Sunny Madrid

At the beginning of October, I headed to Madrid for my first ever trip to Spain. It was a weekend packed with sun and fun!

We (my friend Rebecca and I) started the weekend by trying to find a good breakfast to start our adventure. Of course, the first place no longer existed (thanks travel book) and the second place did not open until 2 pm (what?). Thus, we walked around looking for food. We took in the views on our walk. Here is a church in a small square.

We finally did find a place. Rebecca ordered the chorizo and this is what she received! Let's just say...way too much sausage! :o

After eating enough meat to hold us over for the next year, we headed to the Royal Palace (Palacio Real). In front of the palace, we walked through the Plaza de Oriente which is a nice garden.

And it is surrounded by beautiful buildings.

It also has a rather impressive fountain.

Even the light posts were nice!

We then visited the Royal Palace. It is inspired by Bernini's design for the Louvre in Paris and is rather beautiful. It took almost 30 years to build and was completed in 1764. Unfortunately, they would not let us take photos inside, but let's just say, even the Queen would be jealous! :) Almost every room we entered we gasped.



This is a shot of the inside courtyard.

Here is a view over the old hunting grounds.

The best thing about the Palace was the armoury. It had over 2,000 pieces and had over 20 full size horse statues suited up in joust outfits. It was impressive. But of course, you will just have to take my word for it since I have no photos!

After the Palace, we walked around some more and ate gelato. Here is the Catedral de la Almudena. In the evening, we met up with my friend Cameron who just moved to Madrid.

The next day, we visited one of the many art museums in Madrid, the Centro de Arte Reina Sofia.
The crazy thing about the place, they let you take photos of the art! I have never been to a museum that lets you do that. Here is a early drawing by Pablo Picasso.

Here is Picasso's Guernica which depicts his view of war. The canvas is enormous and there are two guards on either side of the painting.

I also saw my first Salvador Dali piece up close. Unlike many of the titles you see in art museums, - the woman in blue, bulls, seated woman, etc. - Dali called his piece...The Great Masturbator...

There was a small courtyard with sculptors. I found it rather funny that all the benches were recently painted and they had this sign. I can only assume people did not understand the sign as there were butt paint marks everywhere!

After the museum, we walked around some more. Here is some great graffiti.


We ended the day in the Latin quarter. It was so nice.

We then walked back to our hotel. Here is a picture of the Palace at night.


It was a great trip and it was over way too fast. I can't wait to go back and visit.

Olaf 10 Years Later!

Just two weeks ago, I headed to Minnesota for my 10 year college reunion. I flew in a couple of days early to visit with friends and eat my way through GMO fast food!

Of course, it would not be a trip to Minnesota without a trip to the Mall of America! Thus, I started off my holiday buying clothes! Estela, Mike and I spent most of the day there and it still amazes me how big it is. The only thing that has changed is Snoppyland (the roller coaster park in the middle of the mall). He must not be popular anymore with the kiddies...as it is now Nickelodeon world.

After spending the day shopping...I had to do more on Thursday!

When I was not shopping, I was hanging out with Estela, Mike and Amy (Mike's wife). Mike and Amy were very generous and put us up for the weekend. We entertained ourselves with Wii games when we were not shopping! Here is Mike and Estela rock'n it out.

The reunion festivities started off on Friday night with a get together in Minneapolis. Here is Estela and Erica showing their glamour look.

Me with Estela.

On Saturday morning we made the journey to Olaf from Minneapolis. Here we are driving over the bridge that collapsed last year (this is the new one). I found out during the reunion that a person in my Olaf class had actually been one of the people who died in the bridge accident. Very sad.

Of course, it would not be a trip to the Midwest without showing Wells Fargo how happy I was to see them. Here I am giving them the bird while I drive by their building!

As we drove into Northfield, you could see the BIGGEST thing I wanted to see the whole trip.....my turbine!!!

I made Mike and Estela walk out into the field so I could take a self portrait. I am so proud of my Danish wind turbine. I was happy.

There is a cute video (set to Olaf music) on the turbine being built. For your viewing enjoyment, click here!

Here I am standing below the turbine. Unfortunately, you can't get to the bottom of the turbine since they have put up a fence to stop people like me!

After getting enough of my Vestas (buy your stocks!), we headed to the hill to visit campus. I was disappointed to find that fall was not in full swing, but the weather was great!

We started off with a visit to the old student center. It has been completely refurbished and is now the art center. It is amazing to see how the old building has been updated to look new.

Inside there are a number of different art galleries.

Here is Estela standing near art that was in the old science center in 'our' day.

Here is the wall were the old information window use to be. I spent my last year and half in the window for my work study job.

We then headed to the new student center. It was being built when I was there. I dealt with two years of construction, but never stepped foot in it!

Impressive! Almost overwhelming.

We then headed over to Bow Chapel. It, too, has received an overhaul. It was strange to see a blue ceiling with orange rafters.

Around campus, there were new trees that were planted, along with new rock features. It was very nice.

There were also some new structures.

We were rather jealous of the additions. They even had adirondack chairs every where!!!

As we walked around, however, there were still many things that looked the same. Here is Holland, where I spent most of my classroom life 10 years ago.

But across from Holland, is now the newest thing on campus.....Regents Hall, the new natural sciences and mathematics building. It is massive.

As we walked around the building, it was quite amazing to see the technology and facilities that students have access to. The study areas were beautiful with trendy furniture. Can you image sitting in the trees studying...so nice.

The different spaces were constructed to provide the best views and use of light.

To our surprise, there were also greenhouses on the roof! Here is the cactus pod.

Then to top it all off, there is an outside roof terrace for students. Hello!!!! We were so gipped!!!!!

A reflection of Old Main in the windows.

As we left the building, I spotted that Carleton has put up a turbine as well. I believe there is some competition going on!

We finally did our last round of buildings on campus. Here is Old Main, the oldest building where I had spanish class.

And we visited with some of the wildlife on campus.

We then headed down the hill to hit the Ole football game. Surprisingly, it was the first football game I had ever been to! :)

After the game, we headed back up the hill for our class picture and reunion get together. Here we are getting ready for our snapshot. I'm number 33.

My class...or those who decided to attend out of my class.

Here are a few of us after the photo. Andy, Estela, Erica, Mike, Ed, and me.

Here we are talking to classmates.

Estela and I taking a photo of ourselves.

We decided to make one last trip of the day over to Thorson Hall, where most of us met our junior year. I lived in the building for one and half years.

Funny enough, it ALL looks the same. They have not even changed the furniture!

We ended the long day in Northfield and had dinner at our old hoggie place. Of course, everyone else on campus did as well, and it was packed.

The next day, I headed back to London. It was a wonderful trip and we all agreed that we would be back for our 20 year reunion.