Hola from Madrid
The National Rust party convened at Gatwick for the long weekend trip I organised to Madrid: Bob Tickler, Daffers, Alan Tanner and Ivan Conway. Bob in particular does not have an intuitive feel for modern day travel. He dislikes having to print out tickets, does not want them on his mobile and loathes the shopping mall bustle that is the modern airport. No wonder Gatwick and Heathrow are competing so hard for a new runway (my money is on Gatwick) as passengers are forever spending money in some retail outlet, restaurant or bar.
Our carrier was Norwegian Air who are responsible for 20% of the flights from the airport. It’s a modern, budget no-frills airline and was completely full. Bob who likes his creature comforts could not understand the lack of a business class. Looking disparagingly at a fellow in the departure gate with his bare knees jutting out of his white jeans which were probably more expensive that Bob’s bespoked pair, he said he would like a dress code. We explained to him for the modern mainly young traveller cheapness is the driver and Club Europe and the like offer poor value. On arrival at Madrid airport of the transfer there was no sign. We were sent upstairs and downstairs and checked the meeting point. Bar Madrid. There is only one thing to do said Bob who bellowed “Air City, where are you?”
He then disappeared to the loo where he was discovered by the Air City representative. He in turn summoned the driver. We began to realise as we were now 30 minute post-arrival that patience is the key but this seemed a manuena job. The driver Sergio, a Mexican, did his best to give us an explanation of the barrios (suburbs) we passed which seemed masterpieces of ugly modern construction. My reading up of Madrid informed that the Generalissimo Franco built up some ugly Soviet style housing but this seemed no better. We arrived into the Salamanca quarter, the most elegant in Madrid which you might compare to Belgravia.
Out hotel Urso is situated in the Justicio neighbourhood named after the Palais de Justice. The hotel itself was clearly once a fine old building which despite its boutique quality preserved the ancien features with a fine old caged lift with banquette.
Bob had and contacted an old university Spanish flame Anna who actually once lived in the neighbourhood so we left it to her to book a restaurant. Madrilenos eat late so arriving at 9-30pm the restaurant Merci was only half full. I will leave Daffers to review this but I will say the gazpacho was the best I’ve ever tasted (Anna recommended the creamier variant) and all of us thought the cuisine of high quality. Anna explained that Jusricio is the Marylebone or Left bank of Madrid. It was our first ever excursion into Madrid but it was notable what we did not see: no estate agents, coffee chains, mobile shops but rather elegant little boutiques and trendy bars and restaurants. Although only 10-30pm British time we all felt tired and walked back to the hotel. A major day of sightseeing lies ahead.
