Madrid
I´m in Madrid. Getting here wasn't much of a problem, minus the surly ticket cleck at the station in Barcelona. My accomidations are fine, if a little disapointing. The hostel is a small place without much a sign, but owns a great reputation. It was given two thumbs in my book and top ten worldwide status buy several hostel sights. That being said, its disapointing. Lots of rules, pissy staff, shitty breakfast, pay to use lockers, and none of the air conditioning I was promised. It is however fine. Its a youth hostel, a cheap bed. Its certainly clean enough, which is always nice, but with all the hype...it falls short. The one thing I really don't like is that they'll hold onto your bag after you check out if your train in later, but they charge 5 euros for the service. Every other place it is courtesy.
The neighborhood seems cool. I haven't explored it yet, instead I'm walking around the northern part of the city. I took the subway to the station, got my train reservation, and walked. I saw Real Mardrid's stadium, it's very compact. The place holds 80,000, 90,000 people, but fits in a city block, very nice.
From there I walked to another stadium that is now a community place and from there to the bullring where I stood trying to figure out how to buy tickets. The place is cheap, only 2 or 3 euros for the cheapest spots. An old guy tried to help me, but I don't speak Spanish. I think he meant I should come back after 7pm tonight, but he may have meant the fight is at 7pm tomorrow. I'll head up at around seven anyway, but if I'm wrong, whixh is probable, they give guided tours for only 5 euros so do that tomorrow and buy my ticket them. I'm going to a Bullfight, cool.
I may have company to it, too. I met this interesting backpacker couple on the train. Brazilian girl (US green card holder), Canadian guy who actually only met 2 days before, but their personal penchant for public displays of affection make Maizie and I look like a 70 year old Mormon couple. Apparently their new relationship is personafied by pain. She dropped her pack on his head on the train and his ear drum exploded (by infection) on the beach in Barcelona. Personafied by HIS pain really, that girl must be cursed. He spent much of their non-make out portion of the ride trying to drain blood out of his ear. I remember my ear infections, I don't miss them.
Oddly enough her mother dated banjo meastro Bela Fleck a couple of years age. She says he is very nice.
Those two made me miss Maizie terribly.
Ajax Amsterdam's home opener is the 20th, the day before the family leaves. Its probably sold out but, should we try to get tickets?
I'm on my way back to the hostel where I'm going to rest for a few hours, read a little, and go explore some more later. My feet hurt today, not that thats stopped me, but it is odd.
I think thats all for now. This will likely be the last post my folks read until after their trip. Can't wait to see them. My money situtaion hasn't been bad, everyone is impressed I've only spent about 1,700 clams in 6 six weeks, 40ish a day. I'm told thats great, but I could have done better.
I love and miss you all,
Matt
The neighborhood seems cool. I haven't explored it yet, instead I'm walking around the northern part of the city. I took the subway to the station, got my train reservation, and walked. I saw Real Mardrid's stadium, it's very compact. The place holds 80,000, 90,000 people, but fits in a city block, very nice.
From there I walked to another stadium that is now a community place and from there to the bullring where I stood trying to figure out how to buy tickets. The place is cheap, only 2 or 3 euros for the cheapest spots. An old guy tried to help me, but I don't speak Spanish. I think he meant I should come back after 7pm tonight, but he may have meant the fight is at 7pm tomorrow. I'll head up at around seven anyway, but if I'm wrong, whixh is probable, they give guided tours for only 5 euros so do that tomorrow and buy my ticket them. I'm going to a Bullfight, cool.
I may have company to it, too. I met this interesting backpacker couple on the train. Brazilian girl (US green card holder), Canadian guy who actually only met 2 days before, but their personal penchant for public displays of affection make Maizie and I look like a 70 year old Mormon couple. Apparently their new relationship is personafied by pain. She dropped her pack on his head on the train and his ear drum exploded (by infection) on the beach in Barcelona. Personafied by HIS pain really, that girl must be cursed. He spent much of their non-make out portion of the ride trying to drain blood out of his ear. I remember my ear infections, I don't miss them.
Oddly enough her mother dated banjo meastro Bela Fleck a couple of years age. She says he is very nice.
Those two made me miss Maizie terribly.
Ajax Amsterdam's home opener is the 20th, the day before the family leaves. Its probably sold out but, should we try to get tickets?
I'm on my way back to the hostel where I'm going to rest for a few hours, read a little, and go explore some more later. My feet hurt today, not that thats stopped me, but it is odd.
I think thats all for now. This will likely be the last post my folks read until after their trip. Can't wait to see them. My money situtaion hasn't been bad, everyone is impressed I've only spent about 1,700 clams in 6 six weeks, 40ish a day. I'm told thats great, but I could have done better.
I love and miss you all,
Matt