Advertisement
Published: July 30th 2008
Edit Blog Post
Day at the pool
Sue, Miguel and David chilling out by anna (and david) June 23rd - July 6th
The first two weeks back in Madrid were crazy. We were fortunate enough to return at a great time for Spain and Madrid with the end of the Euro Cup, and in our own barrio, the gay pride festival.
Our first weekend back we were introduced to the
local pool here in Madrid. Really impressive. Another thing we could learn from Spain to apply in Aus. The pool is a couple of metro stops away from us, so is within easy reach, and is brilliantly designed with two adult and one kiddie pool set amongst terraced gardens which provide areas with both shade and sun. The landscaping makes wherever you are feel more intimate than if the whole area was in one flat plain without division. We had a lovely day there with Sue and Miguel (if you remember, friends we have made through school). We arrived at about midday and stayed until it closed at 9pm, ending the day with some beers and sangria, right where we'd spent the day around the pool.
Needless to say,
the semi finals and the final of the Euro Cup were really
exciting. We watched Spain's semi final match at a bar nearby Miguel's work with Miguel, Sue, and Miguel's colleague, Alfredo. The bar had enough people for atmosphere but we still had a great view and enjoyed some sensational cod croquetas, jamon, cheese and chorizo washed down with some great vino from the Ribera del Duero. What a spanish experience!
Afterwards, we headed into the streets to soak up the celebration (watch the videos above -with sound - for a small sample). It was awesome - people honking horns and hanging out of their cars, all the way to Plaza de Colon, where the main commentary team and telecast was happening. We joined the crowd of red and yellow singing "podemos" ("we can") and all sorts of other war cries. It was a sensational atmosphere and we were excited for the next week's final.
For the final, Alfredo was generous enough to have us all over to his apartment for the match. We had bought ourselves spanish shirts in support of our adopted country (and to avoid the otherwise obvious assumption that, being fair skinned and fair haired, we were German).
(Once Italy were knocked out I threw my Celebrating for Spain
David, Anna, Sue and Miguel in Spanish strip on Alfredo's terrace the night of the final full support behind what was clearly the best team in the tournament) Although it was only the five of us, it was a great atmosphere and we all jumped around the room in excitement as Spain scored the only goal of the match, and then went on to win
(great goal by Torres who I didn't think was up for it after the semi but he made me eat my words - probably a bit of Arsenal bias towards Fabregas at play too). After the match, we spent some time on the terrace as all the neighbours came out on their balconies, or stuck their heads out the window to yell congratulations to each other. We then headed into the streets again to mingle with the crowds.
I don't think I have ever been in the same spot with so many people. The most comparable experience was Sydney during the Olympics, but usually people were spread all over the place. In Madrid, everyone seemed to have congregated in and around Colon. The crowd just kept going. The atmosphere was awesome. We tried to capture it, but cameras, and even film, can never quite do it. We felt privileged to
The street under our apartment during gay pride
The three first floor windows of the building on the left hand side (above the mahou beer sign) are our living room and bedroom windows be a part of it.
We struggled to sleep for the next week as people at all times of the night sang victory tunes in the streets. Just when we thought it had started to calm down, we realised we were heading into the
Madrid gay pride celebration - like the Sydney Mardi Gras. This might not have impacted us much if we weren't living in the Madrid equivalent of Darlinghurst. Think about living about a block from Taylor Square during the last week in February. No chance of sleep whatsoever! Nevertheless, we had a great time as we took the approach of, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em, and spent the week out and about.
We spent a
night at the races (they have night races in Madrid on Thursday nights in July and September), which was very impressive
(it was nice to be able to take Sue and Miguel to their first ever race meeting - especially as it was a nocturna in Madrid which was a first for me too. They left keen for more racing so a couple more converted.) There was a great atmosphere created by southern spanish, "ranch" style buildings creating
Summer Carnival
Sue, Miguel and David soak up the atmosphere huddled under the heater at the races a central, grassed courtyard with bars and lounges. The viewing ring was just as gorgeous. The races start at 10pm (prime time here remember) and go until about 1am. None of the amateurs won
(I did with the help of Mr Rigbsy racing away with the last race by about 8 lengths), but, it was a great night. As we left at about 1am, there was a massive queue of people trying to get in for what appeared to be an after party which would run until about 4am. We would have stayed if the night hadn't been unusually cold. Instead we headed back into town and the throbbing warmth of the crowded Chueca streets.
On the Friday we enjoyed a dinner with Miguel, Sue, Alfredo and his partner Mario before dancing in a square, nearby to our place, with more of their friends. In the centre of the plaza there was a stage set up with a DJ and replete with drag queens and buffed dancers, and the music continued pumping until the early hours on Saturday morning.
The night after, the others went to the big gay pride party, but we, becoming a little more budget
conscious as we go, decided we'd leave them to it. However, we joined them for drinks and cena before they headed off at about 2am for the party (yep, this is when things like that start in Madrid).
On the Sunday, we spent a quiet day on the couch watching Rafael Nadal beat king Roger for the Wimbledon title. It has certainly was a purple patch for Spain (and us!).
Advertisement
Tot: 0.373s; Tpl: 0.021s; cc: 8; qc: 49; dbt: 0.0594s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.2mb