Okay, maybe "just" a little over the top. This should probably be the "I dislike Madrid and will never be back" trip report. Maybe not even quite a report, as there isn't much to "report".

I hopped over from Paris for a short weekend. Traveling by myself. Stayed right in the center of Madrid, next to Plaza de España.

Let me get to the good things first so (hopefully) people don't jump on me for being ?"so negative" (as seen happened to other posters):

-The metro was so clean and efficient! Very impressed that it goes direct into the airport. Cheaper than other European cities (e.g., London, Paris) too.

-ATMs are everywhere on streets.

-Cheap internet (that I'm using now): 6 hrs for 3 euros.

-Nice weather at this time of the year.

The bad things, or rather what I didn't like:

-Prado Museum: some travellers I've met and guidebooks regarded this museum as the best in Europe. Hello?! Have they never seen the Louvre?! I didn't enjoy too much of the religious Italian and Spanish art. Admission is cheap at 3 euros though.

-Reina Sofia Museum: enjoyed some of Miro's and Picasso's art. The "Guernica" was interesting. The rest of the Museum was not appealing to me.

-Being scammed: I wanted to have Paella but several restaurants turned me away stating they only serve Paella to a minimum of 2 people. Finally I found a place behind Gran Via that would serve to just 1 person. Seafood Paella was 13,95 euros - that's fine because I wanted to try it and I knew beforehand and agreed to the price.

I didn't want or order any appetizers, but they brought me a little basket of dry breadsticks. I thought "how nice". NOT!! Later I was billed 1 euro for it.

Next they asked me what I wanted to drink. Early in the day I had lunch at a tapas bar and had coke (tiny little bottle) for 0,90 euro. Beverage was not listed on the menu so I just ordered another coke, thinking how much could it be. BIG MISTAKE!! I feel and still feel stupid for not asking the price. I was later billed -- 3,65 euros for that tiny coke!!! I don't know why I was in a hurry to leave the restaurant (to logon to aim my boyfriend or something), and didn't ask about the price!

Later in the night, the more I think about it I realized I was scammed. Truly a hideous act, ruined my already so-so visit. Later I asked the hotel staff about this and he's like, it's an AMERICAN TAX!!! He was half joking of course. I was speaking Spanish (I've lived in South America before) but I guess I still showed that I was an American tourist. To make me feel better (supposedly), he told me that four American tourists were scammed even more for paying their taxi fare of -- 100 euros! from the airport. WHAT?! It was 1 euro for me on the metro! Still, I just hate being scammed because I thought I was smarter than, "that". And this just horribly worsened my impression of Spanish speaking people -- hear me out before calling me a racist -- I've dealt with countless dishonest vendors in South America, have had my credit card number stolen for simply using it exactly once in a Miami cuban restaurant and got charged up $3,000 dollars, and now this. Yes, it is ONLY 3 euros, but it's the principle of it. Never been scammed traveling in other European cities.

-Being robbed: walking from Plaza Mayor to Puerta del Sol, I had a backpack and a separate small plastic bag (for easy access) with my cold medicine and lots of tissue papers. In broad daylight three young men traveled in a group walked by me (but this is very crowded) and one bumped into me. They kept walking and made a turn just as I noticed one of the guy had a plastic bag in hand and when I looked my bag was gone. I was about to scream but then I thought what was I going to tell the police: please help get my tissues and Tylenol cold pills?! I was going to the Palace Real but was hungry and no place was open - yes I expected this - at 11am, and this incident didn't help me feel better. Luckily the restaurant the I always loathed - McDonalds - is open and I drowned myself in chicken nuggets. I've seen the outside of the Palace and at this point just lost my interest to go in. So I returned to the hotel and logged on for a few hours before my flight out to Amsterdam.

This turned out to be a rant, apologies to those who had to hear my sufferings here. I just had to vent. I don't know what I was thinking booking a trip to Madrid(just wanted to see the world), when I didn't really have anything to see here.

By the way, I was still pissed off about being scammed last night, so I walked by the restaurant to give them a piece of my thought (a little late I know), but of course they're closed. Here are the restaurant info so no one visiting this forum should ever be scammed by them like I did:

"El Serete Restaurante-Arroceria"
Behind Gran Via, on Calle de Leganitos, also cornering Calle de la Flor Baja. Big yellow sign out front.

