The big city
The train ride to Madrid was nice, but I almost missed the train because I underestimated how long it would take for the bus to get there. Sevilla had a great bus system that was cheap too but it was slow...I guess all busses are.
Once in Madrid I checked into my hostel, The Cat's Hostel. During the day it seemed that it was in a bit of a rough neighborhood but then I found out it is withen walking distance of the Prague Museum and the Royal Gardens, the Navel Museum, and all of the other museums near there.
I went to the Prague after a visit to the museum. The Prague is almost 4 floors worth of stuff. The basement and top floor only had a few things to offer. They had a Picasso exhibit going on which was great because they organized it by time so at the beginning you saw his early works and at the end you saw his later stuff. After seeing it in that way I think he realized that he couldn't draw like others so he started to smoke cocaine and the rest is history. Needless to say I'm not an art fan so I'm sure a lot of things slip past me.
From there I went to the Navel Museum only to find they were closed. After a quick stop in the hostel I started looking for a phone card. I've went through a few of them and all have been great until recently when I've been unable to call one number...it just won't go through. My thought was that it was the card but then I tried several other cards without success so I just ended up using the cards up on those people I could get in touch with. Then it was dinner time.
By now it was 1230 in the morning and everything was hopping. The restaurants were definatly still open which I still can't get over. Dinner was at an italian joint that was small but the food was great. I really like how they put tuna fish in their salads. I've had several salads in Spain where they did that and it was done in France too. I'll have to try it at home and see how it goes.
A nice full day. I`m here until I fly back to Dublin on the 9th so I hope to spend time relaxing, going to the zoo, theme park etc.
When I first found the hostel I felt it was in a rough neighborhood. It is just off of Calle de Atocha which is a major street you can find easily from the train station. I took the metro subway up and finding the hostel was's too difficult.
They use an electronic key system that is unlike any I've seen elsewhere. It's about the size of a small watch and it comes with a band that you could put around your wrist if you wanted to. Like hotel keys it will only allow you in certain places. Obviously it lets you in the main door and your room but it also locks your locker which is nice so you don't have to think about a key. The actual mechinisms are a bit strange but once you get used to them they're nice.
There are 4 internet computers for free, a bar that opens at night, breakfast, and vending machines that serve water, beer, and sodas at great prices.
The hostel provides all of your bed linen but you have to request the top sheet. Its free just ask. They will loan you a towel for 1€.
The rooms are air conditioned but the one in my room made a strange vibrating noise that made it difficult to sleep.
The hostel, I found out, is located very close to a lot of night life. There's a movie theater just up the street and a lot of bars, resturants, and dance clubs, very close. The hostel itself is just off the beaten track though and even I started looking over my shoulder as I made my way back home after dinner.
For wash facilities if you're in a dorm then there are bathrooms for men and women. The showers are small stalls with closing doors but barelyl enough space to wash, let alone towel dry so do not expect a lot of privacy. I actually found myself changing in the dorm room when the girls were away as they are mixed dorms.
All and all I don't mind this hostel but based on my previous expriences I would be suprised if there wasn't better at around the same price. I would suggest that travellers look for other options and use this as a back up.
