Throughout this Eurotrip 2022, I’ve been museum-hopping and visiting as many spots as I could. After all, Barcelona and Paris spoiled me with all of the art, sight seeing, and vegan food that I could possibly get my hands on! When you’ve been on the go like this for weeks, it can be sensory overload. By the time I got to Madrid, I decided to scale back a bit.

In Barcelona, the main language is Catalan, and the locals speak Spanish and English. Here in Madrid, the locals speak mostly Spanish. Not everyone knows English, which gives me the perfect opportunity to practice Spanish.

I’ve been relearning Spanish recently. I’ve even changed my phone’s language to Spanish. I’ve been able to request vegan meals at hotels, read travel restrictions, and follow instructions in Spanish—even if it takes longer. It’s still hard to listen or speak, since the staccato vocalization of the language makes me miss things. Nonetheless, the locals seem pleasantly surprised when I’m trying.

Where I Stayed in Madrid

Usually I’ve been staying in hostels because it’s cheaper. For this Eurotrip 2022, I’ve been in several capsule cabins. This one in Madrid is by far my favorite.

Oxygen Hostel (not sponsored—I just really liked this place a lot) have futuristic cabins that look just like a space pod! You unlock the cabin with a key card. Inside, there are USB ports, a shelf to put small things, and two knobs to change the color of the lights. The bed was firm and comfy.

It felt like there was a place carved out in the universe just for me for a few days, a space pod offering somewhere warm and safe. Can I just stay here forever?

The Neighborhood Lavapiés in Madrid

I only used the metro three times, because everything else was within half an hour’s walk. There was a distinct multicultural neighborhood close by called Lavapiés, a melting pot of cultures and traditions such as Italian, pan-African, Indian, Thai, and more. The narrow, maze-like cobblestone streets are lined with many shops and eateries. Lavapiés also borders the city center, and is near many museums.

The Art Museums

Madrid is rife with art and history. Since I was slowing down, I picked just two museums to go: the Reina Sofia and the Prado.

Reina Sofía

If you want to see more modern and contemporary artwork, the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía has you covered. This museum has four floors of art, with mostly Spanish work from the Modern Era to the present day.

Most importantly, the Reina Sofía features artwork from the modernist masters, Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali.

I even saw Picasso’s “Guernica,” the renowned black-and-white Cubist painting, on display. Personally, I’ve never been a fan of Picasso’s work. I understand why his work is so famous–he did invent the modern art movement, Cubism, after all. Breaking traditional practices like this laid the foundation of the Modern Art era, so art wasn’t the same after that. But looking at his pieces is jarring. There. I said it.

But if it made me feel something visceral, then it must be effective at driving its point home. Isn’t that what art is supposed to do?

Salvador Dalí was another Modernist master painter, a pioneer of Surrealism–which is characterized by dreamlike imagery and symbolism. Unlike Picasso, I’ve always appreciated Dalí as an artist. In fact, his work has influenced some of my own when I painted more back in the day. Dalí painted metaphors that were often up to interpretation, but many times his paintings sent important messages across.

Much of the contemporary work had political messages, whether it’s about the fight for racial equality in the United States, or people taking to the streets in Perú and Chile to protest against social inequality. Many other exhibits had works about Indigenous rights in Latin America, especially about the tribes fighting against capitalist exploitation in the Amazon rain forest in Brazil.

Museo Nacional del Prado

The Museo Nacional del Prado is considered one of the finest art museums in the world, showcasing extensive works from the 12th to 20th century. The artists include Francisco Goya, Diego Velazquez, Bosch, and many more.

In my art history classes, we talked about Velazquez’ and Goya’s works a lot. Velazquez was especially known for his keen details, bold brushwork, and intriguing compositions in his paintings, such as the famous “Las Meniñas” painting.

If you appreciate European art, the Prado should be on your list.

Spanish Cats Are Just as Adorable

In Madrid, I went to one cat cafe to get my cat fix.

La Gatoteca isn’t quite so much a cat cafe as it is an adoption center. A free drink is included with the admission, though. This place has so many friendly cats, that it’s so tempting to try and pet all of them.

