Day 1 - Prologue To Awesomeness

Hey gang!
Here, then, as promised (just) is the first day of my Madrid diary. Hope you like it, and feel free to comment!

Strangely enough for me, this particular adventure began in the bright midday sunlight. After checking, and double checking, that I had everything, I loaded my bags into Dad's car and we were off to the airport! The journey wasn't too long, but the people on the radio kept going on about the recession and Harry Potter - not the most inspiring topics! Eventually, however, we pulled up at the drop-off point and I parted ways with Dad. I felt oddly grown-up, walking alone with my suitcase.
Thankfully it didn't take me long to meet up with the others - even with my punctuality, Vanessa had still beaten me to it! Drat, foiled again. Soon Maddy and Emily, clearly already running on Spanish time, also arrived, and together we went through the motions of a hassle-free security check. Once in Departures, we split up and I grabbed a hot choc from Starbucks. Vanessa and I killed some more time wandering around the shops, and then she played games on my iPod while I updated this diary for the first time. The minutes and hours ticked by as I watched her demolish all my highscores.
Unfortunately the plane was delayed by half an hour, but the time soon passed and we found ourselves powering into the sky again, our destination this time: Madrid! I wasn't sure whether I'd survive this journey with only my own entertainment, but thankfully my doubts about the iPod's battery proved unfounded and we managed to watch the whole of Hancock before the captain switched on the "fasten seatbelts" sign once more, and our stomachs began to lurch as we descended. The landing and baggage was the smoothest I've had for a long time, and before long we were ready to make use of the Metro!
What struck me first about the metro was how clean it was. In world metro terms, it's comparable to Bangkok, or London's Jubilee Line. It's modern, clean and organised, and even the press of people seems less "frantic" than in the Tube. Sadly, as I soon discovered, the situation gets progressively worse the closer you get to the surface, which was plagued with graffiti (OK, maybe some of it was street art) and humungous crowds.
Half-an-hour's worth of train-jumping later, we emerged into the dazzling sunlight, and deafening roadworks, of the Puerta del Sol. Our first task was to find our accommodation at the Hostal Santa Cruz, a task which, in itself, was not too hard. Rather than a building in its own right, as I had expected, the Hostal was a floor of a larger apartment building. The facilities were quite comfortable; I was in a room on my own, which suited - I think if I'd been in a three like the others I'd just have been getting in everyone's way!
Anyway, after an opportunity to dump any unwanted bits and bobs, we were heading back out to explore. The local high street looks fantastic - there's a massive Fnac, an El Corte Ingles, a bookshop and loads of clothes shops to keep the girls happy - what more could you want?! There's also loads of cinemas and theatres, as well as some interesting places to eat. As it happened, it was half eleven before we made our way to a chain sanwich restaurant called "Pans and Company", sort of like a Spanish Subway. As a result, I doubt any of the options were that healthy, but with tuna, tomato and pepper in mine, I don't think I did too badly!
Once we'd finished, fatigue set in, and there was nothing left to do but head back to the Hostal for a good night's (or what remained of one, at least!) sleep. I was out like a light.


Cripes, I was tired that night. Ah well, hope that's been a good taster for you. TOMORROW, tune in for more exploration of Madrid, first thoughts on the shop we were working out and the first paella of the trip! All that and more, next time on.... um..... some cool feature I can't think of a cool name for yet.
Hasta luego!

Jack