Madrid, Man, and a Whole Lotta Churros

okay, so. madrid. i’m still buzzing, honestly. i just got back and my brain feels like a plate of tapas - scattered, delicious, and slightly overwhelming. i’m a touring session drummer, you see, and sometimes you just need to…escape. escape the relentless click-clack of hi-hats, the pressure of nailing that one tricky fill, the endless hotel rooms that all smell vaguely of disinfectant and regret. madrid felt like the opposite of all that.

I landed, bleary-eyed, and immediately dove headfirst into the chaos. the air…it smelled like roasted chestnuts and something vaguely floral, like someone was aggressively watering a jasmine bush. i just checked and it’s hovering around sixteen degrees celsius right now, feels like fifteen. a bit brisk, but the sun’s doing its best. perfect for wandering, really.

My first mission? Churros. obviously. i found this tiny place near Plaza Mayor - honestly, it was just a hole in the wall, but the smell alone could knock you off your feet. someone told me that the chocolate there is “thick enough to stand a spoon in,” and they weren’t kidding. it was glorious. I’m pretty sure I consumed my body weight in fried dough and melted chocolate. no regrets.

I spent most of my time just…walking. getting lost in the labyrinthine streets, soaking up the atmosphere. the architecture is insane - all ornate balconies and crumbling facades. it’s like stepping back in time, but with scooters whizzing past and the faint thrum of electronic music bleeding out from hidden bars.

I stumbled upon El Retiro Park, which was a welcome oasis of calm. I sat by the lake, watching the rowboats and trying to remember the names of all the drum fills i’d learned. it was…peaceful. a rare commodity for someone who spends most of their life in a tour bus.

Speaking of calm, i overheard some drunk guy at a bar rambling about how the Prado Museum is “overrated” and you should just wander around Lavapiés instead. he seemed pretty adamant about it. Lavapiés is a melting pot of cultures, apparently, with incredible food and a really vibrant street art scene. I checked it out and he was right. It’s a total vibe. You can find some amazing deals on vintage clothes there too, according to a local I chatted with. Check out this guide to vintage shopping in Madrid: https://www.spotahome.com/blog/vintage-shopping-in-madrid/.

If you get bored, Toledo and Segovia are just a short drive away. I didn’t make it this time, but i’m already planning a return trip.

*pro-tip: learn a few basic spanish phrases. it goes a long way. and be prepared to eat a lot. seriously. a lot.

another pro-tip: don’t be afraid to get lost. that’s where the real magic happens.

and one more:* check out TripAdvisor for some hidden gems. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g187514-Madrid-Vacations.html

I also found this Yelp page with some great restaurant recommendations: https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=restaurants&find_loc=Madrid%2C+Madrid%2C+Spain.

Honestly, madrid just…got to me. it’s chaotic, it’s loud, it’s a little bit rough around the edges, but it’s also incredibly beautiful and full of life. i’m already counting down the days until i can go back.

Oh! and something a local warned me about: watch out for pickpockets around Sol. Apparently, it’s a hot spot.

For more info on things to do, check out this local forum: https://www.expat.com/forum/madrid-11/.