Sangria is clearly both a fruit and a vegetable. Lets get healthy
Madrid was awesome. Europe always is in the summertime.
Made it from the airport to Plaza Sol on the metro to check-in at the hotel we had already booked from Perth. Had to put our limited Spanish language skills into use very quickly to ask the surrounding neighbours what has happened to our hotel as it looked well and truly boarded-up. Unfortunately for us the hotel had closed down, booked and paid for though.
Spent the afternoon trying half a dozen hotels for a room for two nights during the weekend, eventually finding a very flash and very expensive one we could stay in. Promptly left the backpacks and headed to the nearest bar for a drink. Nevertheless we did manage to giggle at our missed flight connection and the closed hotel dilemmas. Sangria helped
Plaza del Sol is the hippest and most happening entertainment precinct in Madrid so we had a lot of great meals and drinks there. Perth needs to take a leaf out of Spain's book and serve tapas with every drink. Loved the complimentary snacks with every drinks, some even quite substantial, plus free fruit in Sangria
Favourite tapas dishes were chorizo on sliced baguette, and the white anchovies on tostadas (they are good I promise). And you can't go past the jamon museos (ham museums aka bars). So much good beer, wine, ham and cheese slices to enjoy at the bar, surrounded by many legs of ham hanging from the ceiling. They go well with Sangria
Spent the first weekend doing the sights of Madrid, cathedral, Prado museum, royal palace, the parks and Sangria
Moved into our homestay for the week whilst studying at school. Perfect way to live life like the locals, in a house instead of an un-cultured hotel, ate dinner
at 10.30pm like they all do and jumped on the metro everywhere.
We were very spoilt staying in a lovely apartment on Retiro Park. Spent our afternoons having siestas on the grass in the sunshine. Usually followed by a vino or two, then a jug of Sangria, while attempting homework until a very late dinner time.
School was challenging and fun. Class was
9am - 1pm each day and we didn't wag class even when struggling with the jet-lag. The still in bed conversations had between two fully grown adults about the consequences of wagging were equally serious and hilarious in hindsight. By Friday's class we were just getting our Spanish-lingo mojo on but our week of Spanish immerision was over, time to put it into real practice for the next five months travelling.
Had a fabulous last night out on the town with Jorje's mates Dan and Paul from Brisbane who were also holidaying in Europe. How small is the world hey. ( Hope the trip is going great guys ). Many jugs of Sangria and the tastiest and biggest paella ever. Haven't seen anyone finish one yet.
Flew Madrid - Zurich - Havana. Was a long flight from Zurich to Havana, 13 hours, but worth it.
Next story "Havana a great time".
Jorje y Juanita
xo