One of the kitties crawled right into my lap and stayed there for nearly the entire hour. Her happy little purrs were soothing as she nuzzled my hand. Sometimes she would look at me with a knowing gaze, like I’m her chosen one. I almost wanted to take her home! My partner and our cat probably would object, though. 😉

When the Hard Stuff Happens Back Home

Speaking of cats, later that evening, my BFF Brad called to talk about his kitty, Mouse.

I met Mouse almost nine years ago. She and Brad have been through so much together in life. She was a no-nonsense cat with a soft side that she reserves for her chosen people. I was fortunate to be one. And so, she became a part of my family.

Brad invited me to see Mouse and Bug (his other cat) before my trip, but I was quarantining. I told him that I could see them when I return.

After I had left, Mouse’s condition had suddenly deteriorated, and there was nothing left that anyone could do this time. She wasn’t going to hold out long enough for my return. Now I’m never going to pet or snuggle her again.

It’s hard being half a world away when receiving devastating news like this. The best I could do is be with Brad via video chat while Mouse passed over the Rainbow Bridge.

Mouse lived a long life of 18 years. While she preferred to stay out of the spotlight, she was one of the best cats I’ve ever known.

The Vegan Food in Madrid

I took the rest of Madrid easy after Mouse’s passing. I still wanted to try various places to eat, if only just to give myself a little boost.

Everywhere in Madrid, there are bars and restaurants lining the streets. Madrid has plenty of vegan options; many restaurants will offer a thing or two. When you take a closer look, the vegan restaurants invite you to partake in a colorful meal.

Like Barcelona, many places in Madrid:

• Close in the mid-afternoon as part of the traditional siesta, or afternoon nap.
• Some restaurants require a reservation, while many do not. The places near the city center are most likely full, and there may not be an empty table waiting for you—as was my experience.

These are my favorites.

Freedom Cakes

Freedom Cakes is known for their colorful meals, such as rainbow vegan hamburgers. They have a nice selection of cakes and cupcakes—as is their namesake. There wasn’t a table available when I went in, but I did leave with this perfect unicorn cupcake.

Sanissimo

Sanissimo is a trendy, tropical-themed vegan bistro with positive energy, which matches the quality of its nutrient-dense food. They have several salads, sandwiches, and wraps to choose from. All of it looked so good! Fortunately, their menu has pictures of some of the dishes so you have an idea of what looks good.

I got the Hottie Salad, and it made me feel just as good as its namesake. This salad had seasoned chickpeas, lentils, sliced baked potatoes, and fresh tomatoes all on a bed of greens. It was so packed with protein and nutrients that I stayed full throughout the night.

Mad Mad Vegan

Mad Mad Vegan makes typical vegan bar food, like these loaded nachos. Vegan cheese, black beans, plant-based carne, pickled red onions, pico de gallo, and a dollop of guacamole smother a bed of yellow corn chips. I’ve had many vegan nachos, and the Spanish do not mess around.

These nachos are definitely meant for sharing; I could only finish half of it and had to take the rest in a box.

PLANTAMIENTOS

Set in an indoor market, PLANTAMIENTOS offers small hearty meals. The dish I had was a kind of thick cold stew of sweet potatoes and Swiss chard, plus a side of warm bread. If you choose to eat there, there’s counter space to enjoy your meal.

El Rastro de Madrid Outdoor Market

If you love outdoor markets, then look no further than El Rastro, one of the largest Sunday markets in Europe. Located near the city center, you can stroll down the rows of friendly vendors and find all sorts of gifts for friends, or for yourself: colorful ceramic souvenirs, hand-carved wooden cats, punk accessories, vintage goods, cheap clothes, and more. It can get very crowded, but the vibes are good and welcoming.

Last Thoughts About Madrid

Madrid isn’t quite like Barcelona, but respite is what I needed.

I’m glad that I took it easy, especially with the news about Mouse. My time in Madrid was more leisurely and relaxed, instead of being on the go, go, go. I’m also glad that I could use Spanish more this time. The space capsule always made me feel welcome, offering a comfortable place to rest at the end of the day.

After Madrid, I’m taking the eight-hour bus ride to Lisbon, Portugal. I have heard many great things about Lisbon, so I will definitely report back my findings!