Madrid Day 3: Today was a good day

As Ice Cube once said "Today was a good day." I started the day by drinking my weight in the delicious, complimentary coffee available at our hostel. The machine that provides this nectar can only be described as a Nespresso machine on steroids. He might be my new best friend.  

I then met with my class for an hour in the hotel conference room to recap our observations and the things we've learned so far. The meeting was very informal. No Power Point slides. No quizzes. No panicking about grades! Just sharing what we have learned. This feels right. Like a genuine teaching moment.

Our first conversation as a class went much better than I had anticipated, especially considering this is only day 3. While still prying themselves out of their shells, these students shared some wonderful insights. They noted how safe they feel in this city of 3.4 million people. When asked why this might be, they reported the overall cleanliness of the city along with the absence of guns and public drunkenness. While pickpocketing is a thing in busy areas, Spaniards do not often drink to excess, guns are not permitted, and the the city is constantly being cleaned by public service workers. Police officers in Spain are considered very trustworthy and genuine allies to the community. Personally, I feel much safer in Madrid than I do in any other city in America. 

We also touched on the issue of poverty and it's relationship with crime. While there are fewer millionaires and billionaires in Spain, the minimum wage in Spain is higher (relatively) and the cost of living is lower than the U.S. The socialist tax system ensures all have access to healthcare and a solid education. Importantly, there are fewer individuals in poverty. Fewer issues of haves vs. have nots. 

One of my students (Kate) noted the collective culture of Spain and how this differs from the individualistic culture of the U.S. Spaniards tend to be less stressed and less focused on being first. Conversations are long and heartfelt. We discussed the possibility that this collective spirit might also have a positive influence on crime and safety. 

We ended the day by visiting the King of Spain!!! Ok, so we didn't actually meet the King but we did visit the Royal Palace! (It turns out the king doesn’t actually live in the Royal Palace. I also have zero connections with King Felipe.)  Guided by an amazing tour guide named Paco, we strolled through one of the most amazing buildings I've ever seen. Marble statues, massive pillars, beautifully painted ceilings, silk wallpaper, antique clocks, and intricate chandeliers in every room. 

 It was a good day.