Gracias!

Since the World Youth Day celebration was over, me and my companions had to move out of the gymnasium that we were staying in. The other members of the group had their own itineraries planned so they were on their own way the night before our move, Luckily, the priest that we were with found an hostel for the remaining 10 of us right in the heart of Madrid's shopping capital, Sol! Can you imagine the joy that we felt when we checked-in? Also, the person in-charge of the hostel was a Filipina! So imagine this, we got  the newest and biggest unit, and special coupons were given to us! How cool is that? 

I did mention that we were in the shopping capital of Madrid, right? So, what else is there to expect than our favorite brands on almost every corner! We really are lucky because almost everything was on sale! the prices may be in Euros but what the hell, right? 

I can never forget this store. They sell authentic Spanish fans. We were able to get good, cheap ones but can you believe that special fans can cost up to a thousand euros? Some are even made out of ivory. Crazy, huh?

My favorite store. :)

Say hello to 4-story Zara.

The Royal Palace. :)

Photos of our sidetrip to Rome on the next post!

Las Islas Filipinas

They say that the end of something good marks the beginning of something better. True enough for us, leaving our foster families in Caceres and proceeding to Madrid was another journey in itself. In Caceres, we had the luxury of sleeping on comfortable beds, showers and everything else. But in Alcorcon, Madrid, everything was the opposite. We slept in a gymnasium with other pilgrims on sleeping bags and a common shower room. If you think about it, the scenario would seemingly be uncomfortable. Instead of feeling that way, we were happy that we had sleeping bags, there were clean restrooms, and most of all, we were all together. No experience can ever replace the one we had in Alcorcon.  This part of our journey is the one of the most exciting parts of our stay. This was the time when the formal celebrations of the World Youth Day began. Everywhere you go, you will see pilgrims--on the trains, the streets, and even restaurants! We are  only a few days away from seeing the pope. Check my next posts for that! :)

Riding the train is like riding a jeepney to them. I just hope that their railway system can be adopted here in the Phils.

Welcome to the METROPOLIS! :)

There really is a train station named after the Philippines. :)

HOLLAH! That is the Monument of Dr. Jose Rizal in Madrid! Of course, we wouldn't miss the chance of seeing it for oursleves! 

More photos of our WYD adventure on the next posts! :)

Jeepney

Goodbyes are the hardest things to say even if the time you spent is just brief. When the time came for us to leave for Madrid, it was also the last day we spent with our foster families. Sure, we were just with them for a couple of days. But being with them even for just that amount of time made us love them like real family. After hearing a concelebrated Spanish mass, we had a few hours more to spend with them. My family, my Spanish mom and my sister, brought us to a high place wherein one could see the whole of Caceres. It was a beautiful place, really. After that, we headed home for our last meal with them. This was also the time that me and my companion, ate Cha, gave our gifts of gratitude to them. Yes, their culture might be really close to ours but they don't have jeepneys! HAHA. That is what I gave to them. I was so happy because they liked it and they even told that they want to visit the Philippines in the future. I might not know when I'll get to see them again. But one thing's for sure, I know that I have a family that loves me halfway across the globe, even if they are not really related to me. I feel so luck. :)

My girl crush. (blushing) HAHA

With mama and our sister. Trivia: our Spanish mother's name is Isabel, my name is Isabella. Our Spanish sister's name is Maria, my companion's name is Maria Charizza. We could be one big family after all!

Our cute and talkative abuela. :) She doesn't speak English, by the way.

I mentions in my other post that mama Isabel cooks really good, right? Potato chips (a staple), lomo (very addicting), authentic Spanish paella (SUPER YUM), and homemade strawberry cheesecake (YUM AS WELL).

Our adorable papa.:)

Fate

FATE. For us, pilgrims, it was fate who brought us to Spain and to Portugal. It was fate who brought us to witness the festivity of Our Lady of Fatima. When we arrived, we thought that it was just for a visit, to see the site for our own eyes. Little did we know that that day was the feast of the apparition of Our Lady to the three little children. We could not believe our luck upon hearing that. We got to hear mass on the site itself and even visit the tombs of the little children. It wasn't creepy at all. Instead of feeling that way, we felt blessed and lucky and all that. This is one thing I can now cross out my bucketlist. :)

Instead of giving money, the locals and tourists alike offer rice. 

We spotted this cute little wearing a costume that is exactly like that of Our Lady of Fatima, so adorable!