I'd Forgotten How Much Fun Excursions Are!

Today we had a class trip! To Plaza Mayor -


- a big square in the middle of central Madrid.

Our mission? To interview English-speaking tourists about their accents for a presentation in English Conversation Class.

Did we choose to accept it? Well... for about 30 minutes of the 3 hours we did. But I'm a new, Australian kid in Madrid! Was the right thing to do our assignment, or to have my friends show me around? I think you know the answer.



We hung out with some buskers, including this guy whose job it is to blow enormous bubbles (so jealous!) -


- and this headless man, who took a liking to Alejandra.


We had a nice chat to some policemen, too, and met their horses. They kindly consented to be interviewed despite being born and bred in Madrid.


Then it was time to introduce me to the famous delicacy of Plaza Mayor - a squid sandwich! (Which, I must say, was actually delicious.)

We bought them from a lovely little establishment which I get the feeling may have been a pub -



- not only because of the poker machine in the corner.


It was nice and warm in there, and the barman/waiter told me some amusing Spanish jokes. It was full of smoke, though, so we decided to sit outside. While we were eating, a caricature artist approached us and offered to do a sketch of the group!

Here she is, with Carlos looking super awkward alongside.


And here's the caricature! (You may or may not be able to see that she spelled my name 'Grais'. 'Grace' is NOT a common name here. No one can pronounce it!)


So yes, that was my day!

What's happening down under? Update me, y'all!