Weather: It seems very hot here.. 26 -28 degrees! Isn’t it? J Especially for me J Now in Poland we have this so called “golden Polish autumn” – quite warm and pleasant.. and for Spanish people it is more or less the same… For me it is summer heat/ hit! J Nevertheless, you do not feel this, as there is wind blowing blissfully on you... Moreover, anytime, anywhere (even in the middle of Plaza Mayor or other Plazas - squares) you can find a building, a monument, a tree that give some shade ;)
Words: Do you want to learn some Spanish words? You want this or not, you will ;) The language around you is only Spanish! No language diversity J On the streets, in buses, in metro… all people talk in Spanish. Hence, it is easy to memorize some words, phrases – at least one a day for sure. Then, it is advisable to remember the context and write it down.. might be needed one day J Anyway, learn words in a given situation, by their context.. as I did (not) J -Here’s the story:
I drink a lot of water, here you must do it. It’s almost obligatory J On the very first day my mentor told me, the tap water in Madrid is absolutely delicious! Because of the Sierra (mountains) around Madrid, the city has a really good water system. You can simply fill your container with AGUA DE GRIFO few times, you do not have to spend money to buy 5 bottles a day.. “agua de grifo”.. What’s more, you can ask for it in each pub, bar, club, restaurant, café, cafetería, taberna, tabernita, cervesería ;)
Today I am walking in the big street.. looking around, just cherishing the day… and no water.. no shop to buy it… but tens of pubs, bars, cervezerías.. etc. but I wouldn’t like to drink cerveza alone.. and I will not spend an arm and leg on water in bar when I know it’s for FREE! But how was it “agua de..agua de..” - OK, I can go for a coffee – but I am thirsty! Fortunately, the sink was just behind the bar so I took a cup of coffee and “THIS (pointing to the sink) agua, por favor”
Hands and bags: Because of that ‘semi’ heat, it is a good idea to have moist tissues in your bag. Your hands will get sweat quickly from clicking and holding your camera. Just keep in mind: hygiene.
When it comes to bags, rucksacks and cameras.. be always careful with them when you enter the crowd in metro, on the street or even when sitting at the table in café garden. Personally, I haven’t had such bad experience, yet it is the thing that every person here – even a gentleman in metro station – will tell you. Keep your bag close to/ in front of you. It’s not the case of crime danger, but pickpocketing.
Hostels: Nowadays the well-known service “Couch surfing” seems the best option to get shelter! Not only it’s for free but you can meet really friendly people and start a new friendship! I do recommend it! Nevertheless, in case you failed to find such place, there are still cheap accommodation opportunities: youth hostels! I stayed in one for 2 nights, 21.33 E/night (breakfast) – (Albergue juvenile, 21, Mejía Lequercia, Madrid http://www.ajmadrid.es/el_albergue.aspx)
This is what you gain by staying in youth hostel:
- it’s situated in the very centre of Madrid;
- you can meet really nice people, in the room, kitchen, internet room;
- every day they organize FreeTours (people from different hostels) – a 3hour walk with a local guide – young, funny person - tour in English.. absolutely perfect occasion to see the city, meet other ‘tourists, make friendships;
- during the weekends the same organizer (hostel team) arrange the event like “going out for tapas” J the whole group visits 3 places and taste local tapas J
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