Hola To all my mm-ers
HOpe ur all doing well. Well im just inquiring to find out how has the weather been lately in madrid and what the us dollar/Euro currancy ratio is. I went to the exchanged rate and they tell me that to get 1 euro i'll pay 1.24 us dollars. Does that sound correct? All ur helps would be great ill be there in less than 2 weeks yess.
Also i would really like to meet u guys if possible.
besos lily
hope to get replys

hi Lily, the following links will help...

� weather --> http://oap.weather.com/fcgi-bin/oap/redirect_magnet?loc_id=SPXX0050&par=internal&site=magnet&code=397356&promo=english (loads slowly but hang in there).

� exchange rate --> www.xe.com/ucc/convert.cgi

first hand feedback.

� weather: been very nice and warm here lately but it is most every year this time of the spring. can't ever let your guard down as it usually gets COOOOOLD again before spring takes root for good.

� exchange: i do not personally change money here very often but can tell you that recently my clients have been paying between $1.24 and $1.28 for a euro. too tricky a question since...

1) there is the "official exchange rate" and there is what the exchange places give you. also commissions involved depending on where you go.

2) too many places to exchange to give any exact numbers for what a euro will cost you.

i can tell you 2 things for sure...

a) you will get a better exchange rate at a bank if you have an account with them. so, if you are here for at least 4 months you may want to open one at my bank (the easiest). see the SPANISH BANK ACCOUNTS thread for more.

b) AMEX TRAVELLERS CHECKS ARE CRAP HERE!!! (as is AMEX in general). if you were thinking of bringing them, leave them home. if you must bring travellers checks, bring VISA travellers checks.

see the "money matters" page of my PRACTICAL INFO SECTION.

quote:

Also i would really like to meet u guys if possible.

cool, see ya at mm VOLLEYBALL on april 18th :cheers:

saludos,
jer...

Hi Lily! Bet you are getting so excited!!!

With regard to the exchange rate, I just changed up 5,000$ and received 4.038,49�

That was into my account at Banco Santander, and the rate was 1,23 plus commission. I am a resident, but there is also a different rate for a non resident!

Hope that helps!

Cold weather front moving in in the North!!!! 8 comunidades are on alert!!...as Jer said...nice now..but beware of the cold!!!!

salu2,
serge

ps. YEAAHHHHHHH volleyball is back!!!!!!

by the way..isn't it currency not currancy?

just a question...
salu2

hey serge, yep, it is "currency" indeed.

eeeeek, felt the chill this morning

as the saying goes, "hasta el cuarenta de mayo, no te quites el sayo"

saludos,
jer...

It's funny when people ask about the weather in this time of the year because we can't say nothing with more than 4 days but beware of any weather!!.
This weekend we were with just a t-shirt on the shadow, because it was hot in the sun, even some crazy foreigners had a swim in Valencia, it looks that today is already snowing in Navarra and soon in other regions.... :jeje:

Yep, the weather certainly has dipped here in Madrid.

On Sunday we were hiking in t-shirts in La Pedriza (the mountains)... and today..!!?!! brrrr...where�s my coat??? :cry:

quote:

even some crazy foreigners had a swim in Valencia,

miguelito, they are most likely from the uk. that is warm water fro them, try swimming in any body of water that surrounds the uk at any time of year

saludos,
jer...

quote:

originally posted by jer:
[qb]

quote:

even some crazy foreigners had a swim in Valencia,

miguelito, they are most likely from the uk. that is warm water fro them, try swimming in any body of water that surrounds the uk at any time of year

saludos,
jer... [/qb]

The water off sellafield gets pretty hot sometimes!!

Hola everyone
I knew i could count on u guys :ks: Thanks for all the 411. Well Jer i wish i could go to ur v-ball but i will not be there till then i return to the states on april 12th. But i still hope to meet the mmers
ps. I know this may be the wrong forum to post this but i would like to know how is the metra/train transportation with in madrid as well as outside since the attacks? Thamks bunches besos
lily

hey lily...

well it is raining gatos y perros today in madrid, which meant i decided to call off work and hang out with my computer looking out over the lovely plaza mayor glistening under the damp.

(yes i am temporarily jer's neighbor! housesitting a crazy cat in the attico of plaza mayor.)

anyway, re. weather, you can never tell this time of year. the key re. clothing is "layers." wear tank tops under t's under sweaters under light jackets. that way you can strip down as you get sweaty and layer up when chilly. you shouldn't need a heavy coat at all, though a scarf is always nice not to mention stylish! an umbrella is a good idea too or a hat.

as for money, the dollar is so crap right now, you will find it just doesn't go far at all. however, keep in mind that madrid is way cheaper than any major city stateside, so you will still be able to have a great time no matter what your exchange. a decent glass of wine is around 2 euros, so what is that 4.50 in dollars? when i was restaurant-opening last summer in detroit, i found that even the cheapest of house reds was going for no less than $5.50 and that was before taxes!

one way to ensure the best rate is by using your debit card here. yes, you will have to pay your bank's fee, but if you take out 300 euros at a time, you only pay the fee once plus you get a better rate than at the exchange shops or airports. also if you shop or eat out, you can pay with your debit card and not only get the best rate, but also not pay a fee. if you are worried that your debit card won't work, bring those visa travellers checks as a back up, or just bring cash.

buses and metro seem to me to be fine. though i do notice folks eyeing my bag apprehensively when i set it down on the floor next to me. (i work teaching most of the day and my bag is big and heavy). i am more wary of my surroundings too. and it does seem that there are more security guards at the metro stops. (then again i speak only of cuatro caminos where i stop daily. and i notice because one of the guards is really hot and i always make a point to look out for him!) haven't been on the cercanias since the attacks, so maybe someone else can jump in here and give their viewpoint.

what was your other question??? oh, getting together...sounds great. go find the mm get together thread, under Buddy Up and post up a plan. as madsue can attest, you are sure to get a rousing welcome.

anymore questions, fire away.

ciao,
candela

quote:

how is the metra/train transportation with in madrid as well as outside since the attacks?

all is pretty much back to normal Lily.

saludos,
jer...

quote:

originally posted by Laidback:
[qb]The water off sellafield gets pretty hot sometimes!! [/qb]

Good one! And I always thought that green hue in those residents was a shamrock tan! Go figure!! :jeje:

:cheers:

HOla Candela
Candela thank u so much for all ur info it was great!!! Question besides my visa debit card can i use my visa credit card and still get the good exchange rate and all that stuff u mentioned? That way ill make sure to have enough funds in my account. By the way i know here in the states we have the option to make a debit from my checking or savings account. Is it the same at the Atm's in spain?
Well candela thank u
so much and ill await a reply
by the way it would be nice to meet u, let me know if it would be possible hehe.
besos lily
pd thanks jer for the insite.