Category Archives: General

2015 Christmas in Madrid

In Madrid, and in Spain in general, the Christmas holiday lasts roughly two weeks. Some families celebrate Santa Claus “Papá Noel” on the 25th of December while other families celebrate the Three Wise Men “Los Reyes Magos” on the 6th … Continue reading

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Assimilate or Perish as an Expatriate in Spain

If you’re in an environment created by you, like your own house where you control everything, be happy as a hermit crab. But if you live outside in the real world, be prepared for things that rock your psychological boat, … Continue reading

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Review: Hostal El Pilar near Puerta del Sol Madrid

A few weekends ago, early June 2013, I spent Friday and Saturday night in downtown Madrid while a friend was visiting. I’d reserved Hostal El Pilar on Calle de Carretas, 13, just about 80 meters from the Puerta del Sol’s … Continue reading

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Anti-Fluff Blogs or Rainy Monday Mornings in Madrid

You know what they say, if you can’t talk about anything else, you can always talk about the weather. Today is Monday, the day I usually do the laundry and hang them out to dry – on the rooftop clotheslines … Continue reading

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15 Year Anniversary for MadridMan.com

Today, 20 July 2012, is MadridMan.com‘s 15-Year Anniversary. MadridMan.com is now a maturing teenager, but still has a lot of growing up to do. JUST WAIT until he gets into his 20s! The domain name was registered on this date … Continue reading

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English-Speaking Friends Return to Home Countries

This is not a tourism-focused blog entry. Clearly! But I often have “feelings”, other experiences, which really have nothing to do with tourism. I guess any non-Spanish-native has these longings, these deep, inexplicable yearnings for sound, safe, familiar grounds. This, … Continue reading

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Feels Like Home When Merchants Know Your Name

Okay. The local merchants don’t really know my name, but they know ME and that’s what counts. How can a foreigner feel any more “at home” than when the merchants, at which the weekly purchases are made, know your face, … Continue reading

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Rick Steves Spain 2012 Recommends MadridMan

Imagine my thrill last November in a Columbus, Ohio Barnes & Noble bookstore during my annual USA visit, leafing through the “Rick Steves’ Spain 2012” book which recommended MadridMan.com!! He wrote: “Helpful Website: MadridMan.com is run with passion by American [MadridMan] … Continue reading

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Passport Renewal at Madrid’s US Embassy

The other day I had the pleasure of renewing my nearly-expired US Passport at the US Embassy in Madrid on Calle Serrano, 75. And it REALLY was a pleasure! I was surprised how fast, easy, and efficient it was. I’m … Continue reading

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Happy Birthday, USA, from an American in Spain!

I awoke this morning and was going about my daily routine when it dawned on me, probably at about 9:30am, “HEY! This is the 4th of July!” For some reason the song “God Bless America” came to mind so I … Continue reading

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Puerta del Sol Madrid Demonstrations, Elections 2011

  Politics & religion are two issues they say never to discuss when traveling abroad as they’ll only cause problems. Discussion and debate, while necessary, is also exhaustive and requires effort and patience. The tens of thousands of people in … Continue reading

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Brit Harry Redknapp “Mugged” in Madrid

A British friend here in Madrid brought to our attention (on the MadridMan’s ALL SPAIN Message Board) an article published on Sky News regarding Harry Redknapp, the Tottenham Hotspur manager (of football/soccer in North London), who had his wallet stolen … Continue reading

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5-Year Anniversary Living in Madrid

The day pretty much came and went without any fanfare. I realized it sometime late in the night although it had crossed my mind several times throughout the month of December 2010. On December 30, 2005, 40-year old “MadridMan” arrived … Continue reading

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“Fútbol” in Madrid: Guest Blog, American Perspective

The following is a “guest blog” by Susan from Michigan USA, the first guest blog on MadridMan’s Madrid Blog. Enjoy! Last April 2010, my 16 year old son and I traveled to Madrid for spring break. We left behind the … Continue reading

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NEW BLOG for MadridMan.com

After 3 years of (nearly) faithful service by the MovableTye blog publisher, MadridMan has switched teams to WordPress. As you see, I still need to tweak a number of things, choose an appropriate “Theme” (but I’ll likely create my own), … Continue reading

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158 Year Old Libreria Hernandez Bookstore to Close in Madrid

Librería Hernández Religious Bookstore in Madrid will close this year after 158 years of service. Incredible, isn’t it, that any business, let alone a RELIGIOUS bookstore, could survive so long. Religious stores, at least for me, have always been a … Continue reading

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1835 Time Capsule Found in Madrid Statue

While extracted today, a (potentially) 174 year old lead box was discovered about a month ago from the pedestal of the statue of Miguel de Cervantes, author of the famed Don Quijote novel. The Cervantes statue, the first one in … Continue reading

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3 Days Before Thanksgiving in Madrid

“The American Store” in Madrid is great. They have absolutely everything – WHEN they have it, that is. I took the 30-minute walk+metro+walk trip to the store next to the Hospital Clínico San Carlos today (metro Moncloa), all bubbly and … Continue reading

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Last Day of October 2009 in Madrid

Today’s Halloween, we’ve already changed our clocks back 1-hour, and the temperatures are getting a little cooler – but only a little. Some of the leaves have gone from green to brown, seemingly overnight, bypassing the oranges, reds, and yellows … Continue reading

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Sunday Nights in Madrid

Sunday nights in Madrid can be pretty relaxed. You know you have to get up early (or not) to work the next day but you still have some wonderful memories of a nice weekend fresh in your mind. So how … Continue reading

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