HOSTAL MADRID 2007

That's the Spirit!!

2007-09-21T00:11:00.000+01:00

It couldn't have been left uncommented...

The first ever amateur team, being qualified to the Rugby World Cup... Some I have played with when I was younger, I am deeply happy for them to see them out on the field, playing their guts out.
Some are doctors and vets, others lawyers and students, but they all share one passion, and that is wearing that red shirt.

Here are some reviews, and learn how you should sing your national anthem. Viva os LOBOS!!

vs Scotland:

http://www.lequipe.fr/Rugby/breves2007/20070909_193958Dev.html

(Fra)

http://dn.sapo.pt/2007/09/10/desporto/derrota_natural_belisca_bela_exibica.html

(Por)

http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/home/fixtures/round=100/match=10079/analysis.html#portugal+leave+scotland+bruised

(Eng)

vs New Zealand:

http://rugby2007.fr.msn.com/breves2007/20070915_144140Dev.html

(Fra)

http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/home/fixtures/round=100/match=10086/report.html#new+zealand+defeat+portugal

(Eng)

vs Italy (I was there!!):

http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/home/fixtures/round=100/match=10093/analysis.html#respect+revenge+portugal

(Eng)

http://www.record.pt/noticia.asp?id=758499&idCanal=2438

(Por)

vs Romania:

Finally:

http://www.planetrugby.com/Story/0,18259,3551_2755781,00.html

http://worldcup.planet-rugby.com/Story/0,21043,13175_2755616,00.html

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/7009670.stm

http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/home/fixtures/round=100/match=10102/report.html#romania+recover+beat+portugal

Well done boys!

Tribute to Paris

2007-08-15T03:20:00.000+01:00

It's been just over a year ago I left The City of Lights, where I spent another year of this lifetime experience of self-discovery. Many, including me, believe that living in a new place is rewarding because, by trying to adapt, create roots and memories, you find yourself and at the same time, you are just simply yourself. That is what drives me at the start of each experience. It is fulfilling, and that is exactly what Paris was.

After a rough start, even though I was feeling as much as a local as it gets, I started entering in this trail of discovering the city, the best it had to offer (and there is so much!), its people, and making the most out of that, along with my family and my friends.
A nonstop period of attending events, meeting new people, consolidating old friendships and contacts, reassuring family ties, traveling, and professional achievement.
All this accompanied all along by croissants, steaks tartares, brie, kyr royal and culs secs!

I had a very edifying experience in the City of Romance (experienced that too!), both personally and professionally. I wanted to make sure I would mark this with a post and its reflecting images.

Maboys in Madrid - Rome!

2007-08-14T00:44:00.000+01:00

Sorry for the late posting action chaps, but when in holidays...

So two weeks after being in London, Maboy Stav and Maboy Broomy made sure they'd show a good reply and hopped over to Tapas Land: La Riviera.

So 1st night, where to go? La Riviera!
Great night out, with good house (for a change!), and seeing Broomy trying to make good use of his Spanish linguistics... Haha!

After chilling all day by the Retiro (and not La Riviera Stav!), because when in Madrid, do as the Romans do... We had an awesome meal at Le Marquis, then onto the inevitable Pacha!

Stav leave it! You got your nicotine patch on already! (wuss)

To complete the stereotyped but intense tour, the Sunday @ La Latina with the company of André was experienced followed by probably one of the best nights in Madrid so far! Gilles Peterson playing at the sky bar of Design Hotel Puerta America, funky groovy crowd, workmate Neil, my house mate Tiago and his friend joining us for the party! And being in Madrid and even though it being a Sunday, the night couldn't stop there and we had a taste of Serrano 41, packed to maximum capacity with hip hop addicts, this city doesn't sleep!

Hey that's Gilles Peterson!

Monday, classic meal at Maison Blanche with JC, which obviously didn't end there either...

It was great having you maboys!

Last Business Trip for a While...

2007-07-11T00:03:00.001+01:00

I went to London almost on a last minute call, to meet with some people on a Saturday in Bath, for work purposes. I was really looking forward to it. I knew it would be a lot of fun, and it was!

