Boooo!!!

Mom went home today!!!

Here's us at the airport before she goes through the daunting security line. Fortunately this terminal is pretty small, so she only had a few people in front of her in line. I know she made it to Germany alright and probably in the next few hours she will be home.

It was kinda odd going home to the guest room to see it was empty! No more empty and half empty water glasses, unpacked suitcases or random shopping bags. Boo.

Christmas Lights in the City

Xmas lights above Calle Alcalá, heading towards Puerta Alcala

Momma, meet Paella. Paella, meet hungry Momma!

Mom's first paella valenciana!!!! It is great to have mom here for graduation and the holidays - her first time to see my life here in Madrid.

Of course, she loved the food and it seems like she thinks there are way too many statues for just one city!!! Oh yeah, and she hates that the bathroom light switch is always outside the bathroom (in the hallway or before you enter the bathroom door)...

DONE DONE DONE

Look at the new MBA snob.

Yes...you can hate me. I don't care.

As long as I'm done with business cases, I'm happy!

Momma Arrives!!!

She doesn't even look jetlagged!!! Impressive!

A GOOD Market

Comercial Villergas is a small market by Manuel's work that has really really good fruit, veggies, cold cuts (high-quality sausages, spanish ham, etc), and cheese. We were so surprised by the quality of the fruit and veggies that we have started to purchase more and more from them. They even do house delivery for free!!!

Happy Constitution Day

You can't please everyone. Here's a picture of an organized and peaceful protest in Puerta del Sol. The signs are anti-Franco and anti-Constitution - I still don't get it all. Basically it's people who are not in favor of Spain being one Spain, if I'm even right about that. It's too confusing and too sensitive of a topic to ask Spaniards because their civil war was in the 1930's.

Look at the sign; it says "you won't shut us up, neither fascists nor the king!" And inside the "NO" you can see the king's crown. The best part was the political hip hop on the stage with the big Republican flag (before the civil war, that is)

Long Weekend

This is a 3-day weekend, thanks to the Spanish Constitution. Even this clinic is on vacation!!!! The sign says to call the main hospital in case of emergency over the weekend. Gotta love Spain's respect for relaxing on your day off!

By the way, all the updates or changes on this sign are made with gauze strips!

Telefónica HQ

I had the pleasure to go to Telefónica's headquarters here in Madrid. I knew the offices were big, but WOW. I am so amazed!!!

The entire campus (at least 6 buildings) is about 3.5 years old, with modern architecture. It's practically a city in itself and has very similar social benefits like you can find in Silicon Valley corporations - on campus dry cleaning, pharmacy, doctors, etc. The campus is in the outskirts of Madrid, so they want to create aconvenient atmosphere for the employees.

Anyway, I am so amazed, not only about the buildings but also the people that I met. Incredible!