Jamon, Mcdonalds, Chocolate, And Bunuelos!

Going to Madrid the first time I had no idea what to expect of the food. I knew they did the whole Tapas thing, But I had no idea what, "Tapas" even meant. I will admit I am a little naive and thought that Spanish food would be similar to Mexican cooking. And it's in no way the same. In the grocery stores there, they have a special section for "mexican cusine" filled with re fried beans, tortillas, and tacos. 
The first night we went in search of some Spanish treats. After going around Puerta de Sol and looking at numerous restaurants a cafes, we tried the first Tapas bar. We had no clue what to do. I did read in my Spain guide book I brought that Tapas is small portions of different foods. Like a appetizer. You sit at the bar and wait for the tapas to be brought out. Some bars have free tapas treat if you buy a drink. Others you pay maybe a Euro per treat. Well... I did not understand how to even ask to get a tapas. Its like a secret code, and you have to just know. Don't ask. The locals did not want to help you figure out the Tapas way of life. if you don't know how to even start, just leave. So, after going in two different bars and failing miserably with e tapas circus. We ended up at the cafe/ semi fast food. I got bad/overpriced pasta.  After the first night I was so discouraged about the food in Madrid. I started thinking that I might be living off bread and water. You can't go wrong with bread and water, no mater what country your in. But after a good nights rest we stared out on a new foot.
McDonald's
By our hotel there was a McDonald's. I know people probably think that your In a foreign country, why go to McDonald's?? Well I love visiting McDonald in other countries. Everyone is so different. So for breakfast we tried it out. While using my Mexican Spanish ,ordered a egg mcmuffin and Cafe con Leche. They also have a amazing sausage mcmuffin. The sausage has a chorizo type flavor. I loved there breakfast!! Very yummy and the egg is made fresh! Not a weird premade egg circle that I normally expect when I got to McDonald.
Another crazy Spanish McDonald's tradition I found was they serve beer there! On tap! Very random I know. I would sit there looking at the people with white cups and a beer logo on it and I was like "OMG is McDonald's serving beer now??" Oh yeah go to Mac D's and get wasted! That's my kinda night!

Panadería off Calle de Ventura Rodríguez By Hotel Mercure plaza de Espana

Just ten feet from Our hotel was the cutest neighborhood bakery. Its only big enough for two customers to fit in at a time. They had the best pastry treats and breads! Little Bunuelos (Bunuelos are doughnut like treats that are round and normally filled with chocolate/vuinella or cafe cream.) and churros. You can also get a huge water bottle for one Euro! Great deal. I would go every morning and load up on water and sweet carb filled treats!

San Miguel Market

This is the hot spot to go for tapas! It's like a food court in the way it has different carts/stands set up with food. It's indoors and very nice. A upscale food court. You wait in line, or take a number and jump to it when your called. They have everything from Olives to Mexican tapas. My favorites were the cheese or Queso stand with cheese from Spain and all over Europe. You pick out your favorite cheese and you get a slice of Delicious bread. YES PLEASE! I also love the sugar cart as I call it filled with Bunuelos, Ice cream, Churros and of course... the Chocolate Drink. you get this hot chocolate wannabe drink and order a churro to dip in and your set. The Chocolate drink is pure melted chocolate. that you drink.. straight. Its super sweet and strong at first but so very good!  I also had to get a couple quiches while I was there to. I went back to this market every afternoon. Hey, you find something you like why not stick with it. Finding a table is a game that after a couple hours I mastered. There are only long five tables. And people are like vultures waiting for a seat to be open. You have to stand watch for one seat to open. And most likely you will sit with other people. Which is nice sometimes. Meet new people! This is defiantly a place I dream about at night. That creamy cheese and bread and sugary treats!!! Ok I'm hungry now!

Thai Restaurant by Plaza De Espana

I love This place!! The Atmosphere, the food, the people. Everything was perfect!

A special place in my heart.. Madrid, España!

