Merlina’s Inner Sanctum

…which seems to be all over the place right now. Looking at some pictures from last year, I got sentimental about the people I left behind in the US. I guess I had never activly realized how much time I spent with some people and how much fun we had together. With others that is more obvious and of course I miss those of you as well. For a second I got all excited about moving back to the US, but then quickly realized that that would mean leaving my European friends behind again, of whom I got to see a lot more of this year. And then there a friends in other places of the world - turkey, south america, australia, etc. The thought that I will probably never be able to have all of you together in one place makes me sad. On the other hand it is quite nice to know that I can be at home in so many places in the world. Because home is where the heart is.

The day I left Sweden was cold and snowy. At least it was sunny, which I cannot say about the days since I have returned. When I finally arrived in Madrid at midnight after a 10 hour trip, of which 6 where spent travelling to the airport in Malmo with various combinations of public transportation and there was … life. It really struck me how lively Spain/Madrid was compared to the country I had just left (unless you consider the tipsy arrogant guy who was trying to talk my ear off in the airplane lively). I smiled and quickly got used to it. The metro system from the aiport was amazingly quick and efficient and I arrived at S+G’s house 45 minutes after I landed even though the were located in the middle of the city. The next morning S and I went on a walking tour of Madrid - Plaza de Sol, de Mayor, etc, etc. Most of it can be seen in the picture section. The weather was gorgious - sunny and about 16 degrees Celsius (and it stayed like that for my entire time there). We really just walked around for most of the day, went home for lunch and the siesta time - everything is seriously closed between noon and 2 pm. For dinner, since vegetarian cuisine is rare in spain (O-ton G. - S’s boyfriend to his roommates about me: she is also a little weird with her eating choices - S is a vegetarian too. Roomate: oh no, an invasion) we went to an amzing cheese place. Mind you, dinner was at 10:30 pm, so by the time we were done it was midnight, we went out for some drinks and then I was ready to go home. I have no idea how Spaniards party to 6 am. I feel old.
The next morning, really afternoon, I left S+G to meet R and we decided to take the bus to Toledo for the afternoon. An amazing old city, which made me realize how much historic architectur Germany is missing after the bombings of world war II. Again, we walked around for most of the day, just looking at the sights and enjoying the weather. We took the bus back and went straight to the city R. lives in - Alcala, about 45 minutes by train from Madrid. The next day we explored Alcala, also a very historic town and then just took it easy. Monday R. had to work, so I met S. in Madrid for lunch at a VEGETARIAN restaurant. We explored the city some more and then I went to Centro de Arte Reina Sofia - the modern art museums to see the famous Guernica by Picasso. I met R. there and we had dinner in the city before returning to Alcala. Tuesday was my last day and as R. had to work again, I met S. for an early lunch at noon at G.s house before heading off for the airport. All in all it was good to see two good old friends and experience a little bit of a different culture - a culture that is lively!!
Returning to Malmo on Tuesday night, I met up with one of my roommates for another couch surfing adventure. This time the people were really nice and even waited for me with the dinner they cooked. What a great experience. The next day we explored a little bit of Malmo including some fair-trade and eco stores, where I finally decided to get a new pair of sneakers. We then ended took the train home and both fell asleep the second we got on.
Now its back to thesis, and honestly its quite hard to adjust back to working mode, but I guess it will happen somehow. Until then I will dream of sun and warmth…

I am feeling homy these days. While last semester, I was out on the town all the time dancing…and mostly dancing, these days I just want to stay at home, drink tea and watch TV. Partly, it probably just has to do with the weather…or maybe I am just getting old and settling down :) Cooking all the time, cleaning, staying home…I think its a clear indication…

So I wrote this last week and ironically since then I have been out partying, etc. For now, I am off to Spain (and I hope the plane leaves on time in this snow chaos, although the sun just came out). I also just posted new pictures because I realized how little of that I have done over the last few months. More to come…stay tuned!