El Campo de Cebada

Taken by Giselle Helene Elizabeth Boxer and Mia Georgevic 

A MUST SEE IN THE LA LATINA DISTRICT!

In 1861, this area used to home one of Madrid's largest outdoor and indoor markets. In the 20th century, the government had plans to rebuild this area, but plans fell through due to the Spanish economic crisis and lack of investment. However, in 2011, the residents of La Latina grouped together to create plans for the unused space. It is now a public area for social gatherings and outdoor activities. If you go on the website, http://elcampodecebada.org, you can see the listings of debates, theatre performances and musical gatherings which are held here.

The space was quickly cleaned up and equipped with basic equipment, and basketball and football pitches were installed. The grey of the cement was soon replaced by colours and graffiti produced by volunteer painters and local artists. The concrete ground provides children with a safe area for skating and riding their bicycles. Street furniture was created out of recycled materials and this activity then gave rise to “handmade temporary urban design” workshops. In the summer there is even a huge inflatable pool for public use! 

Instead of being left as an indefinitely abandoned, inaccessible empty space, it is now a modern, urban area which promotes freedom of expression. For the local residents, “El Campo de Cebada” is a way of speaking out against indifference, proving that it is possible to shape a city together, and that there is life beyond urban planning. 

The area is just outside La Latina station, but is rather hidden. If you look through the peep holes in the wall, you won't believe what is in front of your eyes!

Instagram Shots of Madrid

Taken by Laura Molineux 

Madrid Farmers Market

Madrid’s Cámera Agraria located in the stunning area of Casa del Campo is held on the first weekend of every month, and shouldn't be missed! There are many vendors selling fresh, delicious produce from the region. 

It was a glorious summers day, and despite the sore heads and icky tummies (we were hungover again…only on your year abroad once though ey!) we ventured to Lago metro stop in search of the June Farmers Market. The area was beautiful, so green and peaceful, despite only being 20 minutes from the centre of the capital. We were greeted with a stand that allowed us to buy vouchers in exchange for multiple glasses of wine from the local vineyards. IDEAL! The only thing to get rid of a sore head is to drink more! We walked round each stand, sampling cheese, meats, fruits, pastries, liquors, honey and some other bits and bobs which I had never tried before. I'm a bit of a fussy eater, but since being in Madrid, I have really opened up my horizons to new foods. Everything was so yummy, apart from the anchovies on toast. (YUK!) There are also stands selling the best quality meat and vegetables from the local farms. It's a real shame that I didn't visit the market before, because I would have loved to create some dishes with these ingredients. 

Definitely worth a visit if you are in Madrid. One tip, get down early if you are greedy like me and want to make the most of the samples! 

Madrid Snaps

Taken By Sarah Rebecca Wilkie

What Is/Is Not Socially Acceptable In Madrid?

What Is Socially Acceptable in Madrid?

1. Wearing sunglasses indoors, especially on the metro. The Spanish are all about creating that mysterious, too cool for school look... I just do it when I'm looking rough. 

2. Staring, especially on the Metro. Cast your eyes on someone on the Metro, look at them up and down, check out what they are wearing, stare into their eyes, and don't worry if they spot you… keep looking and don't get scared. 

3. Being late. In Madrid you should never be on time for anything. Being on time is just not cool here. 

4. Kissing twice on the cheek when you greet someone. This is the cause of many awkward moments when someone only goes for one kiss, and you are left hovering in their personal space with your lips pursed ready for another one. 

5. Being slow. Everyone in Madrid, whether young or old, walks at the pace of a tortoise. In England everyone always seems to be in a rush, but in Spain, the pace of life is extremely slow. I have places to be, people to see, and I just want to kick them up the hiney and tell them to move out of the way!

What is NOT Socially Acceptable in Madrid?

1. Non-Spanish Clothing. Women, don't wear anything else but jeans and parka coats, no matter what time of year it is. Even in the blistering heat, it's just not socially acceptable to get your pins/cleavage out. If you dare try, I promise you will spend your whole day trying to cover up your skin as you receive disapproving looks off old women, and unwanted attention from men. Unless you like that greasy, slimey, tracksuit wearing fella who is desperately trying to chat you up. 

