Madrid: Day 1 Thank you coffee

Madrid. We’ve arrived. The airport, while incredibly large is very intuitive and easy to navigate. All way signs are clearly labeled and English friendly. The bus system seems equally well thought out. For one, seatbelts are required on the bus! Brilliant! (It’s never set well with me that we send our young students to school on buses that don’t have seatbelts.)

My first impressions after the drive in…Madrid is a beautiful city. Feels like a cross between New Orleans, with its three-story balcony-laiden buildings, and San Francisco with its rolling hills and dry climate. 

We are staying in a hostel (Hostal Persal) in the heart of the city. It seems to be an idyllic location. We are within walking distance to three amazing museums, the massive Retiro Park, and picturesque Real Jardin Botanico (botanical gardens). The museums are also free for students with a university card.

Our rooms were not immediately ready when we arrived so we sat at a café next-door and enjoyed an espresso and some late breakfast. I ordered a Spanish omelette, which seemed to be a blend of egg and potato. It was accompanied by a delicious roll that I’m sure will be a staple of my diet for the next three weeks.  This entire meal comes at the incredibly low price of eight dollars.

Today’s lesson…cafe culture. After ordering, waiters will not hound you after every bite. Rather, they will come over if you flag them down. You’re free to sit at your table for as long as you like. Tipping is not customary as weight staff make a standard wage from what I understand. I could get used to this.

Sweet nectar.