I stayed at Stav's in Notting Hill. The Turk's housemate was away for the weekend, Glastonbury (which once again this year was accompanied with rain). Nice pad Stav!!
He had just finished some set of accountancy exams and hadn't gone out to celebrate. And that night, I had a friend from the French Lycee in Lisbon (LFCL) who I hadn't seen in a while who was djing @ The Key in Kings Cross.
As soon as I got to his place we started drinking and then headed off to a bar to meet up with Sebas (Muuuuullllllaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!), another LFCL who had just started his new professional experience in London, working for Norman Foster's and partners Atelier!
Straight on to The Key, saw Anibal who unfortunately had already mixed! His set ended up being shorter than planned... It was a great night anyways!

Next day, a little hungover and under slept, I got the train down to Bath and had the meeting which went really well. And what a nice place it is! For old times' sake, for lunch I went to a JD Wetherspoons and had a burger and a pint! Lol.

Back at Stav's and after a little snooze to recover for that night, Broomy joined us and while we were waiting for the rain pouring to calm down, we were enjoying a nice Spanish wine. I had booked a table at Aziz, an oriental restaurant near Fulham road, which was actually owned by an Iranian guy, so I felt at home! Maboy Harris joined us, Mula and some other friends. Food was great, the company too and we even got treated with a belly dancing show!
I had asked my mates to take me to a cheesy venue, to remember those nights at Uni in Nottingham, and they chose Inferno's in Clapham, we had such a great laugh!!

The next day, Pedro and Joao came round for an english breakfast in a Greek café and only Brazilians worked there! No missed flight, and there went another business trip, allied with a lot of 'divertissement', as always.
Probably the last one since we recently hired a new manager, who has decided to focus more on the internal market...

This Summer in Lisbon

2007-07-03T07:16:00.000+01:00

Work Takes me to... Sao Paulo!

2007-07-02T21:41:00.000+01:00

Indeed. Some can consider themselves very lucky. I guess I am in that lot.
My company was selected for an entrepreneurial encounter organised by Madrid's Chamber of Commerce, linking together and promoting business implementation between these 2 metroplitans, Madrid and South America's financial capital, Sao Paulo.

Speaking Portuguese and having dealt with inscription and all other bureaucracies, adding to the fact that we were manager-free, I engaged in this trip and decided to stay at my very good friend's Cezar (Mo!!) apartment, giving me the chance to see him again 4 years after he left Uni, and spare my company on over 500eur worth of Hotel expenditure!

So I made sure I made the best from this adventure. First night we went for dinner at Jam Warehouse, great sushi! But being tired from the trip, the night ended there.
Next night I went for dinner with a friend, Isabel, from the same internship program, who is actually working in Chicago but she was in Sao Paulo at the same time on a business trip too, how random!!!
We went to Rodeio for good old Brazilian Rodizio, the most random thing of it all was that that same night, Brazilians were celebrating Valentine's day, being one of the few people not celebrating it on Feb the 14th!

Ok. So after tuesday and wednesday, two full days of non-stop meetings with potential clients and partners, and after finding pretty much the most adequate and interesting associate to enter the Brazilian market, there was the official dinner of the encounter with all the participants and organisers. That was held at Vento Haragano, with free caipirinhas for everyone!! Then we went on to Skye Bar, awesome view at the rooftop of a hotel!
We ended up at the private party of Companhia Maritima, designer label which had had its fashion show that day, at the Sao Paulo Fashion Week (SPFW). At Royal, with a live band playing electro-samba and the presence of fine models including Fernanda Lima...

Thursday day off: I chill and relax by my friend's pool, prepare a meeting with a consultancy firm scheduled for the afternoon and in the meantime, to see more of the city and have a more productive 'sejour', decide to go and see an exhibition on Charles Darwin at the Museu de Arte de Sao Paulo (MASP).

---- Too bad if you don't understand Portuguese... Couldn't find the official quote in English, but it basically states that 'Man's limits of his Knowledge can only be pushed by the fertility of His Imagination' ---- Or at least that's how I see it!

