Kate+Diary+Entries

Today I am going to visit the **Museo del Prado** which is located in an 18th building designed by Juan de Villanueva, the Prado is considered one of the most important art galleries in the world. Art is something ive always been passionate about, so this seemed like an ideal choice. It houses works from Velázquez, Goya, El Greco, Zurbarán, Ribera, Titian, Raphael, Botticelli, Fra Angélico, Rubens, Bosch, Van der Weyden, Poussin, Lorrain, Watteau, Rembrandt, Dürer and Mengs, among others. Before i leave my hotel, i take my map with me, as well as my spanish to english dictionary. I get my first set of directions from the concierge of the hotel, i take time to say hello to him in spanish and ask him how he is, although he can speak english. I feel he really appreciates my effort towards their language. By bringing the map with me, he is able to show me visually as well as telling me where to go, limiting my chances of getting lost.
 * Entry 1**

After my visit to the art gallery, i decided to go out for dinner before hitting the night scene. Madrid is a late city, with lots of the resturaunts not opening till about 9pm. I decided just to walk around the streets and decide on a place to eat when i see it, however i already have a few meals in mine, the well known Callos, Cocido Madrileño and rosquillas de anís. Restuarants ive found arent to difficult if you cannot speak Spanish fluently. I find you can just point to the meal you want to the waiter, while this seems rude, by attempting to say hello how are you, thanks for the meal etc in spanish, they go out of their way to help you get the best experiance of their restuaraunt.
 * Entry 2**

After dinner i head to the bars in the districts of Arguelles and Moncloa as they are generally frequented by University students and a younger crowd. Most of the bars and clubs here are open to the early hours of the morning. Theres also more english speaking people crowd, which makes it easier talking to people. I still pack my map and dictionary in my bag just incase of an emergency. I learn the basic drink names in spanish, to avoid confusion with the bartenders. There'd be nothing worse then attempting to speak spanish with the music so loud the bartender cannot understand. Once again the Concierge at the hotel assisted me with directions to this area, as well as giving me some local advice of which are the best bars, the ones with lots of english tourists and the ones which i should stay away from.
 * Entry 3**

Ive been in Madrid for over a week now, i dont feel so rushed to try fit in everything, so much so i am planning on spending the day playing Golf. Madrid golf courses are some of the best in the world. As usual, before i leave i grab my Map of Madrid and my English to Spanish dictionary. Although I now can remember basic phrases, such as hello how are you, bye and thank you. The course i am going to is the Real Club de Puerta de Hierro a 36-hole course located 4 kilometers from Madrid. It gives me a chance, on my trip out of the city, to appreciate the beauty of Spain and Madrid. Most places visited, usually have english information as well as spanish. I usually write down some common phrases i may say at the particular place i am visiting. Like today i have simple things like "how much is it to play nine or eighteen holes?" and that i will need to "hire left handed clubs".
 * Entry 4**

Its my last few days here in Madrid, and im celebrating my time here by attending the Fiestas del 2 de Mayo, a festival of the Community of Madrid, celebrations include a wide variety of concerts, open-air dancing and sporting events. Bullfights are also held.On the first night, it finished with a spectacular fireworks display, in the Jardines de las Vistillas. On the second day, there is a military display, which one of the locals happily explained to me, commemorates the victory of Madrid over the invasion of Napoleons troupes, as the event is a remembrance of their defeat over Napoleon's invasion in the 1800s. All the locals where lovely to me, throughout this festival, many taking their time with me while i looked through my dictionary for words i didnt know yet.
 * Entry 5**

Misunderstanding :** at a resturaunt in madrid, the waiter kept topping up the travellers drinks and bringing more food out to them and the meal ended up costing 50euros more then they expected, as they were unaware that the extra food and drink were being charged to their account.
 * Cultural Experiances
 * Theives:** as it is a large city, mugging is common. one traveller lost her mobile phone as a result of this and had to be at a police station for 3 hrs.