Last night, despite better judgement I decided to go out again for another evening. As with most clubs in Europe, the host music pumped on throughout the evening, and little change in beat or tune transpired. What was funny was the immense cheer and joy when the flashing lights changed their speed or the ultra-pulsating blinding lights flashed more rapidly. Hoes and asses were out and about, and I saw some interesting sights in my little rounds around the dance floor. I saw people doing the coke thing while there, and that turned me right around and going the other way.
It wasn´t actually that interesting, so in respect to my tired out body, I left at an early 3 am to go home and sleep, only to wake at 7:30 am to shower and leave without waking up the rest of the 7 people in my room. I think I did alright, only making a few bumps and clomps, I had packed everything up that I could the night before I went out to keep the rustling minimal.
Before the club, I went to an area that restored some of my faith in the ultra-planned and coordinated city layout of Barcelona, I went to the Parc Güell. The planning of this park is reminiscent of the Jiangnan style gardens that attempt to mimic nature and provide novel views from any of many different vantage points. Of course, the Barcelona was put back into the park with the gaudy Gaudi buildings and structures interspersed throughout. An awesome panoramic view of all of Barcelona waits at the top. As I walked back down, the beat of steady drums by a group of what seemed to be wannabe Bohemians thudded noisily, interrupting everyone´s walk in the park. I passed by them, some Europeans with dreadlocks and dirtied clothes that just sat looking stoned perhaps. I can´t say I´ll really miss Barcelona´s planned layout full of façaded buildings. I can see how it´s interesting for architecture as something new, but I don´t see how it adds much to anything. I guess I just don´t like the showy stuff.
This afternoon I arrived into Madrid, Puerta Atocha. I made my way through the metro to my `hostal´ which is more like a hotel without provided shampoo and stuff. It´s nice to finally have my own room for one night, and the air con blasts beautifully. I was reluctant to leave my room since Madrid is a steamy 34 celsius, that´s in the 90´s I believe. Outside I got ripped off for food when I sat at the outside terrace of a restaurant, a 4€ beer and 6.50€ for a small bocadillo fileld with a meager few slices of Iberian sausage. For those dang prices you could at least slice some tomato or something onto the sandwich :p Actually, the price is the price, but what really took me aback was that the menu had prices listed as bar, table, and terrace, and the terrace was always 1€ more than the bar. Luckily I found a small shop owned by Chinese that sold cheap sandwiches and big bottles of water, one of each was 2€.
Oh yes, I forgot to say that after more than two weeks without chinese food, I broke down in Barcelona and had a lunch of what was probably the worst fried-rice ever that tasted so great. Of course, I followed with a dinner of paella and sangria for 11.50€, one of the better deals I could search out.
Monday seems to be the official day of rest for most of Europe, so everything is closed today in Madrid, so I won´t be doing much exploring this afternoon. I do know that I really like Madrid already though. The chaotic design of the city, randomness around the corners, and a not so touristy feel really make this a nice break from Barcelona. It feels very Spanish here, and I know most people go to Barcelona for the un-Spanish Spain, but I rather like the comfort of a Spanish Spain. I wonder if the heat is what is making everything so empty though, but I read and heard that this is a comparitively tourist empty city.
Tonight I´ll be frequenting the tapas bars that supposedly offer generous tapas with a beer or wine, which only costs about 1.25€. I will definitely have to rest up a little before that, and you´ll be sure to hear what comes of this adventure. Hopefully I can find some bars or clubs open tonight, seems like most of Madrid is asleep for the moment though.
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