Techno Tapas y Futbol

Well we got off OK, barring the hour long circling of the sky above Madrid - which was our first introduction to the Spanish predeliction for keeping you waiting. Destinacion Uno - Madrid, with our own personal tour guide, who speaks "ra lingo". Well done Gav we were most impressed! Boating on the Buon Retiro lake, culture surfing at the Prado and the Reina Sofia and, most importantly of all, football heaven at the Bernabeu. Even Laura was impressed with the cushions for hire and the patio heaters on the roof!

First night syndrome kicked in big style, with a few early beers ending up leaving us desperately searching for food at midnight. The relief we experienced when we found a bar still serving tapas, was only tempered by the high volume hardcore techno that we had to suffer!

Day 2 started weirdly when an early morning trip to the Bernabeu led to us parting with 250 euros to a tout outside the ground in the desperate hope that the 4 pieces of paper we´d just bought would get us in to the sell out ´el derby´ that night. Although the day was spent gazing at art in the Prado, our real thoughts were with our collective stupidity in allowing ourselves to be so easily ripped off. Imagine our suprise when the black market tickets actually allowed us through the turnstiles that evening - although a further few tense moments were spent hoping that the "real" ticket holders wouldn´t come and demand our seats!

A pre-match beer, outside the ground: