Cheese, Wine and Chocolate. Oh..and Windmills.

Interesting happenings during my time in blog limbo:

1. There's another huelga! Air traffic controllers in 8 major Spanish airports went on strike, UNANNOUNCED, on Friday and didn't resume work until Sunday, inconveniencing millions of travelers. The strike is in response to the government's recent decision to privatize airports in order to cut spending and increase revenue. The sickout strike began on Friday afternoon, with many controllers calling in sick. It continued into Saturday--the rest of the controllers walked out and closed the airspace! With the exception of various incoming international flights, no one could fly into or out of Spain for 2 whole days. It's especially bad timing for this strike because of the puente this weekend. Monday and Wednesday are national holidays, so everyone just takes Tuesday off too for a long holiday weekend (also I'm sure many a Spaniard is taking Thursday and Friday off as well and just having a nice week-long vacation.). One person I know had a trip to Italy planned but his flights out of Madrid were canceled. Another was going skiing in France, but I'm not sure what happened with his plans. Also, the government declared a state of emergency when the strike started, which now gives them the right to fire anyone who refuses to work. With threats of more strikes during the holiday season, that risk of being fired should dissuade any more potential huelgas. Luckily I didn't have any travel plans for this weekend! Pretty much everyone stayed in Toledo this weekend because exams are this week (YES. ON THE PUENTE. IT'S NOT FAIR.) and most people are traveling afterwards. Hopefully by this Thursday everything is running smoothly again! On the news during dinner tonight I heard that the air controllers were back at work today under military supervision but there is a HUGE backlog of passengers. Everyone is angry and frustrated including "many of Spain's famed fútbol players (who) were forced to use trains and buses so they could make it to weekend games." ...pobrecitos.

2. Day trip to Consuegra! Instead of studying for finals, Caitlin, Courtney and I took a bus to visit the windmills of Don Quijote. The town of Consuegra is kind of lame but I suppose that's because it's mostly residential and the only real tourist attraction is the hill with the windmills. They were so cool though! Very picturesque.

Enemigos de Don Quijote.

3. I finally learned how to make tortilla Española. Mama Pili showed me a few weeks ago and tonight I made one all by myself. It was buenísima! So excited to make it back home.

4. The Christmas lights are FINALLY on in Toledo!!!!!!!!!! And they are BEAUTIFUL. Definitely worth the wait. The whole town is glowing! In the plaza where I work they are currently in the process of setting up a giiiiiant Belén, or nativity scene. I really hope it's finished before I leave. Pictures to come soon, hopefully.

5. Pictures from Barcelona, in case you're not lucky enough to be my Facebook friend and see them on there.


TIHLALIS #28-29:

28. Vending machine/microwave sandwiches are surprisingly delicious.

29. Being a girl = getting lots of free things. All day everyday. But especially on the weekends.