Lazy Day

So today I am having one of those days where I really do not feel like doing anything. Almost didn't feel like bothering with a shower even but somehow it feels nicer to chill in my room all clean so I went for it anyways. I'm constantly being told that I only have a limited time in Madrid and I need to be getting out there and doing stuff everyday. Well, I understand the argument but at the same time I think it is about time I take a mental health day. Feeling drained from one hurdle after another and I'm tired. Another super hot day outside (not that I've walked out in it) and I just do not feel up to it. I'm pretty content to just stay in my room. Relax. Rejuvenate. De-stress. Yup, I only have like 10 more months here. But that does not mean that I need to completely drain myself both physically and emotionally. I would be inside probably if I were back in the states. Just not willing to feel guilty about having a whole day of just gathering my thoughts and trying to feel better (forgot to mention that I've been feeling sick the past couple of days). So here is to relaxing and knowing that tomorrow I will get back out there and walk around, sweat and explore. This isn't isolation it's introspection :)
But for something slightly more entertaining than my self affirmation of why I am not leaving my room today I did go out a bit last night. Mateo and I met up to do a tour about Madrid and Flamenco. We were the only two people in our group. At least it wasn't just me and a tour guide. We met up early so that we would be sure to get tickets - not that it ended up mattering. So we decided to search around a bit and buy some water before the tour started since the weekend heat was already kicking in and we knew we would be walking around quite a bit. Ended up having to pay 2.50 for cold water. Yikes! Can you say rip-off?! I dealt with it because I was thirsty, I don't get cold water at my hostal because of the no fridge thing, and I had gotten my under 25 discount again for the tour with a savings of .72. This would have been even better if we had not found a "Museo del Jamon" that was selling the same 1.5L bottles of cold water for 1 euro five minutes later. Oh well. At least we each got a little sandwich for a euro each which is a great price. Come to think of it I never finished mine - wonder if it is still any good? Then off to our tour. It was nice because since we were such tiny group we could ask any questions that came to us whether they dealt with flamenco or not. Found out all about the Christmas market that will start up in December and some other end of year traditions that I will most certainly want to take part in. Most of the establishments we stopped at even let us peep in and see the architecture since there were only three of us. Outside of the most popular one we even saw the dancers taking a quick smoke break before their show started. I definitely want to see one of the flamenco shows at some point. The best one will cost 45 euros (eek) but this does include a meal. Undecided as to whether I want to pay less and see another flamenco show or spend the extra amount and see what is considered the best.
Once the tour ended Mateo and I found and opened ice cream place and fulfilled our need for ice cream. I got mine in a cute little plastic bowl since they don't have cake cones and that is the only kind of cone I eat. I still have the bowl. Sure I looked special carrying it back to my hostal last night, but I wanted to keep it. My flavor was banana split and it actually did tasted like bananas covered in chocolate. My only complaint is that the one scoop was not nearly big enough :) . Also read an email while sitting and eating the ice cream in la plaza mayor from one of the other students in my program who is now here. So hopefully the two of us will be meeting up this weekend. That would make tomorrow quite nice. Granted, I could always get a message from her today to go out and I probably would still say yes. That is all I can think of that is worth noting. The rest of this day is going to be spent napping, reading, catching up on shows and being thankful that I have time to just sit and collect myself.