I went to Madrid in October of 2010. I spent a week there. I also did a day trip to Segovia. Madrid is different then I expected. It's full of culture, hip people and great food. Madrid has a calm feeling about it. I always feel like cites have their own moods. Their own feelings and heart. Madrid mood was calm, cool, and collected. Not too much effort to be hip, it just is.
It is also oddly enough, a romantic city. Everyone in Madrid is either in love or in the process of being in love or thinking about making love. Everyone was a couple. Holding hands, kissing. And no one cares about PDA being awkward. They are all for it. It's kind of charming in a way. The way these couples look at each other while walking to work, its heart warming.


 

The other surprising thing about Madrid was how they perceive fashion. All the girls wear black legging or tights with boots and jackets. EVERY FEMALE. It's almost a must if you to go to Madrid in the fall you must wear this outfit. Women there are not over accessorized, or trying to hard. It's effortless.

My Must sees Madrid!

Parque De Retiro

Retiro Park is a huge park in Madrid. It has a large lake. You can rent boats and have a fine afternoon paddling around with the family. There are people doing magic tricks in the streets, wannabe Mickey Mouse’s dressed up to get pictures with, and popcorn and candy vendors. I went on a Sunday, which was also Columbus Day. One surprising thing about Spain is that Columbus Day is a national holiday. Most businesses are closed. Which was weird because in America you don't even realize it Columbus Day till like the day is over and you go on Google and the homepage tells you! We decided to go to the Park that afternoon since everything was closed. Which was clearly everyone else’s idea as well. It was packed! It's the hot spot for families who wanted to escape to a wooded, green paradise in the concrete jungle of Madrid. It was such a peaceful escape, just sitting on the steps under the equestrian statue of King Alfonso XII. Being with the locals. Just watching how the locals interact with each other. And of course in Madrid fashion, seeing lots of couples renting row boats or holding hands while sitting in silence watching the sunset. I got a popcorn and coke, wonderful little afternoon park snack. There is also lots of monuments and historical buildings to look at. The park was originally created for the royal family, and you can tell that in all the beautiful statues and architecture made for royalty. I would 100% love to spend many more afternoons riding a bike or reading a book in this "parque." A nice change to my normal travel style. Just spending a afternoon not rushed to look at the next "must see" from TripAdvisor, but just "being."


Collecting rocks!



Chicos Playing a game!

What would you do if you knew you could not fail?

I'm talking a break from my on going writings about Cabo. I want to talk about something I have recently been trying to work on and add to my everyday life. One of my favorite quotes I keep posted up in my bedroom is "What would you do if you knew you could not fail?" When I travel I feel like I can do anything. I am untouchable. I can talk to a complete stranger and not worry if they are going to like me or not. I can try new foods and try new activities. I don't know if anyone else is this way but, for me when I am at home I am nervous and shy and worried if I talk to someone new at the bar or mall I might see them again and they might not like me and it will be awkward. Yeah I'm thinking all that. At home in your safe place, you get lazy and don't want to go outside you comfort zone. At home you get in the everyday grind and you go to work, eat, sleep, repeat. You forget that ,there is a whole world out there with different people and different food and way of life. I believe that why most people don't travel more is because of fear. Fear that they won't know how to act or where to go once there, or fear of the outcome.

Yes for some people they can live life not worrying about what someone will think if they laugh real loud or dance like a jack ass. Some people can go sky diving at the drop of a hat. They don't care about "failing." When I travel I am superwoman. I am calm and happy. I want to learn to translate this into my everyday life.
I recently went on a vacation alone. Yes. ALONE. Finally I did it. I knew that I would have to talk to people and step outside my comfort zone of being shy, to make friends and have a good time. I met the most amazing people. I had fun and was myself. I did all this as myself. I would never be this way at home.
I Love "Vacation Heather." She isn't Worried about how to act or whats acceptable. She doesn't worry about work or money.  I want to help others step outside of there comfort zones. If we can be our "Vacation" self everyday, just think how amazing life would be. So fun, so calm.  So I say from here on out "Vacation Heather" will be Heather 24/7. You should try it too. Go on what's that worst that could happen. Just like the quote said, let's live like we could not fail.

Yeah.... this is me. On Vacation. I look so stupid, But... I DON'T CARE. I am having fun. This is me.

