Day Two: Madrid

Today was a lot to take in, but in a different way than yesterday. I ended up leaving the house later than expected. I went straight to el Estadio de Santiago Bernabeu, the stadium where Real Madrid plays. I spent five hours there, and I still felt like it wasn't enough time! There was so much to see, in terms of players, franchise histories, stadium transitions, name changes, etc. They've also created a Ciudad de Real Madrid (City of Real Madrid), which operates as a kind of camp, allowing for young professionals to meet one another and get a taste of the game / team.

There were two tour options - one with a guide and one "sin guia." I chose the latter and explored the stadium at my own leisure (with others who had elected this option). We were allowed into the locker rooms, presidential suites, press room, "dugout," onto the pitch, etc. I don't follow Real Madrid much, but, after today, I think they have become one of my favorite teams. I watched an hour's worth of highlights and fell in love with Casillas and all over again. Spain is so passionate about its sports and related teams, especially in the world of futbol. There wasn't even a game being played, and I felt overcome by national pride! I'm not even a Madrileña! Ay, ay, ay.

What was interesting about being in the stadium was that most of the other people there were also foreigners, but almost none of them spoke Spanish. This is completely opposite to my other experiences in the city, where everyone has initiated a conversation with me in Spanish (vice versa). The only group of people who were obviously local was a group of about 35 children and 3 coaches. They were all in Real Madrid jerseys. It looked like a field trip. When we got to the player's tunnel, watching them jog into the locker rooms pretending to be Ronaldo or Pepe was awesome. Viva Mini Real!

The thing I love most about not being in North America is that everyone's life is centered around futbol. I was walking to the metro this morning and passed by cafes where every screen was showing highlights, interviews, or predictions. Nothing else. Definitely not something I would see in the US for any Copa Mundial (World Cup). The metro station closest to the stadium is called Santiago Bernabeu. Every single possible advertisement spot in the station has been occupied by something soccer-oriented. I took a picture of each of them (primarily because I know you'll drool when you see them, Neenz, as they all involve jugadores de Real Madrid y España).

When I left, I stopped by a fruteria (fruit store) to pick up uvas (grapes) to munch on as I headed home. It's getting dark early today because of the rain and I didn't want to be stuck in a getting-lost-on-the-way-home situation like yesterday. In España, or at least in Madrid, customers do not touch the fruits themselves. Someone in the store has to put your "order" together once you tell him how much / many of what fruits you want. The nice thing about these fruterias is that I have yet to see a large, big-brand, all-corporate-style convenient store anywhere in the city (and I've done my share of wandering!).

I walked down the street to Principe Pio, one of the largest shopping malls in the city and then to Palacio Royal to check out where the royal family lives. Fancy business. They had closed for the day so I admired from outside. Maybe I'll go back tomorrow, although I have a feeling it can't be too different from other royal palaces?

When I got onto the metro on my way back home, I sat on the edge of a row. Next to me, on the floor of the metro car, were three "young people" seated on the ground, laughing. One was from Argentina, one from Ecuador, and the last from Madrid. They were stereotyping Latinos in Spanish. It was entertaining. I don't understand why Mexico is at the bottom of the food chain, no matter whose measuring stick you use. "No se porque .. pero huelan mal los Mejicanos," meaning, "I don't know why .. but they smell bad, those Mexicans." It was a joke and I chuckled, but they always say that behind every joke there is a grain of truth. I hope someone proves that saying false soon. I don't think Mexicans smell bad .. .. .. haha.

There are two other things I've noticed about the metro. One, if you get onto the metro and have been standing for at least three stops, even if a seat opens up after that, you won't sit on it because you've become too comfortable. The second thing I noticed was that people write books in Spanish!! I don't know why this fascinated me so much as it should be obvious - of course every country has its own literary industry! I've been sneaking peeks at people's books and jotting down titles for when I come home (or the day I finally have some time to sit down and read for leisure).

Okay, this is all for now. Lakhshman is here cooking and I've been using his computer to type this up. I hope these posts aren't too long or uninteresting (I believe the latter is worse). Let me know if they are, though!

PS. Word of the day? "Guarreria." When you call something "una guarreria," you're calling it an absolute disaster / mess. According to Lakhshan, it's unique to España.