Later on, my last night, I manage to get tickets to the SPFW! Cez and I check out the Triton fashion show. We chill and drink free campari's in one of the VIP lounges and we even allow ourselves to miss another fashion show for which we had invites... Thanks ASW!

Things we're looking pretty good. Dinner at Kosushi with a couple of his female friends who unfortunately had to go home, early meetings the following day... We head off to Disco, where the private party of Triton his being held! In we go, open bar - only vodka, brilliant!
Not satisfied enough, we decide to leave and aim for more accessible crowds, Cafe de la Musique... Unfortunately finishing the night off empty-handed.. Well not quite, Temaki Express was there to cheer us up!

What's Been Going on...

2007-06-20T22:53:00.000+01:00

After I went to Lisbon at then end of May, I got back and had the chance to go to Seville for a meeting and visit the place. Great afternoon afterwards with my colleague, trying tasty local food adding a refreshing tinto de verano...

Had another visitor that weekend, Martinha came to check out La Movida again, as she used to live here. I showed her my side of Madrid! 1st night houseparty and Pacha, and at the end I was caught spending a penny by a policeman, apparently against the main entrance of one of the mbest guarded buildings in town, the Supreme Court...

Next day Feria de la Tapa, tapas and cañas for 1€! In the evening, the unmissable Maison Blanche with other friends, then Le Marquis where I met up with Gilles, Marcello and others, and still onto to Gabana!

On Sunday, it had to be the typical hangover remedy: La Latina.

By the time I had recovered from that weekend, with a midweek dinner with Gilles, his girlfriend, Paixao and Johnny Big, I was heading off to Lisbon again, I had the wedding ceremony of Mrs. and Mr. Jesus!!

But I made sure I'd prepare for the day before: Surfing at Guincho, then Dinner at Valmor Residence, followed by Bairro Alto. Obviously, we ended up at Lux, where as soon as I get in, I see my colleague from work wearing a Flamenco Dress, how random!

And obviously....

The World Is Your Oyster

2007-06-16T08:36:00.000+01:00

create your own visited countries map
or vertaling Duits Nederlands

I recommend...

2007-06-12T21:45:00.000+01:00

It’s been a while since I last recommended something, so I better make this one worthwhile!

There’s a never-ending list of great things I experienced lately, from restaurants, to clubs, to places and music…
Let’s start somewhere.

Buzzmarketing, by Mark Hughes

It’s a very instructive book on how to make the most of this powerful tool we have, to sell a product, an idea, to obtain as many clients as possible, called marketing.
It criticises the old fashioned methods applied to use it. It’s quite revolutionary, and by giving specific examples and case studies, altogether with a very simple and direct writing, you can clearly understand and assimilate how to reach the same results with this new modern marketing technique with a very small budget or almost inexistent, rather than having millions and millions to spend on marketing strategies and get practically nothing out of it. Direct marketing, or buzzmarketing, is letting the others speak about your business or product, by word of mouth. Don’t buy publicity, rather let your clients do it themselves…

Food suggestion: Chocolat, ice-cream shop in Milan.
Probably the best ice-cream I have ever tasted!! I went there on a Monday night at around midnight, and it was packed, you had to queue!! But it’s definitely worth the wait… A must in Milan!

Music!!!
Fujiya & Miyagi – Collarbone. Great electro-rock tune, with trendy and modern melody… (it’s always hard to describe what you can relate music to!)
The Klaxons – Golden skans. The remix (whose author I am still trying to identify) is huge! Smooth , energy-pumping electro-rock (yep, seems I’m quite into it now…).
Fat Freddy’s Drop – Any tune. Buy the album!! A mixture of jazz, reggae, bossa and chill out, straight from New Zealand. I saw them in concert last year in Paris, they kept on improvising, they rocked!

Birthday Celebrations Continue

2007-05-30T22:56:00.000+01:00

Madrid and Milan weren't enough. There had to be more.

Not the best of news, my Dad was feeling ill and I felt he needed some support. After family consultations and discussions, I made sure I would fly over to L.A. and give him some support.

