The Metro

 

I rode the metro for the first time today. To sum it up quickly: it was nerve-racking. I am a bit directionally challenged (I'm sugar coating it here), so I was imagining that I would end up on the other side of Spain and not know how to get back. I studied the metro map for about an hour and spent 15 minutes talking to another tutor getting details (and encouragement) before finally hopping on the metro. I've been told numerous times that the metro is very easy to figure out, but I couldn't help my nerves. After taking five minutes to purchase a ticket from a kiosk*, I jumped on the first train that arrived and reviewed my plan of action: take the metro from Paco de Lucía and exit at Príncipe de Vergara, and from there head to Retiro. According to the route I looked at, I would go through 13 stops before arriving at my final destination. As the train came to a stop at the very next station it looked like I was already lost! I didn't recognize any names posted on the walls, but I stayed seated in hopes that I would get a better idea of which direction I was going by the next stop. And sure enough, I did! Although it took me a while to find my way around the station at Príncipe de Vergara, I eventually found the correct platform and headed towards Retiro. 

Although this blog entry may not seem like the most interesting, it signifies a major accomplishment for me. Navigating throughout Spain was one of my biggest concerns about making this trip (note the sentence above about being directionally challenged). That fear has been conquered now! Well... sort of. I still need to master the bus routes. I'm sure I will end up getting lost at some point, but I have confidence I can find my way home now! 

In case y'all were wondering where I took the metro today, I visited Parque del Retiro! 

Pictures to come soon :) 

*For those of you wondering why it took me five minutes to purchase my ticket at the kiosk, it's because I was trying to put cash where your credit card is supposed to go haha!