Real Madrid & Mallorca
Not long after we returned from our Alps adventure, we were in a new environment experiencing more new things- this time more close to home, aka Madrid.
I attended my first soccer, or should i say futbol, game! Real Madrid took on Ajax, the Amsterdam team. My group included three Ajax fans from Holland on one side, and Leah and myself the American-guess-we'll-cheer-for-the-home-team fans. As we are both very competitive, we decided to buy flags and scarves supporting our new team. Before the game, our noses were drawn to the smell of BBQ accompanied by liters of cerveza. Although Spanish style, it was good to see sporting events utilize the same methods of tailgating internationally. Differences, however, are seen during the game. Although there are still belligerent men swinging their shirts above their heads, whistling is the Spanish equivalent of Booing. Also, no one stands or does anything special for the opera-sounding national anthem. Needless to say, our team pulled out the W with ease: 3-0. Fans here take their futbol very seriously. Security guards were seen every five feet, and the Ajax fans were instructed to stay put until all the Real fans had left in order to avoid any violence. Luckily, our Dutch friends feared us and did not strike, though they sneakily photobombed our Real pride picture..
A few days later, I woke up and found myself on the beach in the island of Mallorca off the southeast coast of Spain near Ibiza. I looked around and saw Leah, the Dutch girls, and some of our other international friends. Warm sun, good company, and clear water- what more is there?
Also spelled Majorca, the island's tourism industry is its largest source of income, and has been growing since the 1950's. Mountains, on the northwest and eastern coasts frame the inner beaches. Mallorca's pride is a pastry called ensaimadas. Now popular throughout Spain and the Philippines, this snack tastes something like a crouissant with powdered sugar on top. There are also variations with different fillings and cremes. I would advise against believing the hype. Perhaps if fresh and warm, the powdery delight would be just that, but the two I had were subpar.
All in all, however, the island proved to be a relaxing beach spot, which I enjoyed immensely. During the summer months, Mallorca is supposedly a crazy party island, but as we arrived after the popular seasons, we missed that train. Instead, we caught the remains of the mixture of Spanish, German, and Dutch cultures throughout the island. Every menu had at least 7 translations in it, and we were mistaken for every nationality, except American, which was a nice change of pace. If you're looking for a cheap getaway for a nap on the beach, I would highly recommend visiting this multi-cultured oasis.
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