2 Months In

Hello,

I should've started this before, really, though I've been hit by a bolt of inspiration today and I felt I just had to start my blog.

As you probably already know, my name is Zoë Loveday, and I'm on placement for my third year studying at Aston University.

I'm here in Madrid until March, then I spend the next six months split between the German town of Konstanz, and the Swiss town of Bottighofen; crossing the border on the daily commute in a way Steve McQueen would only dream of.

At the moment I work for La Editorial La Casa de España, as a general intern, doing all manner of jobs and loving every second. I translate, type up, answer phones, contact clients, fetch the buns and say hello to the postman.

I live in the Mirasierra district, in a lovely apartment with a dog as old as Methusula who has formed a liking to falling asleep on my feet.

When I first arrived on the last day of August, and I stepped out of Barajas airport, a wave of 32 degree heat hit me. Myself being a Northern British lass, I could not believe my luck, as this is the city in which I would spend the next six months of my life, and, as you can all imagine the weather is pretty different.

The landscape here is dry, but stunningly beautiful. My drive to work lets me see the mountains that circle Madrid, though I am yet to see them snow-capped. Today is the 1st of November and it's been a very tasty 25 degrees. Compared to England...heaven. Though I have to admit, I do miss rain. Madrid is a mile high and very dry. I went home for a weekend in October and I thoroughly enjoyed having to wrap up in my scarf to go blackberry-picking.

I have not been blessed with the world's best sense of direction, as my boyfriend and dad will readily tell you, but I found the Metro system incredibly easy to use: all colour-coordinated lines, good links and a very agreeable pair of voices on the speaker system which tell you which station you're at. The only drawback of the Metro is the astounding number of pickpockets there are on it. I positively sellotape my valuables to my body.

In Madrid, there are no big, famous monuments like the Eiffel Tower or the Brandenburg Gate, the thing you go for is the way of life, the vibe you feel oozing from everyone you meet. For instance, everyone is impeccably dressed here, because they enjoy looking, and consequently feeling good. Going to the supermarket for the daily 'barrita del pan' requires planning your outfit three days in advance and making sure your bag matches your shoes.

You get what you need by making friends here. There's even a term - you need an 'enchufe', or literally, a plug socket of friends. I frequent a little bar next to my building, and I have done for a month or so now. I therefore now, am saved a space by the bar in busy times, given more free food than my friends at uni would know what to do with, and I have been introduced to the owner's grand-daughter over a plate of jamón.

You are, however, everybody's friend. Buenos días is said to everyone, and if the sister of the friend of the cousin of the husband of the person you happen to be sat next to in a bar is getting married, you're invited to the party and given cava.

Everything happens late here. They eat late, they sleep late, they stay out late, and they arrive late, but it's all ok because everyone does the same, and after a while you find yourself getting drawn into all.

Another thing I have noticed: I am very tall here. Very. Tall. 5'9" wouldn't seem in England to be excessive, but here, I am asked by old ladies to reach items from high shelves, I get stared at (particularly on Sundays too...don't know why), and trying to find shoes and trousers big enough requires specially trained search dogs.

The food though, oh the food. The food here needs an entry all to itself. All I will say for now is Boquerones are the food of the champions.

Patatas bravas are the spiciest thing in the peninsula and I'd eat them every day.

Tinto de Verano is what I would be if I were a drink: Red wine, fanta lemon and ice. Perfection in a wine glass.

I think that's enough for today. You all have work to do and I have more stuff to do, so my next blog will still be interesting.

Hasta ahora, vengo volando

xxxx