Fuencarral

Germán, my boyfriend, studies architecture. Because creativity is one of the key attributes students should be honing to be an architect, they are frequently given projects providing them with a lot of creative freedom. Last weekend, his project was to put together a video portraying street architecture but from an alternative perspective. He chose to film different people or different shoes walking on calle Fuencarral in Madrid both at night and daytime, as well as surrounded by crowds or completely alone.

So that's what Germán, María, Jaime and I spent our day doing. We looked like such freaks... however, in Malasaña (Madrid's Camden) the hipsters and other oddballs didn't really seem to notice us. Having oh so professionally taped an iPhone to a metal pole, we set off.

That trusty palo...

 

I feel like a verb we really lack in English is the very concise Spanish aprovechar, meaning 'to make the most of'. Anyway, aproveché, I took the opportunity to photograph the counterculture of such a dynamic area. The graffitied narrow streets tightly pack old school Spanish matchbox-sized shops or traditional churches, with tattoo parlours, vintage stores, artsy bars and a place selling the next newest *thing* (I saw quite a few bike shops so look out pedestrians - you don't want to get run over by a hipster).

We then hopped right back on the tourist route with a walk to Sol and the Plaza Mayor and then for a (slightly over-priced) glass of wine - or two or three - in Mercado de San Miguel. It's one of my favourite places for tapas in the city (think Spanishified Borough Market).

TGIF

The gorditos of my route home from work.

This seems to have become a routine thing, a rant about my exhaustion but I promise it won't be all I post about.

This week has been another stressful one, involving two trips to the bank in Las Rosas (the end of the earth for anyone who knows Madrid) as we were told it was the only bank which opened late (banks here are only open until 14.30 and only on weekdays!), only to be told that the only place we could open accounts was the bank in Sol which only opens until 18.30 - tight but do-able. So Maria managed to sort out her account and yesterday I journeyed my way over there on the bus and then Cercanías from school. I waited in line, filled in forms, photocopied everything... but guess what? They didn't give me an account and what is more can't fit me in - it's just for a signature - until Wednesday. Felt so meh leaving with absolutely nothing and no way to be paid at the end of this month... Spanish bureaucracy is idiotically slow.

Right, now that I've stopped angrily prattling on, I think I'll tell you about my job. So for those of you who don't know, I'm going to be here in Madrid until June as an English auxiliar or teaching assistant at a school, Trinity College in San Sebastián de los Reyes. I'm really enjoying it so far, I've been put with the little, little ones who are ages six and seven. They're level for English is impressive. Well, of course, it is a school in the bilingual programme but still, I love how they can communicate more or less. I mean if it's about their family or summer or school. However, with French I've been doing it for years and years, and am still a bit iffy when it comes to my school supplies.

Oh and they looove me. They're still in that stage where they just want to hug me, kiss me, make me little presents. This morning alone I was given a paper airplane and a cut-out heart.

Only disadvantage of my working day? It's not the heat, oh no, the lack of air con in the classrooms has nothing on waking up at six in the morning every day. As you know, I love sleeping that is not enough sleep for me. It's pitch black when I leave home to get a lift with teachers. Although it does mean I enjoy the sunrise every morning. Here is an awful picture of the morning's beautiful sky (blame both half asleep photographer and dirty windscreen).

Mario Testino is a god.

I recently refound this Vogue España photo on one of the adverts for VFNO which line the streets of Barrio de Salamanca. I love it. The homage to Spain, the rich brocade, expressive colours, and powerful poses, paired with this incredible lighting.

This is my persuasion to you all. Come visit me in Spain - and perhaps you can bag yourself a bullfighter.

Roomie's here

So my beautiful compañera de piso has moved in. She's mostly been taking care of me in my exhausted state, bringing me Elle and Cosmopolitan from good old England, cooking for me, cleaning the flat and buying me treats. I feel we're only one step away from her having to peel me off the floor. Well at least it's the weekend (woop). When she starts work in October, hopefully I can return the favour - or we might both just be zombies.

We look super social right now in Starbucks on Juan Bravo, both ladened with macbooks, ipads and brandishing our iPhones. What extremes we'd go to for free wifi I don't quite know... For the sake of those around us, let's just thank God for Starbucks.

Follow her blog, mariainmadrid for any updates on that front!

VFNO

Last Friday I really felt myself flagging at five o'clock in the afternoon having woken up at my usual 6.20am - yes... I know - for school after having gone to bed past one the night before. However, I was happy in my tiredness, either I'd gone crazy, delirious perhaps, or it was because I had had a great Thursday night. So it was Vogue Fashion's Night out in Madrid and right on my doorstep in Barrio de Salamanca.

I met up with a prep school friend who happens to be out here for uni and some of her friends, who were lovely. We had such a good time. Imagine four girls being given free wine, champagne and cocktails in beautiful Spanish shops - yep, it was heaven. At one point we even found ourself deciding what to have in our future-houses in Zara Home. Oh my God, how had I never properly been in that shop? GO.