And so I did. 1 week, Stop-over: London.

5hrs in London waiting in transfer... as if!

After some careful time calculations, I decided to meet up at a pub on the same tube line as Heathrow with some friends back from uni and other Portuguese immigrants who really are scattered all over the world. A quick couple of pints and sausage and mash whilst catching up with some of your best buds, what else can you want??

I was really impressed to see such a big turn up (around 15!) at such an early time for a Sunday morning!

Cheers guys, it was awesome.

Then off to L.A. Spent a lot of time with my Dad and that was great. It really felt good. And he his feeling better. I was able to see most of my family too, including my cousins.
Once again, these bastards made sure I had a good time...

Went to Belmont, Day After, Area and a Persian - Jewish engagement party, all in just one week... L.A. at it's best!

Check this out, it happened the day before I went surfing to this same beach:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cB9mxYliuMo

I got back to Madrid, cheeky dinner at Maison Blanche with uncles who were visiting, and next day, official opening of Le Marquis, crazy...

Saturday, off to Lisbon. Was going to work Monday and Tuesday, visiting a food fair and having meetings, but the price was the same as flying out on Saturday, and the 'computer' said yes.

Nonstop. Went surfing 3 times, cool dinner with friends then on to Lux, sushi @ Estado Liquido with great company, and saw Sporting Lifting the Cup at Jamor!

Quarter of a Century

2007-05-25T21:27:00.000+01:00

25 years on... who would have said... time goes by so quickly, really… But giving it some thought I think I am lucky to be able to say that I have lived an intense life filled with innumerous experiences, mostly very much positive, without a doubt!

I have lived in 5 different countries. I have traveled to more than 20.

My first job I took it 10 years ago. I have worked seriously for the last 3, with 3 distinctive experiences.

I have a group of brothers in Portugal. Have a group of brothers/cousins in the UK, and a lot of fantastic and sincere friends all across the world.

I get along great with my parents, my family loves me. I love them.

I have had a lot of girl(friend)s, and a very special one.

As each day goes by, I still am the same person, just wiser and more oriented.

I am still a kid inside, a kid that comes out occasionally or more often than that, very bohemian, sociable and mainly a ‘bon vivant’.

But at the same time I wonder, like most people who hit that age group, what have I achieved? How far have I gone? Did I reach any objectives, or did I really have any?

It was interesting to discuss this matter with my very good friends Henry and Stav, at different moments.

As I see it, from 20 to 25 years of age, you should truly create a steady, complete and wide base that will help you make the most of the next 5 years to come, until you’re 30.

That is, in that period of time, you’re at university, you get out of university, you discover who you are and how you act, you get into the professional world, you get your first real job and you get to know your best skills, both human and technical.
Once you know what you are most performing at, you try to define what your really want.

It is a time where you test things, and things test you. You’re the researcher but are also the lab rat. And the key is in learning from your experiences, both the good and the bad ones.

A lot of people are disappointed because they thought they would have attained a lot of things, like for instance make their first million, by the time they were 25. Some even have managed it, but then it takes them ages to make their 2^nd million.

I think that is because they didn’t have a solid enough background that would give them the support they needed.

So why rush? Why be greedy and want everything? Obviously, it’s good to be ambitious, but it’s bad to be overambitious. Take your time and make sure you do things right.

You might make your 1^st million when you’re only 26 but I’m pretty sure that if you’re well-balanced enough you’ll make your 2^nd one in no time.

25-30, that is a much more important period in my belief. Then, you should really set yourself some goals. Somewhat concrete and well-defined, but make sure you’re flexible about them (it does matter!). Be more responsible and more serious. Don’t forget who you are though.

Nonetheless, to achieve these targets, you need that solid and structured base, you need that firm foundation which made you stronger and now helps you keep your cool each step you take. You need it in order for these 5 years to be the most rewarding and fruitful ever, since they are, as I see it, the confirmation years (of our potential?).

