Hi everyone,

Sorry I haven't written for a while but I've not had internet in the flat and its been a little difficult, so now I do have internet I will be able to keep you all up to date!

Apart from the usual everyday things like school and going out for a coffee/ shopping/ little drink or something, I have been on some really great days out with my friends from Cambridge and also my new Spanish friends Gonzalo and Laura. Firstly we went to Cotos, which is a little town right up in the Guadarrama mountains in the North of Madrid. When you've finished reading you can see the photos by clicking on this link (much easier than uploading them on here) http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2274020&l=c20a0&id=36919385

We went because it had been snowing and we wanted to see the snow on a really nice sunny day and it was beautiful. It was actually quite warm (you will see when you look at the photos). Anyway, its only about 2 hours away on train and its so nice to be able to escape from the city so easily (and for only 6 euros return!) and we stayed out all day, and had a traditional lunch in this really nice restaurant. You can hire snowboards and sledges too and when its really snowy (like it is today actually) you can go and sledge down any of the slopes in the area. The mountains today look so nice from the city as they are covered with snow.

Now...the second day trip I went on was to Toledo, which is a town to the south of Madrid and actually used to be the capital (little bit of historical knowledge). It is such a beautiful town with lots of little narrow streets and really nice cake and marzapan shops and cafes. My friend Laura knew someone who was an architect in the area and had the keys to all of the walls and gates that used to guard the city so we went on a walking tour and climbed up all the gate houses and things which was really good fun and really interesting too. There are photos on the same link as before too if you want to have a look. So as you can see there are so many nice places to go and visit here in Madrid.

Now, last weekend I was away in Segovia in the north west of Madrid with choir and we stayed in a hostel in San Isidrio or somewhere, it was really nice and we stayed in little dormitories that where round with bunk beds and called Cabañas. It was also good because I had to speak spanish all weekend. I was sharing with some of the young girls from choir and they taught me lots of new vocabulary...not all of which i will be able to use everyday in school, but it was very educational all the same! They also showed me the joys of "Reggeton" music, for any of you that are intrigued...you tube it!

One of tha families that I give private lessons to was also there as I sing with the dad cesar (think Ive already told you that) anyway that was nice as their daughter was always wanting to sit by Jessie for dinner and lunch and breakfast and everything!!! I also had to help the choir with their English pronunciation as we are singing Handel's coronation anthem in English so that was really funny...having to say it all really slowly and then sing it to them all. I did struggle with the name games though as they were all Maria this and Juan that so they found it hillarious when I got them all mixed up!

Anyway, at the moment we are looking for a new flatmate as we have a free room in the house, but its proving to be quite difficult. Oh well, I'm not too bothered so will just wait and see what happens. Also we are having lots of fun in school with the english teachers, some of which have turned out to be a right laugh and we enjoy our weekly departmental meetings!! Off to eStarbaks now (Starbucks if you didnt guess) for a coffee with some friends...and to warm up as it is so cold here.

Lots of love always and speak to you soon (I have skype now too...jessicawalters22)

Jess xxxxxxxxxx

ps more photos here:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2273960&l=e08c4&id=36919385