It’s been a couple of weeks since I first arrived in Madrid. I’m having an excellent time at Academia Contacto, learning Spanish, and lots of new things in a short space of time and having the opportunity to meet like-minded open and interesting people from all over the world. It truly is an enriching experience. That said, adapting to the Spanish ways can take time, can be surprising, exhausting and sometimes highly amusing! Culture shock at times is most definitely a reality but it is a necessary part of life to grow as a person and experience the world first-hand.
Studying here at Academia Contacto and living in Spain for a period of time is a great way to put those good ol’ Spanish stereotypes to the test and see and judge for yourself the reality of living in a country that offers so much cultural enrichment to its citizens and foreign visitors alike, as well as displaying some curious peculiarities that will put a smile on your face.
Climate
¡Madre Mia! I thought it appropriate to start with el clima español first and foremost as it is the thing that is most likely to capture your attention as you are stepping off that plane and are greeted by a thump of hot air with great force. What is this foreign concept I hear you ask? It has to be said that as a twenty-something from Manchester, I wasn’t best prepared for el verano in Madrid. That is to say, that I needed some time to get used to and acostumbrarme to this ever-so foreign concept of heat ;) … Basking in forty degrees is as foreign to me as eating dinner at 10pm. That said, there are many positives about the Spanish climate, indeed it’s a major factor for tourism in the whole peninsular, year in, year out.
Everyone is in the same boat, meaning the city is well prepared for the heatwaves. Summer in Spain allows you to bronze and bask in some summer sun. So catch those rays! You can buy a ventilator cheaply from all supermarkets to ensure a decent night’s sleep. Even in the capital which clearly has no coast, there are nonetheless an abundance of options to enjoy the summer sun without feeling like you are missing out! There are a variety of public swimming pools at a really cheap price, one located very close to Academia Contacto. After finishing class at the school you can head on down to relax and refresh. If you can’t reach the sea, Madrid will indeed bring la costa to you. Summer temperatures are also a great excuse to go for a bebida or two with your classmates after you finish at Academia Contacto for the day. There are a number of terrazas across the city, allowing you to bask in the sun if you so wish or take some shade if you prefer, all whilst enjoying a Spanish beverage or two (or six). Life is more than numbers...
Lifestyle
La vida in Madrid is something special! In this sense, the atmosphere totally lives up to the stereotype. In summer, Madrid is alive with people, festivals, music, dance and an essence for living. In September, there will be a music festival, DCode, in Madrid’s esteemed Complutense, with Franz Ferdinand headlining and guest appearances including Liam Gallagher. There is no better place to be than right in the heart of the city, making the most of the spectacular nightlife. Be sure to check out the blog post on Madrid´s famous night scene ,to be in-the-know about the best places to go. If a big night out doesn’t float your boat, do not worry! The long daylight hours and summer sun make Madrid the perfect place to have a drink or two with friends in a chilled and relaxed environment. It’s interesting to see groups of friends chatting until the early hours of the morning which simply doesn’t happen with the same frequency back home. In essence, Madrid offers you a welcoming and sociable scene where you can really make the most of your free time in any way you see fit. It seems like here in Spain, it’s possible to get the most out of your day and really make good use of your time, sometimes until the early hours of the morning…
Food
Spain has an international reputation for culinary excellence and it is safe to say that it doesn’t disappoint. The eating times in Madrid at first seemed very alien to me but with time I’m adjusting poco a poco to a more Spanish routine of eating later and making the cena a key part of my day. I’ve always had the issue back home of having to result to buying fresh food and veg that costs an arm and a leg. During my time in Madrid, I’ve been happy to discover that it’s much cheaper and easier to find a wide variety of excellent food in supermarkets. There is no excuse to not eat well here and make the most of the Spanish cuisine! ;) Some of my favorite dishes specifically from the Madrid region that I would highly recommend are Cocido Madrileño, which is a vegetable and beef stew, the cheap and cheerful Bocadillo de Calamares, which is a fried squid sandwich and if you have a particularly sweet tooth, opt for a Torrija. This is a delicious fried bread, akin to French toast, often consumed during Holy Week.
All-in-all, my experience thus-far in Madrid has been brilliant. Each day brings something new and there is nothing more thought-provoking and entertaining than noticing the key nuances between your own native home and your place of travel. It’s the little things that mean a lot. That is indeed the beauty of travel. Take the opportunity. Travel, learn a new language and enjoy the differences here in Spain that will make your experience even more special.
By Anna Madden