(And I shouldn't ever eat in a restaurant with only 1 table occupied.)

This one takes the cake as The Most Pitiful Trip Report Ever Posted in the Fodor's Forums. You outta be proud, CT. What you shouldn't be proud of, however, is showing very poor travel research skills; Prado Art Collection, Paella specialty, breadsticks on the table, price of Coke soda... those are all well known, broadly published travel facts known for ages (?). Sorry you were "scammed" out of 5 Euros. Maybe next time you'll spring for that guidebook. Well, maybe not totally unexpected from somebody who would lumped all "Spanish-Speaking people" as a dishonest bunch and who desist on going into the Royal Palace because "I've seen the ouside". YIKES. Thanks for the laughs. Happy travels next time.

I hope this is a fictional tale that was put on this thread just to provoke some angry responses.
If not, perhaps you should travel vicariously via Rick Steves' tapes. Or perhaps you should 'ctheworld' with a more open mind.

Chatters, it's judgmental travel-snobs like you who gives people a pause about posting in this forum.

Who said anything about not researching, and who said anything about not having guide books. I have the 2004 guidebook from Lonely Planet. I'd like to see you list the "facts" about which guidebook would tell you about the scams. I know about what art is displayed in each museums, what does that have to do with anything? "Well-known travel facts" -laugh- sorry I am still an open-minded youngster who haven't been around ages like you are. Glad my post was funny. AND a reply from an apathetic person like you makes my trip even better!

we traveled in spain and portugal and enjoyed it immensely. to let the fact that you were overcharged for a soda ruin your trip seems a bit petty.

Oh please, which part of my post just screams "I need to open my mind"?! If I didn't I wouldn't even be in Madrid in the first place and subject myself to criticism from strangers. Forget it, why do I waste my breath/typing on judgmental hypocrites.

"horribly worsened my impression of Spanish-speaking people" just screams of tolerance and open-mindedness.

I didn't write this to win the Best Trip Report. It is about what I observed on my trip, what I experienced. It is laughable that if it is different or not all "I worship this place that I traveled to" then it's deemed "laughable".

martytravels - what is wrong with that phrase? Be PC about it, whatever you like, but it is MY impression.
I live in San Diego with lots of Spanish-speaking people. I've lived in South America for 5 years. If I wasn't being openminded I would've moved and shun all Spanish-speaking countries to begin with. My impression came from somewhere, people I've dealt with.

Anyway, I shouldn't have to explain myself but then again we are all strangers so maybe I do. There are much useful info here, but I'm so sick of many holier-than-thou posters and travel-snobbery on this forum. (And no, I'm not judging based on this one post here - I've lurked here for awhile and took the plunge to post. AND LOOK!) So this will be my last post here. Ásk others to do what you do yourself, be more tolerant and open-minded. This is not directed just to you.

ctheworld, at the moment you are not having a good time, mainly because you are tired from having to be vigilant all the time about your budget and about being robbed. Suggestion: spring for a drink in an upscale hotel bar - pay what is necessary not for the drink, but for the ambiance and feeling of security till you recharge your batteries. It will be a good investment.

Next, console yourself that you did get something for your money at that restaurant.Information and education as a rule can be expensive. In this case, you learned that if you fail to articulate your assumptions and verify your facts ("how much is the coke&quot it can be an expensive undertaking. Trust me that this lesson will serve you as well back home as in Spain, you just haven't run into a used car vendor (or buyer) yet. If you learn it now, you will reap the rewards many times over in transactions that involve a good deal more money than 3 or 4 euro.

You've learned that art is a complex subject and very subjective. Give yourself the luxury of knowing that you don't have to like what the critics praise. You went to find out for yourself, good for you.

Not every valuable travel experience is an emotional high. Now, go and have that drink.

You got off lucky !
I had my trusty Canon SLR and 8 rolls of precious shots of the Semana Santa processions in 3 cities ripped off in a small restaurant in the same area of Madrid on EASTER SUNDAY MORNING.
Interestingly, I am convinced they were from South America, not locals. The cops could have cared less.
I agree about the Prado.There are 3 better art museums in Florence alone.

