the above combo of three pictures is of a cloudy day in (ironically named) puerta del sol - or the door of the sun - which is the times square / tourist trap / pickpocket heaven of madrid.

i came to madrid almost ten years ago with my high school spanish class and experienced the city through 17 year-old on-a-tour-bus eyes. this time, although my level of spanish comprehension is comparable, i feel like i am getting a much richer experience.

last time we stayed at sol, in a ritzy hotel that had bidets - something me and my roomate mike were fascinated with. however, we didn’t, in any way understand the extent of the diversity of the city or it’s many neighborhoods. this time, jess and i have made particular effort to explore the neighborhoods of malesaña, la latina and chueca on the suggestion of my friend natalie. this weekend is supposedly the largest party weekend in all of spain, and i happen to be spending this night in the internet room of our hostel with several other euro-destitutes glued to g-chat and facebook instead of participating in monstrous fiestas.

that didn’t stop jess and i from visiting about 6 different bars eating tapas and drinking for the last several horus.

that’s just how we do in spain.

i always heard that the spanish were severe party-ers, but i had conveniently chosen to deny it. alas, after last night’s debauchery (which i will not go into on this blog), i have learned otherwise.

so tonight i take a break and save up for tomorrow’s festivities.

el dos de mayo (the second of may) is like american independence day or french bastille day - except with more alcohol, public intoxication and many more cigarettes. boundaries between public space and pub space seem to be non existent here, but somehow everyone seems to get along and stay happy and safe.

i have many more pictures to post of various architecture and fascinating things here in madrid (as well as some photos from my escapades in la parc de la tet d’or in lyon), but i will endeavor to post those when the sun is on my side.

until then… aurevoir - adios.