Lissette

Hello,<BR> I'm currently doing my junior year abroad in Madrid (though I'm doing winter break in the states until January 12th). I've been in Madrid since September and will be there until late May. Since the forum was quite helpful before I came to Madrid, I'm completely up for being just as helpful ( or as much as I can be). Does anyone have any questions, about the city, about studying here, nightlife, whatever?<BR> Lissette

Stephen

Hi Lissete,<BR><BR>I will be visiting Madrid next month.... How is the nightlife and the culture? <BR><BR>Steven

Lissette

Hi Stephen,<BR> As far as the nightlife goes, depends on what you're looking for. The area called "Malasana y Conde Duque" around the metro stop called Bilbao is full of chill bars, pubs and cafes that on some nights have live performances. A couple of my favorites in the area are Cafe de La Palma (on calle de la palma, has performances), Cafe Mendocino (Calle Limon, I think), El Jardin Secreto (Calle Conde Duque, I think), Pobre Gaspar (calle de la palma), Molly Malones (a pub on calle San Andres), La Ida (calle Colon) y most of the bars around plaza dos de Mayo. Chueca also has a lot of bars, one of my favorites being Libertad 8 (calle de la Libertad); it has performances some nights of the week. The areas of Huertas (around the Puerta del Sol)and Alonso Martinez (Metro : Alonso Martinez) are full of usually tacky "bar de copas" that play Spanish pop, hip - hop, house, and mostly anything else that can be danced to. Huertas is more touristy, while Alonso Martinez is full of high schoolers and college students (by 1:30 am, when the metro closes, the highschoolers for the most part go home). For people in their 30s La Avenida de Brasil is supposed to be full of cool bars (Metro: Santiago Bernabeu) but I've never gone and don't know about it personally. In any of these areas the streets are full of people on weekend nights, either drinking or going to a bar or club.<BR> Some clubs that are worth going to at least once are Kapital (though the doormen can be truly obnoxious for no particular reason), Palacio de Gaviria, Velada (hip hop), Azucar (merengue and salsa; have never gone but hear it's nice), and basically anything around Alonso Martinez. Clubs don't really begin to get full until about 2 am. TimeOut Madrid has a nice section on Nightlife.<BR> When you ask about culture, are you asking about what the people are like, or as far as museums, concerts, etc. go? <BR> Hope I've been of some help,<BR> Lissette

chuck

hi lisette-dont know if you can help with this-but i have to drive from barajas airport to the village of guadarrama . can you give me any driving directions and pretend you are dealing with an idiot---gracias

Lissette

Hi Chuck,<BR> Sorry, I really don't know how to get there. I imagine that once you rent the car you might be able to ask the people who work there ... either way, I know that Guadarrama isn't far at all.<BR> Lissette

gracie

Hi Lisette, my question to you is..<BR>I'm planning on going to live and work in Spain next year. I have the EU passport so getting a legal job is not a problem and I speak several languages (so that's not a problem either). What I want to know is how are Madrile&ntilde;os towards immigrants from other countries? I've been told they can be quite hostile and racist and that I should try out Barcelona where people are friendlier towards foreigners..any comments?? Thanks, Gracie

Lissette

Hi Gracie,<BR> Well, first of all, I'm Dominican - American (born and raised in L.A.), and so I not only do I have a notable dominican accent when I speak Spanish, I very much look it (mixed, dark - skinned), so I don't exactly blend in with the majority of the population.<BR>I've never been in any situation in Spain where anyone has been rude to me, or I've felt uncomfortable; on the contrary, they've been quite courteous, though I have heard some rather ignorant comments about Latin America in general, but nothing racist. The most offensive comments I've heard have been toward the moroccan immigrants and gypsies. Other than that, I've actually been quite surprised at how diverse Madrid is as far as its immigrants go. One thing I've noted is that the spaniards in Madrid tend to mix more with the immigrants than what I saw when I was in Barcelona. I may be mistaken, but when I was there 2 years ago and spent 6 weeks there, I specifically remember turning a corner and coming upon an area that was obviously a Dominican area, an Indian area, etc. In Madrid you'll see this, but less markedly, with more areas falling more in to the categories of working class, middle class, an immigrant area in general, etc., rather than specifically Ecuadorian, Cuban, Moroccan, what have you. <BR> Hope you end up coming to Spain,<BR> Lissette<BR>

