While I am far from reaching expert status as far as the city of Madrid is concerned (just ask el Sabio), I had for some reason, envisioned the end of this tease of a scavenger hunt coming to an end soon. I've been here for four weeks now (which is still near impossible to believe), and figured perhaps Europe had thrown its worst at me by now.
I've conquered the Metro, learned how to open at least half of the doors, accustomed myself to bread with every meal, signed up for classes, found an apartment, gotten a job, discovered the one and lonely ballet school in Madrid, learned 78.9% of the characters on the Spanish keyboard and managed to not get mugged (yet).
But I must have been inhaling one too many pot fumes from the Metro because I completely forget that this is indeed Spain. SPAIN. Definition: country of assorted nonsense.
Obstacle course take 1!
So Thursday Courtney and I decided to make the adventerous hike through Chueca. Our program had given us small maps of many of the ¨zones¨ (if you will) of Madrid with nice restaurants, museums, landmarks, etc. marked. My (our) goal was to go through each map before mid semester, and lucky Chueca was picked out of the hat for Thursday.
Only Spain would give us a map with 3 destinations (the 3 we had starred to explore, mind you) that no longer exist. We did however find the Owl themed bar and gay discoteca we encountered one of our first nights here (get excited). Courtney was almost as excited to discover a store with movies and books (it's more rare here than you would think). Upon walking around in said store, we realized that it was perhaps not quite the genre we were going for, and walked out to actually look at the sign. As it appears, we accidently attempted to find movies and books in a gay sex shop. Common mistake.
This week brought a few more firsts... I will attempt to elaborate where necessary.
Tried authentic Italian gelato. (Increíble).
Talked to el Sabio (not actually a first, but it must be mentioned as it was OBVIOUSLY the highlight of my week, ladies...).
Saw Avatar. One hundred times better than my expectations led me to believe.
Got stuck in the Metro approximately 1 minute after the subway left my first stop... Envision you're in Madrid, in a train... Humidity is at 80%, train capacity is at 200%, you're sick, on your way to class, and the train stops. Lights go off.
For 25 minutes.
Tried Spanish medication. (Quite possibly the grandest adventure of the semester). I was given dissolving pills, some weird white powder gel that turns orange when mixed with water and a nasal spray.
Side effects: giggles, light staring contests and passing out.
Got lost for an extended period of time.
**I believe this requires an explanation so you can fully understand how difficult it can be to maneuver yourself around the city (especcially when you are already as directionally challenged as myself). So, I had to teach English for the first time on Monday. Canterbury English gave me a map that at first glance, appeared fairly self explanatory. Upon actually leaving the Metro stop I was directed to get off at, I realized that very few street names were actually labeled on said map. Fortunately I had the address for the house I needed to go to and after asking, at the very least, without exaggeration, 17 people, where this street could possibly be, was given some of the following instructions which I will attempt to translate here:
Take a right, then walk approximately 10 to 20 minutes depending on speed before asking someone else.
I have no idea.
Take el Calle del Prado.
El Calle del Prado does not exist.
Take a right.
Take your second right.
You've gone way too far.
Follow me.
No clue, sorry.
Ummm... well let me take a look at the map... *Pause* Okay, I think it's this way. (I am convinced it's other way). *Yelling, at this point* NO, this way! (By the way, I was right).
Oh, you have to go past this bridge and around this park.
Go under the highway.
Upon finally finding the correct street approximately 45 minutes later, I anxiously begin looking for piso number 8. Unfortunately, the street numbers ended at 12.
After asking another 6 strangers (instructions varied about as much as the previous set)
Apparently (obviously), you go through an intersection, go around a corner, and the street running parallel (for half of its duration) has the same name. Number 8 can be found in said part. Relief was not to come (yet) as once I finally entered the correct complex, I had to go through 6 doors to find the right building and right door. Upon finding the right door, I was instructed to leave (I foolishly assumed it because I was at the wrong house, but as it turns out, the woman wanted to show me where the magic lights were... well maybe next time, don't say ¨No, over there!¨... Just a thought).
Found my very first Chino... If you believe this sounds slightly derogatory, you are indeed slightly correct. Chinos, as I've discovered, are these random stores found supposedly everywhere (although, it's taken me legitamately 1 month to find one... they're definitely pulling a Hogwarts on muggle me). They are generally run by Chinese people, and have anything from nailpolish to food to bagged clothes to dolls... You name it, it is probably there.
Definite highlight of the week?
I was asked by, get ready for this, 2 older women if I was from Madrid... AND got into an arguement with a man because he was asking me details about a store I had never heard of and would not believe me that I was not Spanish (because apparently, if you're Spanish, you should know Madrid like the back of your hand?).
Favorite thing about Madrid thus far?
Everyone sings, all the time... in the metro, in the streets, in their homes. For once, a city that supports life as a musical as much as I do.
For some reason (typical of my luck), my internet has decided to no longer allow me to add pictures. Perhaps this may be difficult in discerning the following fashion favorites, but perhaps, on the other hand, the more left to your imagination, the better.
The male in Madrid is often sported with *please envision* a mullet esc top and rat tail dreds. I have attempted to photograph this new movement, but unfortunately, the Spanish are for some reason stranger camera shy.
Tights under shorts.
High top sneakers for ladies and gentleman alike.
Crotched shirts.
Scrunchies.
Themed belts.
The sch-ress (is it a shirt or is it a dress?)
Their choices in art also interesting (please refer to picture on right... This is, believe it or not hanging up in my current room...).
Needless to say, I'm definitely fitting in.