2. Being polite. Spanish people are not polite, and they don't do queues. Every man is out for themselves. Since moving here I've realised that English people are incredibly polite, and I love that. The English are forever saying sorry, queueing patiently and giving up their seat on public transport. The Spanish on the other hand, are quite the opposite. 

3. Going out early. You shouldn't be going to a club in Madrid until at least 3am. PRO - The Metro will be open when you leave the club. CON - You will have been drinking from 11pm until 7am, and by this time, you probably won't even know what a Metro is...

Mondo/Music

Much to my delight, Madrid's electronic music scene is huge. (I'm so edgy la la la) I've been lucky enough to see some awesome DJs here, including Jamie Jones, Danny Daze, Maya Jane Coles, DJ Zinc, Pachanga Boys, XXXY etc. Solomun and Art Department were also meant to play in Madrid, but never turned up...

In my opinion, Mondo is the best place to go in Madrid if you are into electronic/house music. It's very central, only 5 minutes walk from Puerta del Sol. The programme each month never fails to impress, with some of the biggest DJ's flying into Madrid to showcase their stuff. Next week, on the 16th May, we are going to see Joy Orbison at Mondo which I'm very excited about.

My housemates Greg and Charlie have also massively influenced my taste in music after they took up DJ-ing when they arrived in Madrid. Their career was short-lived, but incredibly exciting. They played at Taboó many times, as well as house parties. One particularly memorable week was the week before they played in the main room in Taboó. They practiced all day, everyday, until I was dying to hear some acoustic music without the housey beat. It all paid off though, the audience absolutely loved them and I was a very proud of my boys! I really hope they continue to DJ in Nottingham next year.

Beach Party!

Taken at Laydown in Valencia by Caroline Marzano

Laydown

Feeling a bit worse for wear, we decided to make our way down to the beach, with lots of hangover food, for an afternoon of sunbathing. (living the dream!) We got our tan on for about 2 hours, then got very bored so decided it was time for Megan's ice cream of the day. As we got to the ice-cream van we started to hear some really good tunes, and ended up following the music. 

Somehow we stumbled across an absolute winner. It was a Moet and Chandon champagne bar, all outside, with white beds. Not usually my cup of tea, but I had a whale of a time. Bikini's and maxi skirts were adorned, as well as a rather cringe flat cap that I found on the beach. We hastily got the Gin and Tonics in.. hare of the dog and all that jazz. 4 hours later we were all overcome with this huge urge to pretend we were Shakira, dancing to African Tribal music in front of about 50 people. 

We really did not want to leave this place. With views of the Puerto, huge white boats, bright blue sea and sky, surrounded by palm trees, everything was just perfect.  

We left the bar, slightly disheartened as we had a dinner reservation to rush back for. We just wanted to be there all night. When i returned home I searched for the bar in Google and realised that that day was their opening weekend again for the summer. 

This place really is a MUST SEE in Valencia, if you are looking for a chilled bar, near the beach, with some ridiculous tunes, then this place is everything you could wish for, and more.  

Valencia!

Taken by Caroline Marzano

What an unbelievable bank holiday I have had! The journey started off a bit shakey, turning 

up at the bus station at 7.01am, when our bus was meant to leave at 7. We somehow managed to get down to Valencia without any issues, with lots of hungry tums, and over excited young ladies.  As we bounded off the bus into the sunshine, we soon realised that Caroline had left her £300 glasses on her seat. TRAGIC. We had many other setbacks after that, including Megan's card nearly being swallowed, eating an awful burger by the beach, waiting outside a restaurant for 1 and a half hours until it opened, later to be told that they were fully booked for the evening. Despite a few minor glitches, I have had a very eventful, hilarious, relaxing time. 

My next few posts will be photos from Valencia and reviews on a few restaurants which we visited.  

Ginger

Situated on Plaza del Ángel just up the road from Sol. Stunning in the evening, very impressive at night, with the whole area lit up with lilac lights.

Traditional Mediterranean cuisine with a contemporary twist.

Astonishingly low prices for the prime location, luxurious art deco surroundings and gourmet menu. The meal was immaculately presented and delicious, the service polite and attentive and the bill wasn't too hefty either. 

Reservations are required, but there is a very quick turnover, so you won't be waiting long for a table. 

Recommendations:

Steak with mash and aubergine mousse

Artichoke salad with shavings of Jamón Iberico

Deep fried octopus in a crispy batter

Prawn Tempura