Got up really early, and almost missed the flight to Madrid because the public transit isn't perfect. Stansted airport is totally not in London, btw. If you're ever there, plan extra time.
Got to Madrid, took the metro to the Ópera station. Same situation here. I can't help but look around and notice how incredibly European it all is! I don't know why I'm surprised. The plazas here are really beautiful. I found the hostel, and walked around most of the city to get my bearings. My calves are killing me!
In the afternoon, everyone takes a stroll here. The most important streets here are pedestrian only, and are very well used. Calle Arenal, where the hostel is, was packed with people chatting and taking a paséo (walk). When people get hungry, they pop into a bar, grab a beer, and get a small plate of hamón or something. People seem to snack all day instead of having dedicated meals. Then, later, people go out to the bars, drink and have tapas. I love this culture! People are always socializing. It's a ritual to hang out with your friends and have tapas every day. The people here seem very content.
Got to Madrid, took the metro to the Ópera station. Same situation here. I can't help but look around and notice how incredibly European it all is! I don't know why I'm surprised. The plazas here are really beautiful. I found the hostel, and walked around most of the city to get my bearings. My calves are killing me!
In the afternoon, everyone takes a stroll here. The most important streets here are pedestrian only, and are very well used. Calle Arenal, where the hostel is, was packed with people chatting and taking a paséo (walk). When people get hungry, they pop into a bar, grab a beer, and get a small plate of hamón or something. People seem to snack all day instead of having dedicated meals. Then, later, people go out to the bars, drink and have tapas. I love this culture! People are always socializing. It's a ritual to hang out with your friends and have tapas every day. The people here seem very content.
The next day, I went to the Prado museum with a friend from the hostel. The highlight, for me, was the ¨garden of earthly delights.¨ It has some very dream-like imagery and an almost abstract style for a painting of its era.
I took a long nap after that, then met up with some people at yet another hostel to go out. The party here doesn't start until 2 or 3 am, and goes until 6 or 7! There was a huge crew of us from the hostel, maybe 30 people, all walking down the street in a pack. I was able to practice spanish quite a bit today. I still can't understand enough to join a conversation and not be a drag, but I'm getting better.
K, it's the next morning, and I'm hungry! This hostel aparently doesn't provide breakfast.
I took a long nap after that, then met up with some people at yet another hostel to go out. The party here doesn't start until 2 or 3 am, and goes until 6 or 7! There was a huge crew of us from the hostel, maybe 30 people, all walking down the street in a pack. I was able to practice spanish quite a bit today. I still can't understand enough to join a conversation and not be a drag, but I'm getting better.
K, it's the next morning, and I'm hungry! This hostel aparently doesn't provide breakfast.
No comments:
Post a Comment