I have come up with 2 aims for the next 5 years. However, I am not pressuring myself to accomplish them by all means within that time slot. You essentially need something to guide you through your life…

One will be the reflection of stability: the combination of a good and interesting job, full of prospects, from which I learn a great deal; with a steady, happy and fulfilling relationship, love engulfing the feeling of time going by…

Those are two factors that will reassure me that the following 5 years will be even better.

The 2^nd one is the reward on the experience I have had, what I have lived, what I went through and all the hard work I had to lead. The image of my objectives, as if it were a landmark.

To find out what they are call 1 – 800 – WISHFUL – THINKING!!

I will not get into more details; we will see how things flow.

And now I will go and enjoy this moment, since it’s not everyday that you celebrate a quarter of a century in Madrid, Milan, London, L.A. and Lisbon!

Word Game

2007-05-17T04:50:00.000+01:00

I wonder what their daily specials will be....

The World Has Gone Crazy!

2007-05-11T00:39:00.000+01:00

So today was the last day my 'boss', the Director of Imbiosis, was seen as such. He had decided a couple of weeks ago to engage in a new phase in his career, starting and managing a CSR consultancy company.

There is just one little dilemma here... Or should I say miscalculous:
Imbiosis is a small company. Even though we are part of GENETRIX, the 2nd biggest biotech group in Spain (englobing altogether 7 companies) and growing rapidly, there's only like 5 of us: 2 in the lab and 3 (incl. Director) in the office!

This means it'll just be me and my colleague Carolina handling most of the issues while they try and recruit a new director!

The president(a) of the group asked me to step into her office to have a few words...
She wanted to know if I had decided if I wanted to stay with them after the internship, because that would reflect on the recruitment of the new director...
She also said that while they will be looking, I was the right person to take the lead and make the company move forward... F&ck me!!

+ = ?!

Birthday Business Trip!

2007-05-11T00:08:00.000+01:00

So after a couple of a couple of hours´sleep I managed no to oversleep and be on time to get on the plane (rather unusual I know...) heading to Milan.

Stayed at the Starhotel Andersson by Milano Centrale train station then headed off to Fiera Milano for TuttoFood, the fair I had to spread some charm at (yes I did have to work on my birthday!).

So what to do at night?? Dinner and drinks on my own?? No!!!

Went for dinner with this really nice girl I had met from Small World (ASW) who decided to show me a good time in Milan for my 25th birthday!! (not in that way you pervs, nothing happened).

Dinner at PaperMoon (according to the critics one of the 10 best in town), then went to Chocolat for probably the best ice cream I have ever had. Short stop at the Trussardi bar for a little private party followed by a quick tour on foot of the hotspots of Milan!
Awesome!

6.30am! Rrrrrring! Time to get ready to catch the train for Genova, for a meeting...

Beautiful town, so characteristic of the typical little Italy.

Dinner @ Le Marquis

2007-05-10T23:27:00.000+01:00

So Sunday the 6th of May, eve of my 25th birthday... I didn't know what to do for it since the next day I would be flying out early in the morning to Milan... So decided to gather the closest friends I had made here in Madrid since I had arrived almost 4 months ago, pretty much all Portuguese (except for you JC!!!)!
I wanted to take them to my favourite restaurant, Maison Blanche, but it closes on Sundays. Tried Arabia, booked it, but then I found out that JC's restaurant had finally opened!

Le Marquis, Fetish restaurant lounge on Plaza España, owned by Pacha director and other partners, supposed to become the most sought after in Madrid! (It has a bed in the VIP room!)

We had the privilege to be his first 'normal' customers, so we got VIP treatment!
I had a great time, and the rest of the gang too I think, just check the pics!

Cheers guys.

Ps: JC, your restaurant rocks, and you will rulee Madrid and the ladies!! Haha

Visits visits and more visits

2007-05-06T17:59:00.000+01:00

Some must be wondering why I decided to call this blog 'Hostal Madrid' ...
Well for two reasons: the amount of people that have and will come over to pay a visit, and the fact that I love receiving and hosting friends and people.
So so far, I've had the pleasure to see (not in any order) Pedro and Joao, Joao Grande (who helped me discover Madrid in the first few weeks), Gilles, Marta, 4 brothers (comment below), Mark and Ranger again, Manu and his brothers and cousins, Maria, Domingos, my beloved mother and maybe others that I might have forgotten, and still to come, Henry, Martinha, etc...

