Day 36
*Disclaimer: A lot of the pictures I took are on my camera, which I can't upload until I get my computer back, so I'll have to add them later. Sorry.
Today didn't really have a beginning because yesterday didn't really have an end. But it was the first day of spring break! A couple hours after the 3 am bus ride we got to the airport and checked in and went through security and waited around until our flight at 6 or something. Security in Italy was nothing like it is in America- we didn't even have to take off our shoes unless they set off the detectors! I found out I somehow got priority boarding and was in the very 3rd row of the plane.
When we landed, we were trying to find a van to take the 6 of us but the lady directing the taxis was aggressive and forces us to split up because it was easier. We realized immediately that our cab driver spoke no English which was surprising to me. The architecture was beautiful as we drove past and Madrid felt a lot more like a "city" than a lot of the Italian "towns" I've been to so far, but yet it didn't feel so modern that I might as well have been in New York. Rome seemed like I was either in Ancient Rome or New York City and it was hard to find a happy medium.
But the fun part of traveling came to an abrupt halt when our cab driver dropped us off on a street that didn't look like our apartment and we didn't have any cell phone service to check, or a way to communicate through the language barrier. I realized how dependent I am on my data plan but at the same time, I can't imagine a way to live without it. It also comes in handy in Italy when I need google translate and I definitely could have used it here with the taxi driver who was trying to drop us off. It was supposed to be a flat fee of 30€ for the ride but when we handed the driver our two 20's (our bills were so fresh they were unbroken), we got 1.50€ in change... We asked why/complained and he showed us the meter where it said 38.50€ and continued yelling at us in Spanish to get out. Tired and already pissed about the customer service in Spain, we had to camp out in a restaurant while we got breakfast and waited for our check-in time.
After a few hours, there was a line forming at the door and the waitresses were starting to throw dirty looks at the 6 of us and our luggage, so we relocated to a Starbucks even though only one of us actually ordered anything. While we were there, a teenage boy came up to us and pulled a map out and started to ask a question. Luckily, one of us realized he was using it to cover up a phone he wanted to steal and instinctively grabbed the phone and yelled at him to leave, then the barista jumped up and chased him out. It was the most action I've seen before noon in awhile and was a helpful reminder to all of us to be aware of all our stuff.
Finally we found our apartment and dropped our stuff off. Opting to stay in an apartment that sleeps 6 rather than booking 6 rooms in a hostel was absolutely brilliant because we not only are on the Main Street in Madrid (Gran Vía) but we have an unbelievable view. 
We then ventured out to see the town. First we explored the Plaza del Sol and then worked our way towards the Mercado San Miguel to find food. We tried a seafood paella that was really good, despite only having one piece of seafood in it. 
But, I was so tired from my lack of sleep that for probably the first time in my life, I wanted to sleep rather than travel and explore a new city. After walking to the Palacio Real, we decided to take a nap before getting dinner and going out. 
I woke up and felt like death but got dressed anyway. We went to a place called Ojala where the basement was an indoor beach bar! 
The tacos I got were not what I pictured when I ordered, but they turned out to be probably the best tacos I've ever had. They were 2 little tiny hard flat circles loaded with lettuce and guacamole and chicken and dressing and were surprisingly filling. We also tried the Sangria that Madrid is known for and it lived up to its reputation. It was such a cool dining experience!
Of course, Madrid is known for its night life so my friends wanted to check out the clubs- without stayig out all night because we were still tired. Not my thing, but since I'm here I figured I had to. Everywhere we walked, promoters jumped down our throats and tried to get us to go to their clubs. I'm not sure why we stopped to talk to one but before I knew it, Christian was leading us towards his club and promising free drinks and a bottle of champagne with admission. He said our tickets would work for the next three nights and would get us into a few different clubs, including Joy which we wanted to try anyway. It seemed like the perfect deal for 7€ (Except for me bc I would've been happier going home and sleeping) so we went along with it. Once we were inside the club, he disappeared before we found out that there was no champagne included, Joy was not an option, and our "free drink" was 99% ice and 1% juice. The club itself was the size of a big closet and there were maybe 15-20 people jammed inside. One girl tried to fight us because we "looked at her the wrong way" and then we left.
I've decided I hate Spain.
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