Soy una madrileña

Here's what it takes to become a madrileña (a citizen of Madrid)


1. Blend in in Madrid: Check.
Today we finally visited the city! We did a walking tour of Madrid, and almost the first thing that came out of our guide's mouth was, "Don't be afraid." Apparently, you only are a target for theft if you stand out--by looking scared/nervous that someone will steal from you.  I didn't get robbed.








2. Visit the Puerta del Sol: Double Check
The Puerta del Sol is near the middle of Madrid and is one of (if not the biggest) shopping centers in the city. It's also the center of arts--plays, theatre, movies--and also of government. It's basically one big street/plaza with little streets branching off. We spent hours walking around the many streets, going through shops and killing our feet. 

King Charles III

McDonalds in Madrid

3. See the Plaza Mayor: Check Plus
We really only just walked through this place but it's sooo cool!! It's been used as a place for markets, bull fights, public executions and of course soccer games.

4. Savor Churros y chocolate: Check but willing to do this again
We found a quaint little chocolate shop on one of the side streets off the Puerta del Sol. Apparently it's famous for its chocolate. So the churros are basically fried dough, then you dip it in a thick chocolate drink. It's fabulous!! (And it was gone in no time)

5. See the old style cathedrals that dot the city: Check
There are so many cathedrals and convents in old Madrid!

6. Enjoy tapas: Check Check Check
Tapas is unique just to Spain, and it's fabulous. People like to drink here-vine, beer, you name it. But our guide told us that they don't drink just to get drunk (like the Americans he said), but that drinking is part of their culture. It's leisurely. And classy. And they rarely get drunk. So tapas are basically food that comes with your drink to prevent you from drinking too much and getting drunk.  Each bar has its own unique types of tapas. So the thing to do is bar hop and try out the tapas at several places. We did that, too.




We went here first...

To eat these...

Alveoli(or something like that), similar to potato salad

Then we went here...

For these....

Yes, I tried the olives and the shrimp-two things I cannot stand!

Finally, we went here...

For these....

Cod-I didn't eat one bite!

7. Live in Madrid: CHECK!
That's a given, I suppose. And since I live in a suburb (Alcalá de Henares), I live in Madrid. Our guide told us that the people are very accepting here, and that they have claimed people (authors, poets, actors) as madrileños simply because they lived in Madrid for a time. If that's all it takes, then soy una madrileña!

Things I have yet to do:
Go inside the Prado Museum
Tour the Palacio Real
Visit the Parque Retiro