Your attitude towards a place is often a reflection of the weather. Our stay in Madrid was accompanied by bright sunny days... to start with the temperatures were freezing... but became progressively warmer. Our attitude towards Madrid also became progressively warmer.
Upon arrival, I was looking for the 50% of unemployed youth... expecting to push past a group of angry discontents at each corner. A menacing glance to see if your bag was worth ripping from your shoulder... a callous attitude towards those not doing life as tough as them.
Instead, we found young people standing up on the train, offering their seat to Joye (she hasn't aged that much). On the train, we saw a professional looking singer with his pull along case that housed his amplifier and karaoke play list. He provided top quality singing that the locals clearly enjoyed. He walked out of the carriage offering a tin to collect donations and seemed to do quite well. Other courtesies Madrid citizens show each other are examples Sydney commuters could take note of! Even in the cutting cold of Tuesday, the majority of the populous walk about with a smile on their face. As for the GFC, there are a few shops advertising 'liquidation' sales. But in the 'touristy' centre of town, the unemployed are hard to see. Rather, the streets are full of locals on excursions... school kids and 'Probus' groups queuing up at the museums and art galleries... all looking happy and well cared for.
For a country on the brink of EUC expulsion, this place looks remarkably clean. Minimal graffiti, next to no litter, street surfacing washed each night. The place abounds with stone buildings erected in the period of empire. All the important ones appear to have been steam cleaned within the last decade. I try to resist the temptation to go around taking photos of buildings... but the pristine appearance of some streets has got me reaching for the camera.
One reason we have found Madrid so appealing is the central location of our Airbnb apartment. We 're staying in the old city centre. Walking to any of the tourist attractions is an excursion in itself! The streets are cobblestoned, narrow and full of antique and curio shops. We passed one section that had a string of shops selling religious memorabilia. If you want the decor of your home to resemble St. Mary's, this is the shopping precinct for you! Crucifix statues abound. You could pick up second hand pulpits in excellent condition. Crosses galore. A few church pews to sit people around the dining table. Mary memorabilia is of course very popular.
Even with the cold of winter carried in every breeze, the Madridians will not be robbed of al fresco lunching. In the old part of the city, there is a wide range of cuisines from which to choose. In the narrow streets, you must choose your table wisely to enjoy the sunshine with your glass of vino and a selection of tapas.
Madridians pride themselves on knowing how to get the most from life. I think they have that caper well and truly sorted.
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