Madrid is about THE PEOPLE

After Barcelona, Laurika and I took a night bus to our final destination as a traveling duo—Madrid.  There, Laurika spent a mere 2.5 days before heading home to the US.  I can’t believe she’s gone after 6 weeks of traveling together!  

What set Madrid apart from the other cities we’ve visited, is the people we know there.  Laurika and I each have 3 friends in the Spanish capital and it was such a pleasure visiting them. 

We stayed with Berta, who I met on my first trip to Spain a year-and-a-half ago.  Since then, we’ve taken a road trip up to Montreal together and now hung out in Spain once again.  The red and yellow alien in sunglasses is my favorite French-Columbian, Mafe, Berta’s roommate. 

I got to spend a TON of time with my old friend Jen who I studied abroad with in Mexico with 4 years ago.  I also had the pleasure of meeting her Scottish boyfriend Oli.

Aside from our newfound social lives, we also explored Madrid.  Highlights included an excursion to the castle of Manzaneras with Berta and Mafe, an anti-austerity protest, and an open-mic night of fabulous guitar music.  Next up for me is…Germany!

Castle of Manzanares...let's do a jig.

Charlies Angles...?

Man-date with Oli at Madrid's Temple of Debod

Anti-austerity, anti-corruption, anti-privatization of public services, anti-Angela Merkel--you get the idea--demonstration. 

Naturally we took part. Here Laurika met up with her friend Amy from Yale.

"Hunger, Ignorance, Sickness...Three Huge Businesses."  Spain has a staggering unemployment rate of 26% with an astronomical rate of over 50% for young people like us. 

When I wasn't protesting, I did get to take a bike tour...to see what it's like as a customer instead of a guide.  Here we dodge mounted police in Plaza Mayor.

Madrid's royal chapel: San Jerónimo el Real

Thanks to Mafe, I ended up playing a quick song at a local open mic night, Musica Por la Voluntad.  Everyone was supportive of this virgen extranjero.

We went out to dinner with Catalina.  Okay the connection here is difficult to explain.  15 years ago, Catalina used to babysit Laurika’s best friend!  So therefore she would often babysit Laurika as well.  Amazing to see someone after that long.

 

I also got to see someone from my childhood—Javier Martin.  Javier lived with my family for 2 years in the mid 90s when he was a student at Brooklyn College.  I saw him a year-and-a-half ago in Madrid but I didn’t get to meet Karen, his amazing 9-year old daughter, until this time around!

ANDDDD finally, Laurika spent her final hours in Spain with family friends: Wade, Carmen and Jon. Yay for friends!