Hey Autumn,
I know it's strange but I miss you A LOT. There are some people that have the sarcasm but they aren't as quick as you are haha. Today I spent the day in Madrid. Oh my word it is gorgeous there. We went to a few art museums today the Renie Sofia and the El Prada. We saw some of the most famous paintings but do you know what I did? I made fun of how the artist painted the faces. There was one that the guy look like he had one too many beers and was reaching towards a pitch fork, so you know that was a "hold my beer" moment. I had an amazing experience though today. We were walking along side the Botanical Gardens to find a spot to have lunch and we saw this group of people packing up folding chairs and leaving some kind of activity that they had planned. Well as we started taking photographs this older fellow stopped us and asked if we wanted a picture of him. Someone else in the group said yes and he continued to have a conversation. He asked where we were from, if we were professional photographers and such. Now what I end up finding out is that the group that was leaving was his and his friends drawing group. I guess they get together and draw a few people and practice their skills. Well he continued to talk to us and was so very nice and kind. Then he asked Johannes (a person in my group) if he'd like him to draw a portrait of him. He said it'd take about fifteen minutes and we had plenty of time so we stayed and both the man and his friend pulled out their drawing utensils and paper and started drawing. Now the whole time they are drawing Johannes myself and two others are watching and photographing them as they work. Now come to find out Francisco (the guy who initially started speaking with us) and Javier know some english and so the conversation was easier. Javier was very quiet while he drew but he did quick pen strokes and created a beautiful portrait, but get this, and the he had me sit down so he could draw me! I was so excited and thrilled that he would even ask me to do this. I sat down in the chair he set up from and took his instructions as to how he wanted me posed and then froze. It took a little longer then fifteen minutes because I guess he struggles with drawing females but he did amazing. Both Francisco and Javier gave both of us our drawings and asked us to send a photograph of it to them so they could finish it and then send it back to us. After all of the craziness we went and got some nice cerveza in Madrid. This is the reason I want to travel. The people, conversations, interactions, and just the over all beauty of this country. I want to come back and next time I'll bring you. I put two hands on an aqueduct stone and they say if you do that it means that you will return Segovia. I think you'd like it here a lot I really do. Well I have to get some rest because there are so many adventures here. I love you so much and I miss you! Bueno noches!
-Love,
Brianne L. Bigelow