Well, I hate to disappoint, but it's past my bed time. My mysterious Spanish drugs are kicking in.
Next stop: ROMA!
I've conquered the Metro, learned how to open at least half of the doors, accustomed myself to bread with every meal, signed up for classes, found an apartment, gotten a job, discovered the one and lonely ballet school in Madrid, learned 78.9% of the characters on the Spanish keyboard and managed to not get mugged (yet).
But I must have been inhaling one too many pot fumes from the Metro because I completely forget that this is indeed Spain. SPAIN. Definition: country of assorted nonsense.
Obstacle course take 1!
So Thursday Courtney and I decided to make the adventerous hike through Chueca. Our program had given us small maps of many of the ¨zones¨ (if you will) of Madrid with nice restaurants, museums, landmarks, etc. marked. My (our) goal was to go through each map before mid semester, and lucky Chueca was picked out of the hat for Thursday.
Only Spain would give us a map with 3 destinations (the 3 we had starred to explore, mind you) that no longer exist. We did however find the Owl themed bar and gay discoteca we encountered one of our first nights here (get excited). Courtney was almost as excited to discover a store with movies and books (it's more rare here than you would think). Upon walking around in said store, we realized that it was perhaps not quite the genre we were going for, and walked out to actually look at the sign. As it appears, we accidently attempted to find movies and books in a gay sex shop. Common mistake.
This week brought a few more firsts... I will attempt to elaborate where necessary.
Tried authentic Italian gelato. (Increíble).
Talked to el Sabio (not actually a first, but it must be mentioned as it was OBVIOUSLY the highlight of my week, ladies...).
Saw Avatar. One hundred times better than my expectations led me to believe.
Got stuck in the Metro approximately 1 minute after the subway left my first stop... Envision you're in Madrid, in a train... Humidity is at 80%, train capacity is at 200%, you're sick, on your way to class, and the train stops. Lights go off.
For 25 minutes.
Tried Spanish medication. (Quite possibly the grandest adventure of the semester). I was given dissolving pills, some weird white powder gel that turns orange when mixed with water and a nasal spray.
Side effects: giggles, light staring contests and passing out.
Got lost for an extended period of time.
**I believe this requires an explanation so you can fully understand how difficult it can be to maneuver yourself around the city (especcially when you are already as directionally challenged as myself). So, I had to teach English for the first time on Monday. Canterbury English gave me a map that at first glance, appeared fairly self explanatory. Upon actually leaving the Metro stop I was directed to get off at, I realized that very few street names were actually labeled on said map. Fortunately I had the address for the house I needed to go to and after asking, at the very least, without exaggeration, 17 people, where this street could possibly be, was given some of the following instructions which I will attempt to translate here:
Take a right, then walk approximately 10 to 20 minutes depending on speed before asking someone else.
I have no idea.
Take el Calle del Prado.
El Calle del Prado does not exist.
Take a right.
Take your second right.
You've gone way too far.
Follow me.
No clue, sorry.
Ummm... well let me take a look at the map... *Pause* Okay, I think it's this way. (I am convinced it's other way). *Yelling, at this point* NO, this way! (By the way, I was right).
Oh, you have to go past this bridge and around this park.
Go under the highway.
Upon finally finding the correct street approximately 45 minutes later, I anxiously begin looking for piso number 8. Unfortunately, the street numbers ended at 12.
After asking another 6 strangers (instructions varied about as much as the previous set)
Apparently (obviously), you go through an intersection, go around a corner, and the street running parallel (for half of its duration) has the same name. Number 8 can be found in said part. Relief was not to come (yet) as once I finally entered the correct complex, I had to go through 6 doors to find the right building and right door. Upon finding the right door, I was instructed to leave (I foolishly assumed it because I was at the wrong house, but as it turns out, the woman wanted to show me where the magic lights were... well maybe next time, don't say ¨No, over there!¨... Just a thought).
Found my very first Chino... If you believe this sounds slightly derogatory, you are indeed slightly correct. Chinos, as I've discovered, are these random stores found supposedly everywhere (although, it's taken me legitamately 1 month to find one... they're definitely pulling a Hogwarts on muggle me). They are generally run by Chinese people, and have anything from nailpolish to food to bagged clothes to dolls... You name it, it is probably there.
Definite highlight of the week?
I was asked by, get ready for this, 2 older women if I was from Madrid... AND got into an arguement with a man because he was asking me details about a store I had never heard of and would not believe me that I was not Spanish (because apparently, if you're Spanish, you should know Madrid like the back of your hand?).
Favorite thing about Madrid thus far?
Everyone sings, all the time... in the metro, in the streets, in their homes. For once, a city that supports life as a musical as much as I do.
For some reason (typical of my luck), my internet has decided to no longer allow me to add pictures. Perhaps this may be difficult in discerning the following fashion favorites, but perhaps, on the other hand, the more left to your imagination, the better.
The male in Madrid is often sported with *please envision* a mullet esc top and rat tail dreds. I have attempted to photograph this new movement, but unfortunately, the Spanish are for some reason stranger camera shy.
Tights under shorts.
High top sneakers for ladies and gentleman alike.
Crotched shirts.
Scrunchies.
Themed belts.
The sch-ress (is it a shirt or is it a dress?)
Their choices in art also interesting (please refer to picture on right... This is, believe it or not hanging up in my current room...).
Needless to say, I'm definitely fitting in.
Well, I hate to disappoint, but it's past my bed time. My mysterious Spanish drugs are kicking in.
Next stop: ROMA!
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