Nedda

Hi Lissette, <BR>I am going to be studying in Madrid at Saint Louis Univ. for spring semester. I need to find a hotel nearby my school (or at least in the University area) for a few days until I find an apartment. Can you recommend any hotels, and also any apartment finding tips. My hotel budget is cheap to moderate.<BR>thanks<BR>Nedda

Lissette

Hi Nedda,<BR> In what area is St. Louis University?<BR>I have a friend who's looking for an apartment in Madrid right now through an agency (I don't know the name of it), so that seems to be one option, other than looking at a newspaper and being on the lookout for apartment ads at your school.<BR> Good luck,<BR> Lissette

Karen

Lissette,<BR>My husband and I will be spending a few days in Madrid in April then driving south. I will be arriving by train from Sevilla and he will be arriving by plane at Barajas. My plan was to arrive first and meet his plane, then rent a car at the airport. What is the easiest way to travel from the city (train station) to the airport? Thanks, Karen

Lissette

Hello Karen, <BR> I honestly don´t know what´s the best road to take, from the train station (which I imagine will be Atocha, in the southern part of Madrid) to the airport (which is to the north of Madrid). I´ve never driven a car in Madrid, so I don´t have the slightest idea. The best way I could help you is by telling you to go to the Madridman.com sight, which might have info, or even to Mapquest.com, which I know isn´t just restricted to the U.S. (though it might not be all that reliable at times.<BR> sincerely,<BR> Lissette

olga

Lissette,<BR><BR>It depends on wether you are going to the Hotel first or not. If you have time to spare, i recomend you drop your luggage there, and take the subway that<BR>takes you directly to the airport terminal. It´s a 20 minute ride or so, <BR>depending on the location of your hotel,but it is a very easy system to <BR>negotiate. (You can study your subway connections on the train, if you print them out of any Madrid information page). You never have to wait more than 5 minutes for any metro.<BR> <BR>Another option is the airport bus, which leaves from the Plaza de Col&oacute;n underground bus station. ( A little longer ride, a little less frequent)<BR><BR>If you are shooting straight from the station with your luggage, or you don´t want to take chances timewise, just get a taxi at the train station, you´ll be there in 20 minutes and it will cost about $16 .<BR><BR>Olga <BR>Seville

olga

Sorry, I meant karen, not Lissette !

Jose

Hi chuck :<BR>Sorry for my delay responsing you, but hope this still helps.<BR><BR>From Barajas to Guadarrama by car:<BR>1.- Take the A-10 highway from the airport.<BR>2.- About 5 Km far you will take M-40 in north direction (Burgos -NI-, A Coru&ntilde;a -NV.<BR>3.-Drive through M-40 for about 15 Km a take the N-VI to Villalba (A Coru&ntilde;a).<BR>4.-Stay in N-VI for about 30 Km. You will pass Villalba, and the roadway will loose then one on its three lines.<BR>5.- 1 or 2 Km farther than Villalba you will see the exit to Guadarrama wich is on the way (10 Km) on the new road (this road will be the only one that is not a highway).<BR>You will spent about 1 hour of your time if everything goes all right.<BR><BR>Hope this helps.

Gretchen

Hey there,<BR>My husband and I(age 31&28)will be in Madrid June 28-July12.We'll travel to Toledo, Catille, Sevilla and Marbella. We are up for anything. Any suggestions on good hostiles, restaurants, pubs, sights, nightlife? Would you rent a car to travel these sights? Thanks G

harriet

Hi. I will be in Madrid in March with two 16-year old girls. Do you have any suggestions about what would be especially interesting them? Also, they dance and want to take a few flamenco lessons. Do you know any places or how I might find a school before our trip?

