Day 35
HOLA! I landed in Madrid, Spain. Spain has always been on top of my list of countries to visit. I instantly felt the difference between Madrid, Barcelona and Ibiza. Every city has it's own characteristic. The only thing I have to get use to is not having the beach within my reach.
I only caught about 3 hours of sleep the previous night and there was no way I could conquer Madrid in my state. It was only 1pm when i reached the hostel and check in was 4pm. I had to pull myself off the ground and so some light walking. I walked down this street that was full of Indians & Africans. I instantly felt like I was no longer in Spain. What is happening? There were curry shops after curry shops and it seem to never end.
I hurried out of that street as I was beginning to feel unsafe again. I found myself in the grocery store searching for my much craved instant noodles. I have been wanting them since Greece but could not justify eating it. It was cheaper to eat a Gyros that was made fresh than this noodle junk. I made my way back to the hostel and fixed up my crave. SATISFIED.
Trying to push through till night fall, I found myself at a public seating with a bottle of red wine, a tray of pochuitto and a baguette. There was even live Spanish guitar playing at the near by cafe. It was perfect. This was the Spanish feel I have dreamt of since forever. I was under the Spanish skyline living in a dream. I was in love.
Day 36
Every city I arrive to I tend to allow one day to be explores by foot. Destination would always be unknown. I would allow my heart to decide which direction to take.
I found myself at all these amazing landmarks. The buildings are amazing in Spain. The history and the ackitechory are breath taking. You can't compare this with home. Every country you visit has it's own uniqueness. I saved myself a map to identify the places I stumbled upon however clumsy Calafati left it behind on the day she left.
One thing I must note down is my weakness for Markets. The markets in Spain offer not only your usual essentials but amazing tapas style food too. I stumbled across the Mercado(market) San Antonio and knew this was going to be my worse nightmare. As a sucker for food, I was aware there was no getting out of here with anything in my tummy. The variety was too large for me. I wanted to try everything. My process in making my decision was hopeless. I walked up and down so many times to the point where I confused my mind. In the end I opted for the below.
Day 37
I did another day of sight seeing by foot and again side tracked into another market. I could totally live in Madrid if everyday was like this with no worries in life. Only food was life!I stumbled upon a palace. I didn't go inside as there was an entrance fee involved. Once again I am travelling on a shoestring. I would get to a landmark, observe from outside and take a photo for memory. I sat right across with the view of the palace. Right down the steps was a gentlemen playing the violin. I was mesmerised. I never thought classical music would grab my attention. This gentleman certainly did. I lost myself into his violin sounds and gazed into the thin air for almost two hours. It somewhat touched me and gave me am emotional sting. It was relaxing but at the same time I wanted to cry. Over what? I don't know. I held my years back. I ended the night again with a bottle of wine. In what wine, straight from the bottle no glass.
Day 38
I did another day of sight seeing by foot and again side tracked into another market. I could totally live in Madrid if everyday was like this with no worries in life. Only food was life!I stumbled upon a palace. I didn't go inside as there was an entrance fee involved. Once again I am travelling on a shoestring. I would get to a landmark, observe from outside and take a photo for memory. I sat right across with the view of the palace. Right down the steps was a gentlemen playing the violin. I was mesmerised. I never thought classical music would grab my attention. This gentleman certainly did. I lost myself into his violin sounds and gazed into the thin air for almost two hours. It somewhat touched me and gave me am emotional sting. It was relaxing but at the same time I wanted to cry. Over what? I don't know. I held my years back. I ended the night again with a bottle of wine. In what wine, straight from the bottle no glass.
Day 38
I decided to take a day trip out to Toledo, about 70km out of Madrid. Toledo is known as the "imperial City" and is also known for its production in bladed weapons. The whole community of Toledo gives a medieval feel. I spent half the day down in Toledo pretending I was a knight roaming the streets trying to guard it. Jokes.
I met two Portuguese female that was sharing the same dorm as me. Some of the nicest people I have met so far in my trip. Their names were Marian & Thais. I decided to joined them on a girls night out. I was actually excited to see what the night life in Madrid was. I was told the party don't start until least 2am. I find it weird that the europeans start their night this late. In Australia, most club would refuse entry and prepare for closing. I have been over in Europe for more than a month and have kind of adjusted to this life style.
