Enjoying Madrid

An Aussie Girl in Madrid by Kate N. - Post # 3.

I have woken up this morning with a 'slight' headache from the deliciously lethal Sangria and Chupitos (shots) I endured last night in Madrid.  Sangria nowdays is a typical tourist drink - the locals tend to only drink it on a special occasion.  It is a red-wine punch that Spanish people from all walks of life enjoy.  Sangria is created from red wine, fruit juices, soda water/lemonade, fruit and whatever spirit you would like to add. The fruit is the best part as it soaks up all the alcohol, so don´t leave it at the end!

I had a great introduction to Madrid via the locals. I have been to Madrid twice now and each time I go my experiences just keep getting better and better! My first time last year in Madrid was spent wondering the streets and exploring the Jardin Botanico (Royal Botanical Gardens) and the Palacio Real de Madrid (Royal Palace).  My favourite place though where I spent most of my time  was the Reina Sofia Museum.  I enjoyed the exhibitions on display and I was blown away by the famous artworks on display by Pablo Picasso -  my favourite Spanish artists!  Picasso was one of the most influential Spanish artists of the 20th century.  

Throughout his long career, Picasso was a painter, sculpture, ceramist, set designer, poet, playwright and director of the Prado Museum (one of the most prestigious art museums in the world that holds masterpieces from the Spanish, Italian and Flemish schools) during the Spanish war.  He was a Classicist, Primitivist and Cubist fascinated by myths, the circus and bullfighting.  One of his most influential artworks hangs in the Reina Sofia El Gurnica - a mural that displays the pain of the victims that were bombed in Guernica on April 27, 1937 when the German air force bombed the town of Guernica during the Spanish civil war (1936-1939).

I was also lucky enough to enjoy the best known 'Tablao Flamenco' dancing in the world at Corral de la Morería.  Flamenco dancing (baile) is so stern and emotive – the dancer's dance from all the sorrows and joys of life. The costumes, combined with handclaps (palmas), echoing singing (cante) and guitar playing (toque) gives you goosbumps.

Earlier this year when I came to Madrid for the second time, I spent some time in the Prado Museum and discovered the 'Temple of Gastronomy', the Mercado de San Miguel; a market that is home to 33-stalls selling mouth-watering tapas, wine, and products to take home!  Brilliant!

This trip to Madrid made my third time and it felt so good to be back.  I jumped on the back on David´s motorbike despite my short skirt...oops!  The weather has been so hot, summer arriving early with the heat coming from the Sahara.  
David, Andrea and I spent the next few hours bar hoping with Rachel "improving" her spanish with all the promoters walking the streets trying to get as many people into their bars.  It was great; we got a free drink in every bar and didn’t pay a cent all night! Apparently girl’s don´t pay for their nights out in Madrid so make the most of Madrid girls!
The two most important new Spanish words I learnt yesterday were:

CHUPITO: SHOT & RESACA: HUNGOVER...

The host Family I am staying with are very warm, welcoming and willing to teach me about their language and culture.  Last week Julian´s (Almudena ´s husband) Mother was here to stay and I was lucky enough to learn how to make a Tortilla - a delicious Spanish potato based omelet. The perfect "resaca" remedy...