Back on Track

Hola! I've completely rocked Madrid since last writing and I have much news. When I last wrote I had just emerged from my hole of sick/death/flu. To celebrate my return to the land of the living, Richard and I went and saw a documentary film about climate change and Exxon mogul's role in it. The film was being screened for free at the Zaragoza historic centre as a part of the Zaragoza film festival (that I was apparently there for and missed, damn you flu!). The film was amazing and powerful and made me really, really angry as such films are wont to do. So quick side note, can everyone please stop using Esso (owned by Exxon) gas? They're definitely the most evil of the oil corporations, and they're the only one that refuses to even glimpse at alternative fuels or drilling practises. Disgusting.
Anyway, the next day I took a leisurely mid-afternoon bus from Zaragoza to Madrid. The bus ride was amazing! We delved through the hills, up and down along all the gorgeous Spanish scenery. I finally saw my first Spanish red rocks. The scenery was delightfully schizophrenic, going from palm trees to evergreens, from rocky expanse of red and yellow to lush green grass and tree-covered slopes. I arrived in Madrid and was met at the bus station by my Madrid couchsurfing host, Evan. I came back to his place and met his lovely roommates, both very nice. That night we all went out to a bar where they have live music. Three diferent people with guitars got up one at a time and played. It was really great, because I've been jonesing for live music lately, and it was a cozy little bar with a good atmosphere. That night Evan and I started what has become a routine of staying up until ridiculous-oclock in the morning having long talks about whatever.
This brings us to two days ago, my first official full day in Madrid. I spent the morning (well, afternoon by the time I woke up) walking around the neighbourhood where I'm staying. Then Evan took me to his flameco guitar class so I could get a real taste of Spanish culture. It was amazing! There were four guys who were all expert at Flamenco and for the first hour it was them jamming together, then the second hour they brought in a singer/clapper and a dancer. Everyone performed beautifully, and I loved sitting to the side and getting this private Flamenco show. The music is enchanting and the dance is really exciting to watch. Afterwards I met up with my friend Javier (who I met in Ireland) and we spent hours walking around downtown Madrid. Javier's lived here his whole life, so he gave me a really in-depth tour of the city's core. We also went out for some traditional Spanish food, although there's a limited selection for me because most of it contains meat. Then it was back to the apartment for more talking all night.
Yesterday I met Javier in the afternoon to walk around a bit. When he had to jet for class I continued walking and explored the fashion district and the gaybourhood of Madrid. Afterwards I went and spent some time in the Museo del Prado art museum, where they have free entry after 6pm, woo! I came back to the flat for quick dinner, then bounced back downtown to meet up with Ozan, my would-be couchsurfing host who couldn't host me because his family is visiting, but wanted to hang out anyway. He took me to this amazing little cave-like bar where on Tuesday nights they have a wailing blues band. We had some nice half-shouted conversation while the band rocked the tiny bar. It was the perfect follow-up to my reading Kerouac, and I swayed and clapped along for hours. The band was absolutely bumping, and because it was such a small bar it was completely packed and the energy was throbbing. Glorious! I caught the last metro back to the flat, then more night-talking.
Today I walked around dowtown a bit more (there's so much to see downtown Madrid, it's crazy!) and then spent hours inside the Reine Sophia modern art museum. The museum holds a huge art collection, including tons of Picasso's paitings, sculptures, and sketches. I got to realise a big dream of mine and see Picasso's Guernica in real life. Seeing that amazing, huge, powerful painting was absolutely mind-blowing. I stood motionless in front of it for what must have been at least 20 minutes with tears welling in my eyes. Unlike the Mona Lisa, that's one piece of art that is definitely not over-hyped. After I recovered from my death-by-art I sought out this cool coffee shop where they sell used books i English, and I stocked up for my long bus ride tomorrow. Tonight I'll probably just hang with the crew in the flat and then tomorrow I take a bus to Granada in the south of Spain, ole!