Dear RENFE

HIRE A DECENT TRANSLATOR!
That is all. (see also - This week's bout of Spanglish is sponsored by Renfe)

Man toilets and woman toilets?? Whatever happened to Ladies and Gents? Or simply Women and Men?

La Tabacalera de Lavapiés

La Tabacalera de Lavapiés is an old tobacco factory in Madrid which has been converted into a social centre. After reading about in the English language paper In Madrid I wandered down to check it out. It’s a gigantic building most of which is closed off to the public, but what’s open comprises of a cafeteria, garden, exhibition spaces, classrooms... During the week it hosts classes and the cafeteria has a cool chilled out vibe as well as exceptionally cheap prices. Plus I saw le Cool Madrid recommending their sushi evening last week. Pop in and check out the wall art (amazing) and the hilarious notice board wall.

 

 

 

 

Rooftops IV

Spent a Saturday afternoon at the Reina Sofia museum. (free after 14.30) Not my favourite museum in Madrid I have to say. For me, Picasso’s Guernica is the only stand out piece and the Dali’s on display are disappointing (guess all the best stuff is in Figueres??). However, if you walk... and walk and walk... you’ll find their terrace. Unfortunately it’s cunningly located so as to force you to view all exhibitions first (philistine I know :P) but it’s worth it. 

@ La Casa Encendida again

Great place. Their current exhibition of Metropoli covers is definitely worth a visit.

McDonalds Spanish style

En route to Paris... The only restaurant open in Madrid Terminal 4 in the early hours of the dawn is McDonalds. Got to love the way McDonalds changes its offering for each country. McDonalds breakfast Spanish style - Tostada con tomate y aceite (toasted bread with tomato and oil) and a coffee.

Sunset on the Madrid Río

They've done such a nice job of renovating the river bed. I've even recovered from the disappointment of going to see fireworks here a few months back and after 4 hours of waiting realising that I'd misread the programme and that fuegos sobre el río did not actually translate to fuegos artificiales. Ah wishful translation.

La Casa Encendida (aka Rooftops III)

I've been meaning to big up La Casa Encendida here for a while. Discovered it a couple of months back and it's fast becoming one of my favorite places in Madrid.

It's a cultural centre sponsored by the bank / credit union Caja Madrid and is full to the brim with interesting events, great short and feature length sceenings, exhibitons, free internet and... an AMAZING rooftop hangout area. Apparently from next month, they'll be showing movies there at night so I'll know where I'll be this summer.

Check out some snaps from the weekend, hung out in the garden and then headed to the screening of the somewhat bizarre Aardvark.