Mixed emotions about Madrid

I´ve yet to decide whether I like Madrid... I don´t think 3 nights is enough to make an informed opinion of the place, for I´ve thoroughly enjoyed parts of it and been thoroughly frustrated by other parts. The city is under construction with jack hammers everywhere, and clouds of dust in metro stations which is making for a very uncomfortable transition between tourist stops, but the Madrid locals I´ve come across make up for it by being fairly friendly... but it´s like selected areas of China where very little people speak English.

Another pic of hostel in Madrid.

I spent last night on Madrid´s pub crawl which took us to 4 pubs and a club frequented by blacks. They sure know how to dance! The pubs gave me a very good insight into the wild nightlife that goes on here... all pubs were very different, one of which was Latino and gave me an excellent insight into what I can expect in South America. Not sure if I can say it´s the best in the world, but it was very good. There are heaps of South American tourists here so in a way, this is a very good introduction to my life in the months to come.

Close up of buildings.

The pub crawl was ok, the guys running it were very friendly but the group was small... only about 20 of us. Drinking in Madrid is a rip off... 5 euro for a bottle of beer. I was the only Aussie, and spent most of my time with (forget his name) a guy from Istanbul, Turkey... one of my favourite countries in the world. I left him at 5.30am with this black girl that was teasing him by dancing errotically for about an hour ... like to know what ever happened... if anything!

Before the Pub Crawl (which started at midnight), I watched a Bolivian group of guys play Latino music with an assortment of instruments ... I loved it. Was tempted to buy the CD but didn´t want to carry it around with me whilst crawling the pubs. Has increased my appetite to get to South America even more.

Dancing Competition Spanish Style

I´m loving being immersed in Spanish... learning heaps of new words and will look to purchase an English-Spanish translation guide to help out even more. Being here makes me even more motivated to learn the language.

The hostel is kind of s******* me now, especially with a group of 6 young Melburnians who hang about the room all day... they´ve been friendly to me (and I´ve returned the favour) but they are the type that lie around all day, listening to music, not giving a damn about the other 8 people in the room etc. I´ve been fortunate to have come across mostly considerate backpackers whilst doing the European circuit but these guys are testing my patience. But... at least I was still able to sleep into 12.30 with the ear plugs and eye mask... only to wake to the two girls talking at top volume. I find groups that are travelling together, along with young American women (18 to 20 year old teenagers, just out of highschool) to be the most frustrating fellow backpackers. I am tempted to check out but only have 1 more night so will hang it out. I´m kind of over hostelling it now, and look forward to having mostly hotel rooms over the next 1.5 months sharing with one other person... just hope it´s not another ?? (what´s his name again) from my Hong Kong to Shanghai tour. All my readers will find out in due course!!!!!!

Dancing the night away on the pub crawl.

I walked around the Parque del Retiro (main park in Madrid) yesterday afternoon which was a very soothing experience. This park includes the very controversial El Angel Caido (the fallen angel) which won a first-prize at an international exhibition in Paris in 1878. It is said to be the first statue in the world dedicated to the devil. It was fantastic sitting in the park with a beer, reflecting on Madrid and what´s to come. Everyone that I mention Morocco to kind of sighs... must be a great place. I have no idea what to expect. Today I plan on visiting a palace and Campo del Moro... an 18th century palace.

Madrid streets outside the Royal Palace

Main hang out area in Cat's Hostel

Main Post Office in Madrid

Me and local guy.

Tour guide opening the champaign.

Two local Spanish girls.