We left about midnight and stumbled upon a few bars for drinks before we made our way to a commercial club called Shoko. When I hear the word commercial I instantly think of radio songs and is super excited to listen to the top 40s. I was wrong, they played a mixture of Spanish and english songs which made the night even more fun. I have always wanted to dance to Latino music.
The flow of drinks came left, right and centre. I honestly don't remember where they came from. It was already too late for me to realised it was a massive night for me. I soon found myself throwing up and talking non sense. I wanted to make my own way home but the girls wouldn't leave me out of their sight. I have always knew that when traveling on your own, nobody will have your back no matter how nice they played to be. I was surprised by the way they looked out for me.
What a night! I really had a good time despite the drunkness of mine. One of the girls lives in Berlin and there is a possible chance she may be home when I arrive. I look forward to seeing her once again.
Day 39
I woke up with a massive headache. I could feel my head swaying left and right. I could feel my last day in madrid to be a write-off. It was definitely a big night because I was still in yesterday clothes. I quickly hopped into the shower and cleaned myself up. What a mess I was! The girls woke up laughing and we spent the next few hours in bed talking about the events of the night. They had fun despite me being the lousy drunk. Thank God! I never want to be anyones worry during a nights out.
I had plans to head to a football match in Madrid. It may not be one of the teams I wanted to see but it was the only one I could make during my stay in Spain. I thought of just sleeping my headache off and heading to the match at night. The girls convince me to get up and museum it. Little did they not know my attention spain on history or arts is very small. I thought to myself that I should at least try a museum out just to test myself whether or not I can appreciate fine things.
We headed to Prado, one of the biggest art museum in Spain. It was three stories high that houses arts from Spanish artists. We went into an area that was a little more sacred. It was a large variety of the Jesus Christ and his stories. I felt really into this section as it touched my heart deep. I am a sucker when it comes to anything to do with the Catholic church. I noticed every artist had their own interpretation of Jesus, Mary & Joseph. I have always visioned them to be what the Catholic church illustrated them to be. I was lost in the painting and found it difficult to recognise these familiar faces. I guess nobody really knew how they looked like. They really could look like you nor myself.
This was about an hour into it and we were only half a floor done. I was no over it. My appreciation and attention spain had died on me. I wanted to get out of there. At this moment I knew I would not be attending anymore museums during my trip. I pushed myself into another section and all I did was walk straight pass each painting with a quick glimpse. I could not take it anymore. I told the girls I am going. I am totally over this. I don't wanna be here anymore. Surprisingly they were in the same boat too. We left together and headed back to the hostel.
The girls plan to go out for Tapas, as a recently met local was taking them out to a famous place. I was not going to give up my Spanish soccer dream for food. I quickly got changed and headed out to the stadium. I had a rough idea where it was but thankfully it seemed like the whole town was heading that way. I just followed all the people wearing football jerseys. The atmosphere is so different to football (AFL) games at home. The crowd was just hanging outside the stadium, drinking at the pubs right across. The stadium was home to the Atletico (Madrid). As you walk around the stadium, there was countless street stalls selling nuts, drinks, beer and snacks. It was weird to see street stalls and not actually canteens like we have back home. Tonights match was Atletico vs Rayo.
I notice nobody speaks english as I was trying to purchase my ticket. Luckily they had seating charts with prices on them. We used hand gesture and here comes my ticket. I was super excited. I missed the start but it was never too late. It also took me awhile to find my seat, it was hard understanding the seating on the ticket. I got goosebumps before I even made it to my seats. The crowd was so loud. I was seated among a whole stadium of Spaniards. I look left of the stadium and the whole stand was up on their seats chanting super loud. They chanted non stop for the whole entire game. Everyone was so into it but they were much more politer than the Aussie began supporters back at home. I felt comfortable around them. Atletico ended up winning 5 goals to nil. I wish I could understand spanish. It would have made it even more fun to know what they were chanting and yelling about.
I made my way back to the hostel and called it a night. I think my time in Madrid is truly done but I would never say no to more days here though. I am sure I could find more things to do.
I am on my way to Valencia tomorrow.
See you then
xo
calafati
I met two Portuguese female that was sharing the same dorm as me. Some of the nicest people I have met so far in my trip. Their names were Marian & Thais. I decided to joined them on a girls night out. I was actually excited to see what the night life in Madrid was. I was told the party don't start until least 2am. I find it weird that the europeans start their night this late. In Australia, most club would refuse entry and prepare for closing. I have been over in Europe for more than a month and have kind of adjusted to this life style.