Now, here's a situation where an original poster would probably come off better if she admitted she was a troll!

Hi CT,

Fortunately, you only lost 5E and some cold medicine which is easily replaced.

Follow Sue's advice.

Get a copy of "Innocent's Abroad" and have a good laugh at how Americans have always been easy game.

I just comment two thing. 1) Paella. It is usually prepared for minimum two persons. You were lucky to find a place where they did it for one. 2) Bread sticks. They are supposed to be dry. And they bring them to the table in more countries than just Spain. And yes, you will be charged, just like in most places you pay for the bread that is brought to the table.

Website for Museo del Prado: http://museoprado.mcu.es/ihome.html This website, in place since 1996, provides detailed info on every single collection in the Museo Del Prado. I used it three months prior to my May visit to mapped the collections I wanted to see. I am sure this is common procedure.

BTW, it is actually a relief to be called "travel-snob" by you CT.........

We weren't that impressed with the Prado, either. Found other art museums (in NY and Paris) to appeal more to our art interest.

CTW, it sounds like you and Madrid simply didn't click, which magnified all the negative experiences you had. Some places are like that for some people--I didn't click with Hamburg, Germany. The people in Madrid have my support for their struggle with terrorism, but I have no plans to visit there (or anywhere in Spain); just not my cup of tea.
I would take Sue's advice about having a nice, long drink someplace luxurious. While you relax, write off all the bad stuff under the heading "sh*t happens", then start planning your next visit somewhere more in keeping with your preferences!

Chatters - you make a liar out of me and I'm posting again. My last - really. I mean, I'd hate to give you any kind of "relief" -- I didn't want to presume like you do but from your second post I think you're just a snob, not limited to just travel! And if you can read at all I asked for "guidebooks" with all the "well-known" scam facts. You don't need to post any URLs, I could probably give you a lesson working as an engineer who've surfed the web for longer than you have. And no, not everyone's so paranoid or have so much leisure time like you do. I had reservations about El Prado when I read about it, but I like to experience it for myself, not just READ.

Darn, I hate giving snobs of any kind any good feelings!

elina - yes, I know that paella's served for two people and was stating my experience. "Dry" breadsticks are what they were, I didn't know if there was a name and didn't say that I didn't like them. I didn't expect to get charged because I had said I wanted nothing but paella. And everywhere else in Europe, they DIDN'T charge me for the bread. It's always free in the U.S.!

Sue_xx_yy - I'm vigilant about the budget? If that's what you think. If that means that I value my money, sure. There are so many posts here asking about prices and stuff. I just post prices so they may be helpful to travelers interested in knowing when they plan. Again, it's not about the measly few euros, but about being scammed. And again, I didn't expect the tiny coke to be 3,65 euros (I would expect a coke in nightclubs or bars to be close to $5 dollars) in a restaurant when I just had it with lunch for less than 1 euro.

Yes, it's a lesson. Just as is posting here, which I've learn not to if I don't want to hear from snobs with whom I definately would not want to associate with in person.

Oh, HowardR - it takes one to know one.

Absolutely the last you'll hear from me.

(Abso - f???ing - lutely sick of being around snobby strangers.)

ctheworld -- I'm certain you aren't a troll! You are well within your rights to post your distressing adventures. Kudos to you, however for making this quick trip on your own, even if it didn't turn out as you had hoped. My daughter did not enjoy Madrid, either. She was there last year over "President's Day" for about 5 days (she's a teacher). She thinks it might have been a better trip at a warmer time of the year. Winter gets EVERYONE down a bit, all it takes is one bad experience to turn you -- the second one can really get to you... especially if you are traveling on your own. Mark it up to experience. Maybe 10 or 20 years from now, you'll have a better experience should you decide to go back. (Assume you'll be traveling on a bigger budget by then...that can help, too!)

Sorry, I don't mean to lie.

Just, one last post, really (I can't stay away!).

There are really some nice people here with nice suggestions. Thank you for that and I'm sure you all have a nice life.

I will walk it off and get a drink and relax. I get over it easily. Yes, sorry to say I've been expressing under pissy mood. I get over it and will never stop traveling.

I don't like judgmental snobs and mean people - and there are quite a few on this board - so I will not subject myself to interacting with you by posting.

***Account deleted.***