Hi Jeremy and every-one else

Now before you get upset, I thought that it would be interesting to hear from people about the little things that they found that they disliked about Madrid and Spain. I know that there is no place on Earth that is "Perfect" and something that seems great for one person may seem horrible for another.

As a subject rider to this, I am planning our next trip back to Madrid and Spain as my wife and I fell in love with the City and Country, but I know that there are a few dislikes that I have and I was really wondering whether others had the same dislikes as me.

1) Churros and Purros and Chocolate. I sort of enjoyed it but my wife didn't, however our Spanish friends enjoyed every morsel and drop. This is definately a taste thing as I love Vegemite and Toast (I'm an Australian) but friends from the USA and else-where dislike it.

2) The Smoking every-where (this also applies to much of Europe) - this is because we have such strict anti-smoking laws in Australia.

3) The time of eating meals. It took quite some time to adjust to the Spanish eating cycle and once we were adjusted to it it was hard to re-adjust back to our former "normal" times when we returned home.

4) The hand held showers in Hostales and Homes both in Spain and the rest of Europe. It took quite some adjustment but was acceptable to the alternative.

5) The number of people, the crowded living and the traffic. This is really a very personal thing as I come from a City of 1 Million people where apartment living is very rare rather than the norm, and a Country of 20 Million people that is the size of all of Europe, so you can see my problem. However, whilst it is a dislike, it is part of the charm of Spain that I like.

Apart from those above I really can't think of much more that I dislike. I can, however think of Lots and Lots more that I do like about Madrid and Spain.

Over to you now.

David

David, I used to live in Adelaide many years ago, and whilst I appreciate your comments on the crowded cities of Europe, Madrid in particular, it is no different than where I now live in Manchester, England. The majority of Europeans do tend to eat at different times but I have never found this to be a problem. On the subject of showers, I have not yet encountered any that do not have a hook on the wall, and find that they are usually better than the one we have at home. Over to you! PS where in Adelaide?

Hi all! Well David, I think it is great that you can see those things and share them on this board. I am sure many people will agree and disaggree depending on their point of view. As for me, I am in love with Spain but not blinded by it's reality, so here goes:
1) Don't know where you got that "purro" word from (might want to visit my "spanish language help" forum, jejeje, just kidding! you mistook it for "porras") but the word is actually "porras" which indeed are those tasty little treats covered in choco, filled with creme or both and are a much thicker than the "churros" Either way, I love em all! You are right though, it is a matter of taste as is all related to foods. I for one do not like Serrano Ham. Never tasted Vegemite but I saw it once and it looked ok Your virtual pastry chef strikes again! ("porras" on the left and "churros" on the right in the photo).
2) Coming from NY I hear ya on that smoking thing, I absolutely hate it ! It is the worst thing culturally about this country. My girlfriend works in what they call an "intelligent building" (in other words, 100% climate controlled and the windows don't open, real "intelligent" ) and she might as well smoke becaus her co-workers all do and almost kill her on the exhale. On the bright side however, more and more legislation is being passed lately against smoking in a lot of public places.
3) It was hard for me to adjust to the meal times as well but once you live here a while it is a piece of cake! Mostly I just eat when I am hungry but I have been on the Spanish schedule so long I am used to it. It is harder however for temporary visitors.
4) Uuuurrrr, I have to go with Mad-Sue on that Shower deal, mine have always had a hook or plastic mold to rest them in. When I was backpacking around Spain however years ago, I found a lot of hostals did not have that "luxury" , jejeje!
5) The feeling crowded is a perspective thing and is very subjective as you say but when I tell you I am from NYC I think I say enough. For me Madrid is very small and personal compared to NY.

Just like you David, I have not many complaints about Spain and I would be as bold as to say NONE about Madrid itself. It is good however to point these things out as fellow foreigners.
hasta luego and stay jer...

Hi every-one

Thanks for the responses.

Jeremy - my mistake regarding the "porras", or maybe it was just my hearing!!!!

Good to hear about the legislation on Smoking.

Regarding the hand held Showers, all but one Hostale we stayed in didn't have a hook on the wall that actually worked. In fact even a 3 Star Hotel in Granada simply had the hose and nozzle in the bath with no-where to hang it. Mad-Sue - you will appreciate the difference in a Fixed Shower compared to an Hand Held one. Mind you the quality of the water in Spain and Madrid is just sooooo much better than what I am used to in Adelaide.

Jeremy - you are correct about getting used to the eating patterns of the Spanish. It took a little while to get used to but was OK when we finally had our body clocks working to "Spanish Time". Then we had to change it all back again when we arrived back home. Hey!!! that's all part of travelling.

Regarding the crowded thing, yes, it is all a personal perspective, but as Mad-Sue will appreciate, it is different to where I live. However, that is why we travel. To experience other cultures and way of living.

As I said at the start, these are just one or two little dislikes that I have, none of them are enough to stop me from going back to Spain and Madrid and I am counting down the days until my wife and I again arrive in Spain.

Mad-sue - I live in the Suburb of Henley Beach in Adelaide.

David

Hi agian David, although I live here I can imagine your enthusiasm for a return trip and even find myself getting psyched for you. When are you due back? Be great to get together for a "ca�a" (beer) or a "porra" (as opposed to a "porro" which is a funny cigarrette or more blatently put, a joint). I have said too much!
Take care, jer...

Hi again Jeremy

Our plans are for "some-time" 2002, for about 6 weeks - living as we do in Australia it's about a 27 hour flight to Madrid and, unless you travel off-season, it can be quite expensive.

Also, our son, who lives in Melbourne (Australia) and maybe be moving to Brisbane (Australia) in the New Year, has finally decided to get married over the Christmas/New Year period. So our plans are a little up in the air at present as my life partner (read wife of 31 years) always want's to go and visit him. FYI - Melbourne is just over 1 hour and Brisbane is over 4 hours by plane from Adelaide. As well, my wife wan'ts to go back to Switzerland and Paris so I have to squeeze them in as well. But I am still counting down until we do get back to Spain. It will happen!!!!!

However, I have already pencilled you in for at least one or two or three ca�a's (correct ?) or vino's when we are there. That is amongst visiting our Australian friend, who is married to a Madrinle�os (is this correct?) Senora (now) and her friends and relatives that we have grown to become friends with, as well as seeing more of Madrid and Spain.

Adi�s mi nuevo amigo

David

PS - I am learning Spanish (although it is a slow process for me) as my total Spanish was, and still is, approximately 10 words, so be kind to me if I make a blatant mistake. LOL