Studying abroad in Madrid was the best decision I’ve ever made. I would do some embarrassing things to go back, even just for a day (a really long day), to get another taste of that carefree, laidback life. If you ever get the chance to spend 24 hours in this dynamic city, stick with me and ditch any ill-feelings you have for drinking when the sun is still out.
A few tips:
1) Guys, keep your wallet and valuables in your front pockets. Ladies, wear a small messenger bag for your passport, money, lipstick, whatever. Keep that thing on lock down. I don’t want to see it creeping to the side of your hip, and then behind you, because you will have your pocket picked. Man, woman, young, old, the Madrid pick-pocketer is a pro. Stay away from the doors on the metro, anyone in a suit, and anyone reading a big spread out newspaper. And don’t even think about wearing a stupid fanny pack. You better look fresh if you don’t want all the Madrileñas snickering about how stupid you look in that throaty, mouth-full-of-spit-and-cigarette-smoke way of theirs.
2) Wear comfy shoes. Madrid is a walking city, so why hide underground in the metro when instead you can take in the sites? Also, again, ladies, unless you want to roll your ankle, find some cute wedge heels to wear out to the clubs. This city is old and full of cobblestones. A stiletto heel will be your death.
3) I shouldn’t have to tell you this, but try not to act too touristy. Don’t attract attention. Try to blend in, or you will be harassed often. When my Irish friend came to visit from Dublin, I had to protect her from a pickpocketer before we even made it to the hostel from the airport, and on our walk to the hostel from the metro, a group of men tried to put a scarf on her. Don’t ask me why, the point is she stuck out like a sore thumb and people took notice.
4) “Chinos” are like bodegas, or convenience stores, that are mostly open all night and will sell you all the munchies and wine/liquor that your heart desires. Some stop serving liquor at a certain time at night, but most stay open to cash in on the drunken escapades.
5) While you’re in Madrid, there are a few things you can’t leave without tasting. Any bar/restaurant will have these staples: Spanish tortilla, Jamón Serrano (try it at el Museo del Jamón chain), vino tinto (red wine), and croquetas (omg so good).
6) Bocadillo means sandwich. Eat this often.
7) There will be promoters everywhere trying to draw you into their bar/club, enticing you with free shots (chupitos), free mojitos, or sangria. Don’t, as I once did, go to each place, take your free drink, and leave. The drinks they give you for free are sugary and awful and will result in the worst hangover of your life. I'm talking opening the door of the cab at a red light and only managing to say, “Lo siento, señor,” before you vomit onto the street.
8) Tapas are not just small plates of food that you order to share. Tapas are the free swag that comes with your alcoholic beverage at any bar/restaurant but a club. Some places offer some great free food, like croquettes and paella. Others only offer pickled onions or olives or something. You can, of course, order off the menu if you want a little extra. The point is, eating with your drink is something I got used to very quickly. Apparently, it’s some sort of a law in Spain that you must serve food with drink. Legend has it that some king was very sick and got better by drinking a little wine and then eating a little food, repeatedly. At the same time, the peasants would come into town and spend any extra money they had on wine, getting absolutely hammered, and bringing down production. So, the king decreed that every tavern must serve food with drinks so the farmers don’t get too drunk. As you can imagine, tavern keeps probably didn’t like giving out free food. In an attempt to cheat the system, they would pour all their old wine and liquor together with some fruit and other stuff and serve that old school jungle juice called Sangria. The reason tapas are called “tapas” is that some other king was at the beach once drinking beer and someone put a piece of ham over his glass to keep the sand out. He absentmindedly ate the ham, enjoyed it, and asked if someone would bring him another one of those “tapas.” Well there you go. There’s your history for the day.
9) Don’t rush. Relax and enjoy yourself, because that’s how the locals do it. You won’t be eating lunch until around 4pm and dinner isn’t served until around 10 pm, so if you need a small snack in the in between hours, sit down and have a beer or a glass of wine and enjoy whatever free plate of food comes with it, whether it be potato chips, olives, or small tortilla bites.
Look out for my next post on what you should do if you were in Madrid for a day.