Day 4: Madrid

I didn't do much today. Went out with the hostel last night and slept in for most of the day. Strolled around Plaza Sol and did some people watching, which for me means going up to random people and taking their pictures. I use the 24mm so you really need to muster up some courage and get up really close. How close? Close enough that the polite thing is to ask for their permission. One trick I tend to use most of the time is take a picture and pretend that I was taking a picture of something/someone next to or behind the actually subject. Sneaky, but you get to avoid the whole death stare situation.

 At night I went on a self-guided tapas tour with a bunch of cool people I met at the hostel. Three Canadians, two Americans and a lone European. Basically it was all of us hopping from bar to bar trying different dishes, following this list the girls found online. Some were great places but some were shockingly expensive you wonder how the list came from a backpacking site. Students do not pay 2 euros for one piece of croqueta.

The Euro football is on so we ended up in a bar absolutely packed with people. Spain were playing Ireland so every bar in Madrid seem to be overflowing with people, so full that they leak out on to the streets. Atmosphere was electric. People were reacting to every pass and attempt. When the Spanish scored, they jumped out of their seats with joy chanting the victory tune. Everyone is best friends, with hugs exchanged between complete strangers, united by football. 

I honestly felt bad for the Irish, having some of them as close friends. I was waiting for the moment where Ireland would score one goal and see the crowd's reaction when the lone Irish group in the bar erupts in cheer. Awkward moment that could've been. The Spanish love their football, and this is not limited to just the lads. You see such a diverse bunch of people; boy, girls, families, young and old.