Madrid, less than a month away!

The next major Islamic holiday is on November 12-19th.  Eid al-Adha is the sacrifice of the lamb and it celebrates the end of the Hajj (month of the pilgrimage to Mecca).  Instead of partaking in this bloody festivity, I am going to Spain.  I know, I am in Egypt and should probably enjoy all that this country has to offer, but I need a little break from feeling so foreign (see previous post).  Thus, a few of us are going to Madrid.  We booked flights last night despite price drops and rises and the airline's red-tape mayhem.  I am super excited and cannot wait to go shopping so that I look like I belong in a sophisticated city, not on a safari.  I will be sure to tell you all about it next month, so all you need to know right now is that I am westward bound, but only for a week and not quite westward enough to make it home for Thanksgiving.  Eat an extra slice of turkey and canned cranberry sauce in my honor.