After my decadent and glorious one year sabbatical, I decided to pick up a gig and so my two suitcases, polo gear and I headed to headquarters to report for duty where I would be given my 1st assignment J
...MADRID! I was no stranger to the place since I had studied in Spain for a year and had visited numerous times. Coming up to my three month anniversary here though I must say that the place has grown on me unexpectedly.
With base in Barrio Salamanca, I love my morning runs through ‘El Retiro’ Madrid’s version of New York’s Central park or London’s Hyde Park and the familiarity of being on a first name basis with the local newspaper vendor. Every morning it’s the usual “Buenos dias Miguel Angel, un El Pais y Un Expansion por favor”. Then it’s a quick stop to my local café for a fresh squeezed ‘zumo de naranja’. I get the usual stares from the locals who are lighting up their morning cigarettes accompanied by a ‘café con leche’ and the breakfast ritual of baguette with fresh smashed tomatoes and olive oil. With Gabana, Fortuny and Dejate Besar Madrid’s classic nightlife institutions, the fabulous shopping streets of Calle Velazquez, Serano, Ortega & Gasset, a conveniently located low key metro station Nunez & Balboa, MCNY manicure & pedicure heaven, top notch restaurants such as ‘Pan de Lujo’, Le Garage, Tsunami, ‘El Mercado de Diego y Leon’ for fresh produce, and “comfort essentials” such as the international chains Starbucks and Le Pain Quotidien but also some national chain goodies such as Lateral and VIPS all within a short walk from my doorstep and Voila I’m in Heaven!
Weekends I venture to the seedier parts of town such as ‘La Latina’, ‘Chueca’, and ‘Gran Via’. Enjoying places like ‘Juana la Loca’ for creative tapas and a cozy atmosphere, Bar Cock in Calle Reina for an eclectic crowd and delicious cocktails, Korgui for curious Japanese and Mexican fusion and the endless hidden boutiques in the narrow pedestrian streets of Chueca.
More importantly though I can get my dose of art here. First class institutions such as EL Prado, Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, Reina Sofia, MAPFRE Foundacion and art installations at Elvira Gonzalez and Alvaro Alcazar.