We left about midnight and stumbled upon a few bars for drinks before we made our way to a commercial club called Shoko. When I hear the word commercial I instantly think of radio songs and is super excited to listen to the top 40s. I was wrong, they played a mixture of Spanish and english songs which made the night even more fun. I have always wanted to dance to Latino music.
The flow of drinks came left, right and centre. I honestly don't remember where they came from. It was already too late for me to realised it was a massive night for me. I soon found myself throwing up and talking non sense. I wanted to make my own way home but the girls wouldn't leave me out of their sight. I have always knew that when traveling on your own, nobody will have your back no matter how nice they played to be. I was surprised by the way they looked out for me.
What a night! I really had a good time despite the drunkness of mine. One of the girls lives in Berlin and there is a possible chance she may be home when I arrive. I look forward to seeing her once again.
Day 39
I woke up with a massive headache. I could feel my head swaying left and right. I could feel my last day in madrid to be a write-off. It was definitely a big night because I was still in yesterday clothes. I quickly hopped into the shower and cleaned myself up. What a mess I was! The girls woke up laughing and we spent the next few hours in bed talking about the events of the night. They had fun despite me being the lousy drunk. Thank God! I never want to be anyones worry during a nights out.
I had plans to head to a football match in Madrid. It may not be one of the teams I wanted to see but it was the only one I could make during my stay in Spain. I thought of just sleeping my headache off and heading to the match at night. The girls convince me to get up and museum it. Little did they not know my attention spain on history or arts is very small. I thought to myself that I should at least try a museum out just to test myself whether or not I can appreciate fine things.
We headed to Prado, one of the biggest art museum in Spain. It was three stories high that houses arts from Spanish artists. We went into an area that was a little more sacred. It was a large variety of the Jesus Christ and his stories. I felt really into this section as it touched my heart deep. I am a sucker when it comes to anything to do with the Catholic church. I noticed every artist had their own interpretation of Jesus, Mary & Joseph. I have always visioned them to be what the Catholic church illustrated them to be. I was lost in the painting and found it difficult to recognise these familiar faces. I guess nobody really knew how they looked like. They really could look like you nor myself.
This was about an hour into it and we were only half a floor done. I was no over it. My appreciation and attention spain had died on me. I wanted to get out of there. At this moment I knew I would not be attending anymore museums during my trip. I pushed myself into another section and all I did was walk straight pass each painting with a quick glimpse. I could not take it anymore. I told the girls I am going. I am totally over this. I don't wanna be here anymore. Surprisingly they were in the same boat too. We left together and headed back to the hostel.
The girls plan to go out for Tapas, as a recently met local was taking them out to a famous place. I was not going to give up my Spanish soccer dream for food. I quickly got changed and headed out to the stadium. I had a rough idea where it was but thankfully it seemed like the whole town was heading that way. I just followed all the people wearing football jerseys. The atmosphere is so different to football (AFL) games at home. The crowd was just hanging outside the stadium, drinking at the pubs right across. The stadium was home to the Atletico (Madrid). As you walk around the stadium, there was countless street stalls selling nuts, drinks, beer and snacks. It was weird to see street stalls and not actually canteens like we have back home. Tonights match was Atletico vs Rayo.
I notice nobody speaks english as I was trying to purchase my ticket. Luckily they had seating charts with prices on them. We used hand gesture and here comes my ticket. I was super excited. I missed the start but it was never too late. It also took me awhile to find my seat, it was hard understanding the seating on the ticket. I got goosebumps before I even made it to my seats. The crowd was so loud. I was seated among a whole stadium of Spaniards. I look left of the stadium and the whole stand was up on their seats chanting super loud. They chanted non stop for the whole entire game. Everyone was so into it but they were much more politer than the Aussie began supporters back at home. I felt comfortable around them. Atletico ended up winning 5 goals to nil. I wish I could understand spanish. It would have made it even more fun to know what they were chanting and yelling about.
I made my way back to the hostel and called it a night. I think my time in Madrid is truly done but I would never say no to more days here though. I am sure I could find more things to do.
I am on my way to Valencia tomorrow.
See you then
xo
calafati
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