Here's a little taste, unfortunately I didn't capture everyone's presence here with the lens...

If you wanna try Hostal Madrid, just get in touch!!!

It's Sunday!

2007-04-29T12:41:00.000+01:00

Today it's Sunday.

Normally in any other part in the World you'd be dreading this. Sundays are always those lazy days when you stay at home and feel like doing nothing. Or it's that day where you have to finish homework, or get organised and all the info needed for Monday at work. Or it's that day where you come back from a trip, generally a sad moment. I used to hate Sundays. Not anymore.

The Domingo en la Latina concept:

What do you do when you wake up from a huge hangover? You go out and have a beer, or two.
Every Sunday afternoon in this old part of Madrid you have hundreds and hundreds of people, mainly younger crowds, who gather together and drink, eat tapas and socialize until the night falls. It's like a routine! You meet up with friends there, with people you met during the weekend when you were out clubbing, etc. You hop from one bar to another and meet loads of people.

It just shows once again that this fun city never sleeps! Madrileños have non-stop energy!

A typical Sunday:

Get up at around 3pm with a massive headache. Make a couple of phone calls and decide to meet up at la latina, usually first with JC and Gonçalo. We go to Malandrín at around 4pm where you have great food, ambiance and excellent service. Then one friend arrives. Then another. And another. We meet people at the surrounding tables and they join us. There was just 3 of people. Now we're around 15 people! We leave at around 7pm and then walk around the area and go to another bar or two.
When you feel like of you've had one too many drinks, get self conscious that it's Sunday and you have to work the next day, you decide to go home, normally at about 10pm, and you hit the sack and sleep like a baby...

I recommend...

2007-04-25T13:29:00.000+01:00

What an amazing book!

Recommended by my good friend Amandine, she said I would really enjoy reading it and would see myself in the main character, and she was right altogether!

Beautifully written, allying the vocabulary and sentence build-up of a 10 year old kid with the latter's grown-up and wise thoughts, discovering the World and Life at such a young age.

If you can read it in French, it'll make a huge difference!!

Sounds...

Sparks by Coldplay, a melody in its fullest sense

Burning, Whitest Boy Alive, great pop rock

Sun, Moon, Stars by Mos Def, real funky hip hop!

Groove it!

International Day

2007-04-25T13:12:00.000+01:00

I have haven't really mentioned what I am doing here in Madrid. I guess it does matter so let's just get it over and done with!

I am working at Imbiosis, a biotech lab specialised in quantitative and qualitative gluten analyses in foods.

You have people who are intolerant to gluten, called coeliacs, who cannot eat gluten at all, due to this genetic disorder.

Laws require food producers to label their products adequately, and mention if, for instance, they contain gluten or not and the levels of presence. They are our clients, mainly.

Born in 2005, we have achieved market leadership in Spain in our domain.

We therefore aim at expanding to foreign, more mature markets, one of the company's main strategic goals for the next 2 years.

That's where I come in. I am responsable for our International Expansion, and I am loving it.

Market studies. In touch with different clients from all over the place. It's also enabled me to travel (my first ever business trip, to Avignon, France) and will continue to do so (Milan, Lisbon - food fairs in May, etc.).

Yesterday was the most international day by far: was on the phone with a French events organiser, with the FDA in the States, exchanged emails with an Italian association, looking for business oportunities in Portugal, had a meeting with a Brasilian woman about how to invest in her country and found out I was going to a food fair in Milan!

What a great experience!

First Visit, on the First Weekend!

2007-04-22T23:48:00.000+01:00

Now I was set.

I could focus at work since I had ‘a base’ (indispensable), and make the most out of this experience.

I could start hosting friends and people at my house.

And that’s exactly what just happened.

A few days after moving in, I was informed that 4 of my ‘brothers’, my childhood friends, were coming to visit. It was ‘Carnival’ in Portugal, and so they all had time off and decided to come and see the ‘Mohogné’!

