Hide yo kids, hide yo wife, Kim Smith is coming to Madrid

This post is dedicated to my parents who will be landing in Madrid in just a few short days!

Me with a peacock in Parque del Retiro (this picture has nothing to do with the rest of the post but I thought it was cool)

Mom and Dad, here are some warnings and tips and tricks that I have picked up during my short time here:

1. Get ready to walk! Stretch out those calves and bring your A-game, we've got ground to cover.
2.  Don't ask for the baños! Instead say, ¿Dónde están los aseos? If you ask for the baños people will look at you like you are nuts.
3. At some point over the next week you will be silently approached by someone who will shove various light up toys in your face and expect you to buy them.. This will likely happen when you are eating. Just say no.
4. Practice saying "gracias" like "gra-thee-as," the Spanish will very much appreciate an attempt to emulate their accent. 
5. Bring your SPF (I doubt this will be a problem knowing how seriously my family takes sunscreen) but Madrid is the sunniest city in Europe!
6. It is Carnaval in Madrid this weekend, Carnaval is the equivalent to America's Mardi Gras. I have no idea what this will entail but I can imagine lots of shenanigans and some interesting sights. 

I can't wait to show my parents around Madrid! On top of seeing Madrid, we will be taking a day trip to Toledo and a weekend trip to Barcelona, both cities I have been dying to see. And there has been talk of a segway tour...this could get interesting. I will definitely have much to update after this week, from Carnaval, to travels, to sight seeing in Madrid, to watching my parents try to communicate in Spanish.

Spotted: K and P packing their bags and ditching town. Looks like things are about to get picante and these two Minnesota tourists are about to get trapped in the language barrier. You know you love me, XOXO.
(I've been in Gossip Girl withdrawal since leaving America so I had to add a reference.)

Here is the link to the youtube video that inspired the title of this post for those who are living under a rock.

This is a big week for everyone in my family! To my parents, can't wait to see you soon! Hope your flight is smooth (and there are no more snow storms in Minnesota to delay you). Little bro Grady, have so much fun in Ireland this week! I can't wait to hear all about it, you will love it. Older sis Maddie, happy birthday and good luck turning 21...that one's pretty self explanatory.

 

¡Hasta la próxima!

 

En mi clase de español, mi profesora ha mencionado el chotis, un baile distinto de Madrid. El chotis es un baile tradicional de Madrid y es bailado en las fiestas. Tiene origen en Bohemia y se bailó la primera vez en un festival en el Palacio Real en el año 1850. A mí me interesan mucho los bailes distintos de culturas porque todas tienen una manera completamente diferente para expresar emoción por la música y muchas veces los bailes vienen de la historia de un país. He encontrado muchos videos del chotis en Youtube, videos con mujeres jóvenes, grandes marionetas falsas y niños. Aquí es un video adorable de niños bailando el chotis. (Lo siento el video esta de lado)