In Which Grace Commutes Solo To Madrid

I've been into central Madrid a handful of times whilst I've been here. A few times with friends, and a few times with my host family - but always with people, and with a specific purpose for being there.

Yesterday, finally feeling comfortable enough in my Spanish and my knowledge of Madrid's public transport system to do so, I ventured into the CBD by myself.

This is something that I've been keen to do for a while, to say the least. When I first heard that my host family placement was in the province of Madrid, I was stoked at the thought that maybe I would get the chance to explore the major streets of the capital of Spain alone.

That's not to say that I don't love exploring with other people. But going out into the culmination of centuries worth of history and culture and hubub by myself was such a different experiences. I could stop to look at the statues, plaques and parks that locals don't bother to glance at. I could wander, in an aimless and leisurely fashion, focussed more on the experiencing than the doing.

So that's exactly what I did, bussing and then metro-ing until I arrived in Plaza de España at about 2pm.

I took a stroll through a little park, stumbling across fountains, statues, some amazing markets, and some delicious take away coffee.

I ate lunch by myself in a small, beautiful cafe on the Gran Via. I ordered the somewhat typical bocadillo calamares, and dutifully refused the free glass of beer that came with it - opting instead for a Diet Coke. (I was also asked out by the waiter. That was... interesting.)

I went into shops, from the nine-storey megastore El Corte Inglés to the tiny, ancient little jewellery shops. I'll admit, I bought a fair bit yesterday - both for me and for some of you lucky things.

When it hit 8.30pm, still nowhere near dark, the nightlife began to emerge and so I felt as though I'd better skedaddle.

In my last couple of weeks here I'll be on exam break - while I don't have to take the exams, all my friends will be busy studying themselves silly. With Isabel still working and Daniel, Maria and Antonio still at school, I was worried I'd be rather bored. Now, knowing I can tackle Madrid, I'll take it upon myself to do all the stuff I'd been worried I wouldn't get the chance to - museums and art galleries, the Palace, the botanic gardens.

The experience was absolutely incredible. I can't really describe it well enough. I've not on this entire exchange felt more independent, or grown up. I was chilling in Madrid, guys!