Jose

Hi again:<BR><BR>Some years ago flamenco was very fashionable, but today is not so. But sure there are still some academies for taken classes, but sorry, I actually do not know anyone in Madrid.<BR><BR>Things to do for your teenager. What a difficult question! It deppends. What do they like? Partying, culture, sports...<BR><BR>For a good party I highly recomend a pub called Speak Easy, near Santa Barbara Sq., wich is full of foreign students (metro Alonso Martinez). Also, this zone is full of pubs: Autores, Imagenes... (but let them go on their own <BR><BR>Culture: Palacio Real, Museo del Prado (and Reina Sofia...) Teatro Real (if you get tickets)...<BR><BR>Sports: Real Madrid is the king in this city, but also is colorfull Atletico de Madrid Stadium (2nd division, not the first till next season).<BR><BR>Nature: Zoo (in Casa de Campo, metro Batan, but do not walk far from the entrance because of prostitutes...), Jardin Botanico (beside Prado Museum and Retiro Par), and if you are taken day trips, in Segovia do go to La Granja -wonderfull palace and forrest.<BR><BR>About renting cars. Driving to the cities posted from Madrid is very easy by highway (beware of some spanish drivers, they go much faster than in the States, never taking care of speed limit), and you will do whatever you want, and not whatever wants your train/bus/plane departure. Avoid the car inside in Madrid, traffic is a nightmare, and parking...<BR><BR>Hope you'll enjoy.

Lissette

Hello, <BR> I haven´t been checking this post for awhile, so I´ll just add what I can to Jos&eacute;´s solid suggestions.<BR> Gretchen: For nightlife, my favorite area is Malasa&ntilde;a by far. Since you´ll be here for awhile, I would do the touristy area around Sol to see how it is (and the throngs of people on the streets at 2 am), and other areas like calle Serrano (which doesn´t have many bars but has a completely different vibe), but as far as chill cafes and bars go, Malasa&ntilde;a is great. In my reply to Steven I go into more detail. On Serrano there´s a club called "Serrano 41" (or it might be "Serrano 40") that´s quite nice, though a bit snobby due to the area.<BR>Restaurants: If you´re a vegetarian (and even if you´re not) I recommend El Estrag&oacute;n (on plaza de la paja), and La Isla del Tesoro (Manuela Malasa&ntilde;a). They´re both reasonable and very good. La Finca de Susana (calle Arlab&aacute;n) is downright cheap for the food it serves (about 5 - 7 dollars for a nice meal). Sanabresa (calle amor de dios) is really cheap (but always full). For tapas, I recommend "El Ma&ntilde;o" (calle la palma). Very good and cheap. Most of the restaurants I´ve eaten at have been cafeterias with cheap set menus and places that have been recommended by friends and guides. Sadly, since I am a student, I haven´t been to many . If I come upon a new one that I like I´ll definitely mention it in this post. Here´s a tip: I would do the set lunch menu whenever you have the chance to do so. It´s quite cheap (cheaper than the set menu at dinner time) and includes a first plate to start, the main dish, and dessert.<BR>Sights: Madrid has a bunch. For me, it´s a question of what area to walk / wander around rather than one set place, statue, what have you. El Retiro is quite nice, as is Plaza de Oriente, Plaza Mayor, Gran V&iacute;a, La Castellana, Puerta del Sol, Plaza de Espa&ntilde;a, areas like Malasa&ntilde;a, Lavapi&eacute;s, Chueca, Salamanca (around the street named Serrano), Parque del Oeste. I´m sure there are things I´m forgetting.<BR>Harriet - Personally, I prefer "Milenio" to "Speakeasy" (they´re in the same area). What´s great about the area of Alonso Mart&iacute;nez / Chueca is that there´re a bunch of places to choose from (and if you´re a woman most don´t charge cover, if they charge at all), so, if you get sick of one place you can leave and go to another. For finding flamenco classes on the web, I would try looking at madrid.lanetro.com, which might have info (it´s in spanish, though). <BR> Lissette

Michelle

Dear Lissette,<BR><BR>How nice of you to spend your time answering questions on this message board. I will be in Spain with about 5 other people late Feb/Early March. Please help me with the following questions: What is the best way for us to get around while we are traveling? or should we just do sightseeing tours? Some in the group would like to do a day trip to Paris, I dont think it would be a good idea, have you ever taken the train from Madrid to Paris? What is a nice, not to expensive place to catch flamenco dancing and a meal? Is there a bar/restaurant that American tourists/students frequent? I am college age as well and would appreciate your comments. Thanks

rolo

Hey Lisette --<BR>Do you have any advice about hotels in Madrid? I'm going to Madrid in mid-March and I'm actually holding three reservations -- Carlos V and Euromadrid near Sol, and Hotel Alexandra on San Bernardo. I really don't need anything fancy, just a place to hang my clothes, shower in my own bathroom, clean, and cheap. I'd rather spend my money on doing and buying things than splurging on a hotel room. Any thoughts on either the locations or even the hotels themselves?