My second day started like any other day when you roll out of bed at 3pm. After not sleeping on the flight over and trying to keep up with the natives on friday night I was in need of some serious sleep. I set out to start exploring the city a bit. I hopped on the metro and got off in the center of Madrid which I soon found to be a very touristy area (Sol). With backpack in tow, I just started walking aimlessly. I was starving but had yet to build up the confidence to sit down in a restaurant and order on my own...off a Spanish menu.

The first thing that will stand out to Americans is the sheer narrowness of many streets. It is both a blessing and a curse. The small little streets and alleys lend a very cozy feel to a city with 3 million residents and as a result it is much less intimidating. The problem is that most streets are one way and if they are marked as such, I haven´t seen it yet. As a result, I constantly catch myself dodging crazy Madrileños drivers as they race up behind me.

In an effort to loosen up my tongue and calm my fears of being heckled out of a restaurant because of my poor Spanish I stopped in a cafe and treated myself to a few cañas (small beers). After polishing a few of these off and able to fight off my incescent hunger no longer, I managed to sit down at a sidewalk cafe and get ready to order. At that moment, I realized that the place I choose only served pizza. So much for an authentic Spanish meal.

My second night in Madrid turned out to be just as interesting as the first. Less than 48 hours ago, I was sitting in my house in New Jersey watching tv. Now, I was sitting in a Jamaican bar with a Scot, a Spainaird and a fellow American playing foosball, watching some Rastafarians smoke hash. And good news for all you reggae fans out there...apparently, the ´Big Bamboo´in Madrid has the world´s best reggae fest "todos los miercoles"...