy towels. and bath products to rival any spa. Those I will definitely pack when I go away for biz school. Life will be hard in MBA, I deserve my comforts.

Enough, I am blabbering now.