First Few Days in Madrid

Hey guys! I know, I know. It's been a really long time since my last post! I apologize as it has been a very stressful time packing and getting everything sorted to come here to Madrid. So, as eluded to by the title of this post, I am now officially living in Madrid! I don't start university over here for another day. For the past few days I've just been re-familiarizing myself with the area, finding out how to get from A to B and of course, enjoying some sun. 
So lets start from the top!
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Tuesday evening was a pretty stressful time in my house. Getting the rest of the packing done, making sure that all the tickets were in check and everything was set to go. My father and my sister took a nap before the drive from Galway to Dublin so that they wouldn't have to sleep on the plane. I finished my packing and got myself ready to go. In the week or two leading up to Madrid, I had already packed my closet and all my stuff to go over. Fortunately, I had some pairs of shorts. I mean, why would I need shorts in Ireland. So luckily I had some! So the last hour or two at home was spent with my dog, because I'll miss her so much.
It came around to go time to get up and head off to the airport. Leaving my town at around 1:30 am as we had a red eye flight at 6:15 am. I'm a nocturnal sort of person, so staying awake through the drive wasn't particularly difficult. We drove on the old Dublin road from Tuam towards Ballinasloe as we thought there would be a 24 hour store open there. Unfortunately, going to Ballinasloe proved to be a bit of a waste of time as the store was closed. We drove onto the motorway at Ballinasloe as it was way quicker. Legit, an hour and half later, we were coming into the Dublin and coming up to the exits for the airport. My dad is a good driver! We pulled into our parking space in the blue zone. My father booked the parking online at the Dublin Airport (https://www.dublinairport.com/). From this parking zone, it was easy to get on the park and ride bus that would then drive you to the door of the terminal. 
We checked in our bags and headed through security. Quick and easy pass through security, which is always nice. And then, straight into Starbucks. The Starbucks in Dublin Airport is very comfortable and a nice waiting area whilst waiting for the gate to appear. We waiting for an hour or so and then
headed down towards the gate. We waiting for another 45 minutes before the gate opened. It didn't take long for the boarding to start and the safety demonstration to begin before take-off. Annnnnnnd off we went into the skies and the rest of the flight is a bit so and so as I was in and out of sleep. 
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Wednesday. We landed in Madrid just after 10 and waited for our taxi to come get us. We waited and looked around for a little while and then eventually, the taxi came for us. We drove out from the airport in through the outer part of Madrid to where my father in my sister were staying in an area called "Alsacia". The taxi dropped us off at the Silken Torre Garden Hotel. This hotel is basic enough, Bed. 4 walls. Toilet and has a very nice view of Madrid. However, the hotel doesn't have a pool, a proper bar or a proper restaurant. But staying a couple of days, it does the job quite alright. From there, we took a trip to town where we had a look around Sol (the central plaza of Madrid), went for some food in El Busco (a lovely restaurant near Sol) and from there we headed down towards the Palacio Real, the Royal Palace of Madrid. A palace 3 or 4 times the size of Buckingham

Palace. The Palacio Real is a beautiful landmark in Madrid, boasting the wealth of old Spain and shows how lush the life of the royal family once was. Walking from the Palacio, we walked towards and in around the Plaza Espana. Considering out jet lag and the soaring heat in Madrid, we decided to head back to Alsacia and get some food. Luckily, just across the street from Alsacia station was a massive Carrefour shopping mall where we got some shopping and then went back to the hotel room. That evening, I received the keys to my own flat in a different side of Madrid and decided to turn in.
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Thursday. I met my father and sister in their hotel and we all headed into Madrid center to go shopping. We excited at Banco de España station, near to Gran Via and around near Prado. We walked towards Gran Via, looking the the amazing building on the way up. The government buildings, the Metropolis building and the various other places. We made our way to Gran Via where my sister was looking to find Primark. The Primark in Madrid is the largest in Europe and it really is. 5 massive floors of clothes. It was quite amazing to see. I purchased a few

essentials for university and some clothes to wear and then headed back towards Sol. From Sol, we got a bit hungry and decided to have a bit of Subway in La Latina. Sure why not. It hit the spot on such a lovely day. The cool drink and nice food was just nice. After lunch, we continued shopping until my feet started to get sore, so off I went to my apartment where I crashed for the night. Exciting, I know!
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Friday. Friday was pretty lazy day for me. My family decided to take a trip to the Santiago Bernabeu stadium, home of Real Madrid. They had a really great time, looking around the stadium, in the
trophy room and taking pictures of the pitch. They spent a good while there before heading back to the center. From there, I met them at the Banco de España station. My father wanted to go and visit an Irish bar. The James Joyce Irish bar in Madrid, near the Banco de España is quite a nice Irish bar, ran by Irish people and has a very friendly and helpful staff. We had our lunch and a few drinks. I had the cottage pie, my sister had the bacon and leek pie and my father had the traditional fish and chips. The food went down really well with some cold Kopperbergs. After chatting and eating, we decided to head back to our places and take a well deserved siesta. 
In the evening, we decided to meet up again and head back to the James Joyce bar for some dinner and listen to the live music. We arrived shortly after 10pm and ordered our food. Chicken goujons, chicken wings and a beef burger. All of which were really delicious. The evening was a nice last night for my family in Madrid. Shortly after 12 we all were feeling quite tired and decided to head back home. 
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Saturday. The last day for my father and sister in Madrid. After they checked out, I made my way into town where I met them at the Irish bar where they were enjoying some cool drinks as the temperature kept on climbing. We had no real plan for the day except try and find some souvenirs for some family back in Ireland. We made our way through town, taking in the sights of Madrid. Through Gran Via and in around Sol. We decided then that it would be a nice idea to head to Retiro Park and chill out for a while. At this point it started

feeling even hottter. We caught a glimpse of a thermometre which stated that it was a whopping 38 degrees outside. We made our way to Retiro Park. This park is one of my favorite places in Madrid. It is so nice to just lie out in the grass and chill under the trees and let the breeze just wash over you. After an hour in the park, it came time for my family to leave Madrid. I went with them to collect their luggage from the Irish bar and went with
them to their bus. Off they went back to Ireland. 
After they left, I met up with a friend. We both wanted Guinness so we went to the Irish bar which serve guinness and had a really nice evening in the Irish bar. I stayed at my friends house that night which is near the Palacio Real, so the next morning, it was nice to wake up and go for a walk around the gardens of the palace.
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So to sum up the past few days in Madrid. I've revisited and became familiar with Madrid. Had my family here. Great food. Met some really amazing people. And it's safe to say, I'm going to really enjoy living here.