Madrid for first time

3:58pm

Hola!

Warning: This is a longer post than usual. Please read whatever you would like – this will hopefully make it easier if you do not have a lot of time.

It is split up into 3 sections:
1. First time in Madrid
2. Today – Corte de Ingles
3. How is Spain different?


1. MADRID

We went to Madrid for the first time yesterday in order to learn how to use the train (RENFRE) and the metro. The RENFRE takes you to Madrid and the metro gets you around the city (similar to the Marta in Atlanta). We have to be very careful about pick pocketers on the subway because everyone is very close and the metro is notorious for people taking your money without you knowing. There were many of us on the train together and we had our whole arm wrapped around our purses. We were cautious (Ten cuidado) but also looked very much like tourists.

The metro is underground. When I walked up into the Puerto de Sol (center of Madrid) I felt like I came to a whole new world bustling with people laughing, kissing, taking pictures, eating ice cream, and tons of street performers. It reminded me very much like New York City but more crowded. The Puerto de Sol is a big circle with many streets going off of it. Think of the sun that you drew in art class when you were younger. The big circle is for the center and then lines going in all directions as rays. The lines were the different major avenues and streets in the city with the Puerta de Sol as the circle.

When in Madrid, we went to a tapas restaurant and had churros. This was my first time to have churros. They taste like a benguits (donuts in NOLA, spelling?) but they are very long and resemble very thick straws. They brought us out a coffee cup filled with rich, hot chocolate that we dipped the churros in - my brothers would love these!

We also visited the Plaza Mayor. It is a huge square surrounded by apartments, restaurants and shops. You feel that you are in a huge room without a roof. Antonio Banderas supposedly has an apartment here. They are extremely expensive.


2. TODAY – CORTE DE INGLES

There is a large store called Cortes de Ingles in many parts of Spain. It is like having a Macy’s and Super Target connected. It is a very popular part of town with many shops and restaurants.

Today is a holiday due to the Catholic Corpus Cristi holiday. My Spanish sisters did not go to school and our madre did not have to work today. We did have school but the cafeteria was not open. I did not get my coffee (con leche) – bummer. However, we we arrived at home we had a huge lunch - very large pan of Paella.

Our family feeds us like we are 200 lbs. I hope they don’t think that in America everyone eats this much. They always offer us seconds. It is like the movie “My Big Fat Greek Wedding.” I thought my family was bad at “offering” people more food. They are nothing compared to my Spanish parents.

For example, they make us sandwiches (bocadillos) when we go on a “field trip.” Tomorrow we are going to Madrid and they made us lunch. I just wanted a PB&J because I have not have a simple meal yet. I told the padre, who always makes the food, that I would make it. When I was done, the madre said, oh you need more. I told them that one PB&J is good for me. No - she made me make 3 sandwiches. Plus she gave me fruit and a dessert. Needless to say, I should not be hungry in Madrid tomorrow and may even be feeding the homeless with leftovers.

This morning our padre made us crepes for breakfast (el desayuno). I think of them as very sweet pancakes. Of course we also had chocolate syrup to go on top of them. Additionally, we had our annual serving of homemade orange juice.


3. HOW SPAIN IS DIFFERENT

They make coffee on the stove here. There is always coffee available on the counter. It seems they make it only every few days. If I want some, I get it from a silver canister, heat it up, then add milk. Today we ran out, and I had it fresh off the stove. It was extremely good today. Coffee here does not need a lot of sugar, and will wake you up like a cold shower.

In Spain, people show affection in public much more than they do in the US. People kissing, holding each other’s bodies (not hands), and staring into the others eyes in the middle of the grocery store or street is completely normal.

The style of clothing in Spain is much different than the US in some ways. Think of pants that sag extremely low and have huge pockets. Now shrink the pants so they actually fit in the legs and still sag, but the pockets remain very low. Now imagine me wearing something like this – I don’t think I could pull if off…

Magazines come with prizes – mine today came with a free bathing suit. Yes, I wrote it correctly. The magazine cost 3.95 euros including the freebie. There is only one size and I don’t think it will fit me. It is a bandeau top with a string bottom in a dark colored paisley print. Very cute! If it does not fit me, I am going to give it to my Spanish sisters who are extremely small. (I don’t know how they are small because we eat all the time)

When we ate tapas at a place today, we left a small tip. The waiter told us that he could not take it. We saved a bit of money but this is very different than what I am used to.

Tax must be included in the price of items or non-existent because when I pay for something, it is the same price as it is on the tag. This is wonderful and always makes my day.

Laundry always hangs on balconies to dry

My phone here is in Spanish to help me practice. I am learning words like save, call, and edit very well J.

Talk to you soon!

P.S. I have noticed I am talking a lot about food. I also have many wonderful friends here and we enjoy time together! The blog is focusing on many things that are different for me, and culture and food are the most noticeable. Enjoy!