The only disadvantage? It was absolutely packed. Although that did at to the ambiente. I don't know what VFNO is like in other countries - never having been to the one in London - but I was very impressed. Un buen comienzo al Year Abroad chicos.

EAT

I'm loving my year abroad mostly for how having the excuse to eat out a lot. Being in Madrid there's an incredible variety of choice. Yesterday I went to Sushi shop on Serrano and that's definitely one to try for Japanese food that's pretty good value. But for tapas (we are in Spain after all), my favourite has to be Lateral.

This is a video I came across on thirdyearabroad.com and I love the style and editing, especially the very beginning. Click here and make sure you take a look at their other videos, Move and Learn, as well.

Two of my favourite Spanish expressions mean eating yourself silly (tehe)

ponerse morado - literally make oneself purple

ponerse las botas - literally put on own's boots

Hopefully I don't come back the size of a house...

Vida madrileña

 

Can't quite believe I'm here... Already stocked the fridge with gazpacho, tortilla, jamón and fuet - feeling I've gone española and there's no turning back. What you would only find in García on Portobello or perhaps a delicatessen is normal here and better yet - usually very cheap. I have to say I am seriously impressed with the choice of bread in Spanish supermarkets as well, even the smallest ones which don't have an in-store bakery seem to have a wealth of different types. Not so impressed by the choice of humous (my addiction) but c'est la vie!

So far I haven't done all that much except unpack, see a few old friends and explore the area. I am VERY happy with the location of my flat, Barrio de Salamanca. It's very well connected and I can walk almost everywhere. I'm surrounded by bars and little boutiques (take a look at a few photos I took yesterday). Right, well I know where my first pay cheque is headed.

I love this little pedestrianised mews, el Callejón de Jorge Juan. Reminds me of Notting Hill with it's candy-coloured buildings and little doorways.

Work starts tomorrow eek, wish me luck...

Homage to my hometown

So I'm off to Madrid tomorrow. Wao I am scared... I'll update you on my progress en España as soon as I can. But for now, just want to say how much I'm going to miss my beautiful old London.

I hope I don't take all the sun with me.

 

Missing you all already.

I heart Pasadena

This is a place we always try to go to at least once when we're in town. It has the best burgers and has been running for 40 years with the same authentic feel. I particularly like the old-fashioned cash register.

My order is always the grilled chicken burger and banana cream pie. Yummmmmmm.

I love a good neon sign. Here's another, in South Pasadena. It's part soda fountain, part pharmacy and part shop with the funniest little trinkets. Need a rusty Route 66 sign or I love Lucy pill box, this is your place. No, seriously, it's perfect for unique gifts. They serve a great lunch but you can just go there for a milkshake, sundae, banana split or even a root beer float.

California girl

Having returned from the Golden State a while ago now, this post is long overdue. I had an incredible three weeks across the pond with my family and boyfriend. Our house is in South Pasadena (Los Angeles) but we road-tripped it up to Cambria and Monterey, as well as down to San Diego.
There are far too many photos for one blog post so I thought I would attempt to restrain myself to just showing you my favourites for starters. Over these next few days as I pack for Madrid (yikes), I will also post on some extra special places which you have to visit if you find yourself out there.

Well, number one is the Rialto theatre in South Pasadena, just a short walk away from my house, I think it's a real shame that it's no longer in use. My has so many memories of seeing double features here with her childhood friends.

The Mission in Santa Barbara. Expression wherever you looked,

including chalk art in the courtyard.

Cambria views.

 

Stopping for sea lions.

 Exploring Monterey.

Where you can eat dinner listing to the seals.

This is one of my favourites - yes mine (Finding Nemo for those uneducated readers out there... seriously stop reading this and watch it right now).

Patterns in the kelp bed.

 And of course the characteristic California coast fog blows in.

This is the Mission of San Diego. Do research the 23 missions, as the history of the Spanish in California is extremely interesting (this should help). 

This particular one was much quieter than the one in Santa Barbara but no less beautiful. I liked the feel of humility and the whitewash reminded me of the house and Rebeca in One Hundred Years of Solitude (a must-read). I hope to be able to go back.

Old town San Diego has a strange feel to it. Slightly artificial and put-on with all of its tourist attractions but I did like the Western meets Mexico vibe and here are some of my favourite photos.

An original plant hanging basket.

We stayed on Coronado in San Diego and while on the beach, planes would fly overhead almost every ten minutes. A constant reminder of the military base that takes up a large part of peninsula.

While there watch Some like it hot with Marilyn Monroe.

Back in LA we were lucky enough to see the Dodgers win with a home run to boot. I couldn't help taking a last snap of the sun setting on the stadium.