The beginning of travelling! Madrid.

One of my best friends is also on the Erasmus scheme but in Madrid. Her university course appears to be way more relaxed than mine and she has lots of time of to travel around Spain and really see the country she is living in. My first term in Milan has been so intense that i couldn't even go away on weekends if i wanted to nor could i afford to due to living costs and the cost of fabrics and materials for my course. I've been so jealous of the experience that she is having out there compared to mine as she has a social life and travels constantly... But then i remember i'm studying fashion in Milan and get over myself.

When i compare the experiences that we are both having on our  separate Erasmus adventures, it's really eyeopening to see the differences! For example, up until now i have been drown down with endless amounts of work, sometimes sitting up until 4am to have work to a certain standard for the next day - Despite the fact that this sounds awfully depressing, don't feel sorry for me, I live for this kind of rewarding stress! (I know right, who am i?) On the other hand, Imogen is that terribly annoying person on facebook posting endless photographs of her amazing time in Madrid and surrounding cities with her new friends. (Green monster) Luckily, my term at university after Easter is looking very nice in terms of time off - they're definitely going easy on us with mainly lecture based classes. Which meannnssss.... I can go travelling!!! And i plan to use the time i have left here very wisely!

Madrid

After this awful rant about my jealousy for Imogen's life in Madrid, it only makes sense that i fly out and see her and find out what the fuss is about! My friend Kayleigh and I booked flights to see her on the 6th - 9th May. From the moment we landed we were in ore of the city! First off, people in Madrid look normal! (this isn't a dig at Milanese people, they're just skinny and olive skinned here) Everyone we met was so friendly and her friend in the apartment were very welcoming and accommodating. 

Naturally on arrival we needed a cerveza! "We're on holiday". Imogen took us to a small bar called El Tigre in what was apparently the gay district... and yes, it was apparent. I have NEVER been to a place like this in my life! We each ordered a beer which cost us 2.50 euros and then they brought over four seriously loaded plates of food, which was awesome, best 2.50 i've ever spent! But then he just kept coming and coming until we had to kindly decline these never ending plates of amazing tapas food! He was like the tapas version of Mary Poppins.

After having a quick tour of Imogen's new home town we joined some of her new friends in a beautiful park that over looked onto a jaw-dropping view. We sat there until 9:30pm - completely unintentionally! But the weather was so beautiful that neither of us realised the time! We were due to head out to a bar that played swing music that night so we ate out at place called 'The Zombie Burger Bar' for some good grub before the night ahead. Do i even need to go into how good my goats cheese and caramelised onion burger was? I wouldn't be writing about it if it wasn't amazing!

The next morning was our first whole day in Madrid so we walked the length of Gran Via (several times) and then headed to Parque del Retiro to see the Palacia de Cristal (glass house). I fell in love with the Palacia de Cristal instantly! It is beautiful space made up of a series of glass windows. Birds have found their way inside and a handful of rocking chairs have been scattered around the room. Utter silence apart from the chirping of the lost birds and the caged heat (sigh) my idea of heaven!

The Parque del Retiro was a beautiful place to take some time out from the hectic city of Madrid. If i lived there (which i wish) i'd be down there as often as possible, grab myself a rocking chair and a good book! The actual grounds of the park provide great space for a walk around the park and time to appreciate the quiet and nature of Madrid. There is plenty of water features and cafe's to stop along the way for refreshments.

Also in Parque del Retiro is a small man-made lake with rowing boats available for hire and on one side of the lake is a huge monument which was made in remembrance of the king. Of course we got a boat...

After walking around Madrid for the majority of the day in 28 degree heat, i was certainly colourful (lobster red) and gagging for a cold beverage in a nice bar! Imogen took us to a great place called 'Gymage' which is a rooftop bar overlooking beautiful scenery. Like Milan, Madrid is a religious city. Therefore, churches really are everywhere. The rooftop bar is next door to one of these churches and i was dying for the bells to ring to see how loud they were! They did ring and everyone around stopped and watched the until they were finished. Gymage was a really great place for the late afternoon in the sunset - they even had cool water spraying above each booth!

The following day we took the cable car to Casa De Campo which is a huge desert-like area where most people go to walk or for a long bike ride. We walked for about half an hour before we were truly lost in these dusty roads- but with a bit of initiative and navigational skills, we made our way back in one mucky piece. The grounds of Casa De Campo go for miles and actually cover more acres of land than New York Central Park three times over! 

On the last morning it seemed appropriate that we tried something new for brunch and found a gorgeous little french pancake restaurant. The restaurant was owned and run by one man, he was the chef, the waiter and front of house! I ordered a white chocolate macchiato and a chicken with goats cheese and caramelized onion pancake. I'm not going to sit here and pretend it wasn't weird - it definitely was weird! But it was so good! I could drink the white chocolate macchiato all day everyday! If your'e in the area and fancy something a little different, you should definitely get yourself a savoury pancake from this place!

Last but definitely not least! This is my top place of recommendation!

The San Miguel Market! If you haven't already heard about it then you need to learn about this place! I could have spent an entire day there - It's amazing for experiencing the way  the Spanish do food and drink but within a higher price range. For us tourists its perfect for an afternoon to grab yourslef a sangria and few plates of nibbles. We bought sangria from a lady at a stall for 5 euros and it was so good i went back for another... if you have somewhere to be after your visit to the market i wouldn't indulge in more than two. Trust me! When people hear the words food market i'd say the majority of us picture an outdoor market with a number of white tents selling various things. San Miguel Market is a stylish indoor market with quite a high class of people. I wasn't going to walk around all of this delicious food and not try any of it! My friend Kayleigh and i shared some pastry goodies filled with chorizo, spicy ham and vegetables. We also shared a sausage and chorizo paella and a selection of olives. Crazy good food.