Danielle, how do you feel about a rat nibbling at your toes?

I think it's safe to say this trip has been absolutely amazing but we're both definitely exhausted! We arrived in Madrid on Friday evening around 11 after our last train ride to check into our last hostel :-) we chose to head straight to bed after touring the uniquely designed building we would be staying in the next 3 nights. We were up bright and early to begin touring the city but took our time knowing we had 2 1/2 good days ahead. It was one of those 14 hour days of walking, observing, "ooing" and "awwing". Madrid is really beautiful with many busy shopping streets, old buildings, and a huge park which we enjoyed a nap in. Much like a lot of the cities we've seen but with its own character of course. After many hours spent in town we headed back for a quick change and left to find some late night food. Like we've experienced, it wasn't so easy and ended up on a wild goose chase for much of the night...you'd think we learned our lesson?the street performers around here have been crazy and last night they were especially enjoyed by the ever so tipsy vawter. The night ended after entertainment by the real street performers and of course the one who wishes to be one in the next life time, are we surprised? Getting back to our hostel later that night only came with great surprises. As I sat in the lobby for a few moments using the Internet, Kim went up to the room ready to hit the bed. Moments later I was graced with her presents as she came flying down the stairs to tell she was convinced we had a furry visitor? My immediate response being, what I thought to be obvious, "are you drunk?!?!". After much argument and a big sigh of doubt, I picked myself up off my comfy seat and followed the small child to our room. Within moments I started question myself, although quite certain, as I stood watching the ceiling move as the paint chipped away, was I drunk too?! After convincing Kimberly it was a good idea to let the desk man know about this strange visitor, I sat on the floor pointing a flash light on the small hole refusing to move until this mystery was solved. Come to find out it was simply pipes in the wall being tossed around by the wind outside, which honestly I think was a load of bs, but we were off to sleep in no time.
This morning came quickly and we were off to roam some more. Today it was hotter, walking much slower was key and we spent most of our day aimlesly walking with no set plan. As you can tell we are at the end of our ropes but are excited to see what Ireland has to offer. We leave tomorrow afternoon with a death sentence flying ryanair over the ocean in a cardboard box but have no worries ;-) Barb and Doug (kims parents) have so kindly booked us two nights in a really nice hotel for the remaining of our trip before jetting back to the U.S. We couldn't be more excited to take real showers and sleep in real beds without having to worry about room mates, loud noises and cheap breakfast! Don't let two days fool you, you never know what kind of trouble we can stir up with moments left across the pond ;-)