Yesterday morning I got up bright and early to head to Madrid for a day filled with lacrosse. I was up at 5:15 am ( and no, I was not coming home from a night out). Had my back pack packed and Lacrosse sticks ready to go. It turned out only 3 of us were making the trip from Valencia...Jose, who was driving, a new kid from Sweden and myself. We left VLC at about 6 am for what should be a 3.5 hour ride. Well, about an hour into the trip, it sounded like we had a flat tire. So, we pull over look at the tire, using cell phone light because it's still only 7 am and dark...and one of the bolts had come loose. We remove the bolt, and attempt to keep on trekking. The rattling tire sound continues and to make a long story short, Jose has to tighten all the bolts on the tires and we make it safely to Madrid (in the end, the van had to be brought to a shop and was towed back to VLC...thank goodness for spain's version of triple a!)
We played with a team from the European University of Madrid and ended up winning all three games. The team consisted of 3 or 4 spanish guys who are solid players and play for the Spain National team, a boy from the States who plays goalie at Amherst, 2 kids from germany (one had a SICK shot and the other a Long Stick D) and the Swedish kid (who had played for the national team in Sweden). I played alright, but it's still pretty awkward with helmets and just not being prepared for the quick check or push..but overall, a lot of fun..scored 1 goal and some ground balls so I was happy. Also, met the girls that play in Madrid and they are sooooo nice, made me wish I could live in Madrid and train with them. They are going to play in Munich in February, so I may make the trip with them!
After a full day of lax, we were lucky to find a hostel during the holiday weekend thanks to Spain's airspace being closed and people missing there flights. We had a low key night..pizza and beer... followed by deeeeep sleeeep. Sunday morning there was lacrosse practice for any of the teams that stuck around and wanted to train...so the boys went to that, while I passed as I was going to head out later in the afternoon.
So, I couldn't leave Madrid without doing something cultural or touristy, so I hit up the "Rastro" with a girl who I had met last year in Extremadura (she was randomly staying at the same hostel and also had some time to kill the next morning). The Rastro is between street market/flee market/cheap stuff. It was cool to walk around and see the different stands, from "designer purses" to a stand of rubber bands to antique shops. We also had some vermouth as is the custom for Madridians before after or during their trip to the Rastro (read the guide book!)
After the market, I couldn't help but do a little shopping and hit up Zara before returning to my hostel, grabbing my b-pack and lacrosse sticks and heading to the bus station. A bus ride and 4 hours later, I was back in VLC, still tired and ready to just plop down on the couch.... A very fun day/night trip but always good to be home.
So, off to Mérida on tuesday for a week, one more week in VLC and home for christmas...JODER time flies!
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