So what? 

Bring on Cabo San Lucas: Part Dos!

Cabo is popular for a couple of reasons. Fishing for Marlins, whale watching, the famous archway, and the nightlife(my favorite part.) Now I have never fished,or whale watched in Cabo so I will write about what I know. Lovers beach and nightlife!
                                                Lover's Beach
In the middle of the large rocks by the Archway or Lands end is Lover's beach.  I took a water taxi to lovers beach. Which is only $12 round trip. I have also set up a glass bottom boat ride through my hotel. It was twenty dollars and you are taken to the marina by a bus that picks up people at other hotel and drop's off at the marina. Then you get the Boat and it takes about twenty minutes to get to the beach. This all includes a mini tour of the Archway, "Scooby Doo" rock and the sea lions. Which is a nice way to see everything, I think. When you arrive at Lover's Beach you have to Jump off the boat into the choppy waters and hope that you don't fall on your ass like a idiot. The waves in Cabo are very very big, and the good thing is there are locals waiting to help you off the boat and with your bags. Don't worry, they are just wanting a dollar or two for helping. TAKE IT. Believe me let them help you off the boat so you don't fall under the boat or something. They are good people they are not trying to steal your bags or something. The Glass bottom boat and water taxi are both small boats. If it's your first time I say to the glass bottom boat tour.The water is clear and the fish you can see are beautiful. It's worth it. Once on Lover's beach both boat rides will pick you up at what ever time, every hour they run, so you can stay for a hour or 5 if you want.  It's a pretty quiet beach. Beautiful place to take pictures. Locals love to come here too, when they get the chance.

Lover's Beach

There are also activities like zip line, four wheeling through the dessert, Para sailing, and jet skiing. Personally the best way to set this up is through your activities company at the hotel. Its safer and normally a reasonable price.

Forget Cancun, Bring on Cabo San Lucas!

My first time I went to Cabo San Lucas was in February 2010. Now this was not a intentional trip, I was supposed to end up in Seoul, S. Korea. But as a Flight Attendant and always being on Standby I had to be prepared for anything. The flight to Seoul was oversold so that was a no go. So we looked into what flights were open. It was Cabo san Lucas or Puerto Vallarta. We chose Cabo. After this one three day trip I was HOOKED! I have since been back 4 times and counting.

  Getting Around
When you arrive by air its just like any other vacation spot in Mexico. Going thru the gauntlet as I call it. You come out with your bags and have no clue where to go or what to do. you have twenty men yelling and calling to you and it can be very over whelming. But it doesn't have to be. you can set up a transportation service before hand if you used a vacation company such as Funjet or Apple vacations you can set up a shuttle service to your hotel. Or you can go to Best Day travel and reserve a shuttle to your hotel. These prices vary form $16-$19 one way.
When I go, I have used the EcoBaja tours bus. It is $16 and it drops off at many different hotels. Now this form of transportation to your hotel does take a bit longer but its cheaper then taking a taxi. Also the EcoBaja tours bus you can pick up right as you get into Cabo. No need to get prearranged service. You can also take a taxi. 

Once at your hotel depending on how far you are from the downtown area of Cabo San Lucas you will most likely have to take a taxi into town. There is also a public Bus that is around $2.00 per trip. I have never used the bus but I have heard its safe. But most tourist use the taxis.  The normal price to the downtown area is $12.00. Heather Tip* Most everywhere in Cabo expects US dollars.

Welcome World travelers and future World travelers!

Greetings everyone!
I created this blog for every type of traveler out there. The Dreamer, the expert, and the "Once a year vacation" kinda person.  Seeing the world is something very important to me. Every different city, country,and Continent offers new and wonderful surprises. Different cultures, I believe, can teach you new things about yourself  and about the people around you.
  I am a Flight Attendant for a US carrier that shall remain nameless.. All I will say is that I work for the express side. I go all over the US and parts of Canada. But even though I don't work overseas, I get AMAZING Flight benefits!  So I will be posting fun little snip-its about different Trips in the US and all over the world in months to come. Also I will be posting pictures and airport tutorials.


Adios!
<3 Heather