Paris-London-Paris-Madrid

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It was a sudden itinerary change which brought me to Madrid. 

I stood in the Paris bus station at a loss as to where to go and very much pissed off about being there. It was a cold snow covered morning in January; the kind where the snow is more dirty slush than powder or ice. I hate the cold. Hmmm. Just so happened that buses to Spain were departing in the next ninety minutes. Bilbao. Barcelona. Madrid. Andalusia. Seville. Valencia. Hoping the interior of the country was hotter than the coastline I decided on the capital, Madrid. Bus ride was long and unmemorable -- save for the discomfort and porta potty smell typical of Eurolines.

We arrived at seven the following morning. I had no lodging reservations whatsoever and only a vague memory of where I stayed years ago. A quick study of the metro map brought it back: Gran Via. When I got to the spot, though, the hostel I once knew was no longer there. The McDonald's below is still there but not the hostel. In its place are boutique 'hostals'. The Reception was kind enough to let me search online for nearby youth hostels. I made a list of three and had luck with the first one: Barbieri International Hostel.  

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Barbieri International Hostel (Madrid)

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Conveniently enough, Barbieri Hostel is located on Calle Barbieri in the Chueca neighborhood smack between metro stops Gran Via and Chueca with the latter being slightly closer. Thankfully a working elevator can take you - and your big ass suitcases - to its 2nd floor landing where there is 24hr reception. The male Reception were very helpful, polite and spoke English. 

Per habit, I took a bed in a dorm room. Not only is linen included but the cleaning lady - surprise! - makes your bed while you're away and, unlike, many youth hostels, does not take all day or inconvenience you while cleaning the hostel. A nice, decent breakfast is offered for free. There is one public computer in addition to FREE wi-fi. Although Barbieri is a small hostel it does have a well stocked communal kitchen, comfortable commons lounge (with a good DVD library) and two gender specific bathrooms/showers. 

I was so comfortable at Barbieri I eventually extended my stay -- twice. 

PS: There is  also Barbieri Sol (Madrid) and a new location in Granada. 


C/ Barbieri #15
booking@barbierihostel.com

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Pto Vallarta, Mexico

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Life's a beach

 The Malecon with fat gringos (dia)

The Malecon with harder to see fat gringos (noche)

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Thus begins Mardi Gras!

Happy Mardi Gras!!

There was no Carnival parade this year in Puerto Vallarta because the homosexual community effed it up last year with their inability to differentiate a normal parade from a Pride parade. There is a difference between being fun and sexy, and just being vulgar and slutty. I heard from a few local sources last year's participants were grotesque & overtly sexual (and, naturally, non family-oriented) and, so, the city did not grant a permit this year. Kudos to them.

But, damn, check out my washboard abs non gras!

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My travelling clothes

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You know what not to wear in the airport - and what you have to take off in order to get through your three hour pre-arrival time "quickly" - but here's how I've gotten around the indignity of stripping down: DRESS THINLY.
To put it another way, leave little to the (dull)imagination of airport body scanners. I find it's the only way to fly...definitely expedites the check-points.

For some reason I didn't get a pat-down. Pity. 
Was actually looking forward to it.

 damn I make this look good

 double-checking the itinerary

  still waiting for my connection....

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Always time for prayer

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