From old friends to security guards...

Raiders in Madrid!

The other night on our walk home we were being hassled to come into various clubs. Eventually we decided to go inside one just to see what it was like. Once inside we sat down for a bit and the next thing I knew Peter White ("Pedro Blanco"), a friend from high school, was standing on the other side of the room! I hadn't seen him since summer and could not believe I ran into him. He is studying in Toledo and was in Madrid for the weekend, it is such a small world!

Warning: Do not attempt to get a free ride on the Madrid metro system or you will be seized!! One of my roommates attempted the other day and was seized by three bodyguards. They wanted her to give up her metro pass and pay a fee. Luckily, she acted like a "dumb foreigner" and they let her go with a warning.

Madrid pub crawl

I also went on my first Madrid pub crawl. It was a fun way to meet new people and see the city. Recently in Madrid they passed a smoke free law in public buildings. Because we are used to smoke free areas in the U.S. I was pretty happy not to smell like smoke all the time. However I soon realized where all the smokers were hiding, in the bathrooms. Walking into a bathroom is like taking a bath in an ashtray because smokers will lock themselves inside the bathrooms instead of going outside to smoke. The rules on the streets of Madrid are also different, for example there is always a man trying to sell you beer by the can. I have no idea if this is legal or not but you can be assured that the questionable man selling the Mahou (Spanish beer) will have a much lower price than any bar nearby.

Shout out to my parents: better start a workout regime now so we can walk everywhere come March!

I have posted some pictures, check 'em out on the right side bar! I was supposed to go to Toledo today but I am sick. I'm laying in bed all day which means no more adventures for now.