And to finish it off...

Finally, I will end my account of Spring Break 2007. Actually I will probably keep remembering things and mentioning them but this is a good overview of it all.

Day 9 Friday
We arrived back in Tangier in the morning and hiked on over to the port. Got some ferry tickets only to get a little lost and be unsure of where to get on the boat. So we ended up just missing our boat. But the ferry guys took pity on us and snuck us on to another boat that was leaving just a few minutes later. Literally, they snuck us on. Our tickets were for another ferry company so they led us onto the boat through the cargo area and then we climbed up the maintenance ladders in the interior of the boat. And emerged into the main cabin from a door that said 'Employees Only.' That was pretty cool. This ferry was not super fast so it took about 3 hours. Most of them were spent sleeping. Having made it back to Algeciras we got to the bus station, grabbed some food and hopped on a very hot bus back to Sevilla. Hot and crowded but again, I slept and stared out the window a lot. In Sevilla we had to go to the other bus station so we took a local city bus there (a lost of bus transportation happening) only to find we had missed the bus to Madrid by 15 minutes. And the next one didn't leave til midnight. So we had about 6 hours to kill. Fortunately, Esther was still in Sevilla with her friends so we met up with them for dinner. I had a lovely time with them; they're all awesome people. So that was nice even though our plans had been all messed up. I had been getting very testy with my two travel companions lately and a break from their company was needed. It was just too much time with each other, aggravated by much travel and uncertain circumstances. But at midnight we got on another hot and crowded bus and set off on our last bus journey.

Day 10 Saturday
We arrived in Madrid at 7 AM which is too early for anything, including checking into our hostel so we sat around the bus station for awhile. This was the same station that we had slept outside of on our first night so we had really come full circle. But we knew from previous experience that there were excellent croissants to be had so that's what we did, ate croissants. Around 9 we went to our hostel where we dropped off our bags because check-in wasn't until noon. Then we walked around Madrid a bit. Having been there before, I could find my around to the major attractions. It was funny how familiar Madrid felt even though I don't actually know it that well. But having come from a place where I couldn't speak the languages and had no idea where I was ever going, this felt like home. We had churros for breakfast then went to the Prado which I enjoyed immensely. But again my travel companions were getting cranky and clearly did not enjoy the art like I did. So we left relatively soon and went to the hostel for a siesta. They went to sleep but I decided to walk around Madrid more. I also checked my email and felt really popular because I had a lot of emails. I also called Jake and made plans to hang out with him that evening. I figured he would be good to have around since he's been living in Madrid and also it would be another relief from my fellow travelers. Then I too took a siesta and a much needed shower. We went to the Plaza Mayor which was packed with Danish people in town for the Spain v. Denmark match. They were funny and drunk even though the game was still 5 hours away. We just had drinks and watched all the activity for awhile. Then for dinner, I had fish and chips. I know, not exactly Spanish. But in Marrakech, all the people pick up random British phrases and just yell them at you to get your attention. And one of them is fish and chips so I had been thinking about them a lot. And luckily the guy at the hostel recommended a nearby restaurant that happened to serve fish and chips. It was destiny. Finally we met up with Jake and his roommate Alec whereupon we hopped back and forth between a couple of pubs to watch the soccer game. Ashly left really early because she was tired and then Alec left to meet some of his Spanish friends. Molly proceeded to drink a lot more than either me or Jake and tried to befriend some Danes. She also really did not like Jake. Why? I'm not sure but at that point I didn't care what she thought. I was getting really mean and hostile to Ashly and Molly by this point. Anyway, around 3 AM we went home, only after I flat out rejected Molly's pleas to go to a club with some Danish guys. She was pissed about that but I was tired.

Day 11 Sunday
Had another chance to sleep in. As usual I was up before everyone else but I liked having some time to myself. When they got up we got breakfast and then went out into the city again. It was a lovely day; I was again perfectly content to just walk around. We passed by the Palacio Real and then sat in the Plaza de Espana for a bit, people watching and the like. Esther was supposed to meet us in Madrid on Monday for our flight home but got confused and went to the airport Sunday morning. So she decided to just go home that day. Molly and Ashly, hating Madrid, decided they wanted to do the same but it would've been way too expensive so they were forced to stay. I would've preferred having them leave because they were really bringing me down. Fortunately, we went to the Parque del Buen Retiro which was packed with people out enjoying Sunday afternoon. I ditched the two of them and met Jake and some of his friends. We walked around and talked until I was called back to the two helpless ones. We didn't have a hostel booked for that night so they needed me figure out what to do. So we went back to the hostel from the night before and got beds there. Not that difficult. Then I met Jake again for tapas and Ashly and Molly went somewhere else for tapas. They were invited along with me and Jake but I just couldn't handle them anymore. The whole situation had gotten pretty bad. Anyway, I had a lot of fun in Madrid, even if nobody else did. So then I went to bed and woke up 5 hours later to get our flight back to Rome which went smoothly. Or as smoothly as it can go when you can't even bear to look at the people you're traveling with. I'm being harsh. But anyway, it felt nice to be back in Rome. It was truly like coming home. Except we came home to a not from JCU Housing saying they had inspected our apartment and it was "a shambles! unacceptable!!" Now, I know it was a little messy and maybe more than a little dirty but nothing compared to some other people's apartments. Nevertheless, I agree, it was not acceptable. Last night Esther and I cleaned the entire place, top to bottom. I feel much better now. Other roommates didn't help and didn't say thanks. What are you going to do?

So that was my spring break. I keep remembering little details that are funny/awesome/mean but I don't have the energy to include them now. Hopefully I'll just remember them and they'll come out when I talk about my adventures. All in all, it was an amazing trip. I can do anything now. I even looked up shark diving but that is pretty expensive so until I get a financial sponsor, that'll have to wait. I'll figure out some other things to do. My relationships with Ashly and Molly have changed; I know them a lot better and I know that we're not so compatible as travellers. I also know that I will always have to travel. I love being at home but new places are amazing. So yes, I am ruined. Well, that's it for now. I've got to get back to school work even though I decided I should be having more fun. And fun is taking time from school. Ah, so be it. Mom, Dad, Galen, and Nolan will be here in a week! I am so excited to see them. Unfortunately, they won't be able to meet Molly or Meryl as they are going to Greece for Easter. I would've liked to have them meet each other but I guess it's not meant to be. Actually, right now, I am going to make some pasta. My favorite.