So 4 parasites in my first weekend at residencia Pardiñas, what would Tiago say??? He was gonna kill me, or at least hate me, what a way to start a bond with your new housemate!

But it was all good, I had told them to bring a case of wine for him, and so they did and we all got along great. I even feel like they had come to christian and bring good karma to the apartment and my new journey, in Madrid.

The weekend started off really well, had been invited by the Ambassador’s daughter (Joana from the French Lycee)to a cocktail at the Portuguese embassy for the opening of the ARCO (Contemporary Art Fair of Madrid), with all the Portuguese artist that were exhibiting attending. Had fun, but too much of an artistic lobby and pseudo-intellectual attitude. Then went to meet up with André and a friend at Deja-te Besar, great funky bar. Ended up at Shabay where I had arranged to meet with JC, Marcelo and Sush, awesome night!

On Saturday, went for a run at the Retiro park to kill off the hangover. Ranger, Russini, Falardo and VD came on at night; after a long road trip and I made sure I’d take care of them nicely!

Took them straight to MOMA where we were very well waited on by charming Ana, then on to the disco part of that place, where the guys went crazy with the high ratio of good looking women. After a few drinks, heading to Pacha, guest list, then RnB room to unleash some moves! What a night! We even found puto Brandao and puto Dominguez who were in Madrid also!

Next day, the worst hangover ever, but still we managed to go to ARCO and we had such a laugh! Nice dinner at home afterwards, all sat around a table laughing and telling stories for hours and hours. Monday was workday, so they all went off to explore Madrid and at night, their last one, same again, friendly dinner, as funny as ever!

And that was it, they headed back to Portugal and what was left was a great set of brilliant and joyful memories, the sort only your best buddies give you.

Thanks for coming bros, you know you’re always welcome!

NAGASAKI!

The First Few Weeks

2007-04-22T23:06:00.000+01:00

I was set for a great adventure from the start!

3 days after my arrival Pedro Leal and Joao Alvellos came to visit from London and stayed at Manuel Sena’s place, where I was too until I’d find my own place. I was endeed staying at his, and sleeping literally on the floor (he didn’t have a spare mattress and his couch was too short!!)…

Adding to that, my cousin Maria Cardim who had already lived in Madrid was in town for business and so we went out for dinner and she made sure she’d introduce me to a lot of people! So by the first weekend, which lasted until Wednesday (because Pedro was loving it, and with a broken foot, was off work for…weeks!! And so he extended his stay), I’d been to how don’t know how many restaurants, bars and clubs, and met loads of people!! It felt like I’d been in Madrid for ages!! What a great start!! And yes, I was hungover and sleepless on my first couple of days at work!...

Funny moment:

I honestly thought I would be comfortable with my Spanish. After 3 years studying it in Nottingham, I admit I didn’t practice it that much, but I still did occasionally and specially in the last month, since I had been working at a Hotel reception (Spanish Chain) and I was great at giving directions! Hehe…

And speaking to people in Madrid on the first weekend had been no problem whatsoever, but on my first day at work… I had a meeting with my supervisor, who is IMBIOSIS’ Director (or General Manager or CEO, as you wish), for about 3h and if I understood half of it I feel blessed!! The guy talked at 300km/h swallowing most words and using vocabulary I had never heard of and with swear words in between each sentence!

Still nowadays, when I go out for lunch with colleagues, I either keep quite and follow the conversation, or if I try to intervene, they’ve already changed subject twice!!

Nonetheless I am making an effort and my level is getting better… I hope at least! Joder!

Back to what I was saying…

So after a lot of fun, after starting to adapt to my work environment, I still didn’t have my own flat… How hard is it to find an apartment in Madrid??!! Was I asking for too much??

I wanted to live in my own flat, studio, or 1 bedroom. I have lived on my own since I was 18 and it doesn’t bother me. Furthermore, I knew a lot of people are coming to visit and my last wish is to go and live in a house and not get along with my flatmate(s). That’s exactly the sort of hassle I wanted to avoid being here for only 9 months!!!

But it seemed impossible, I went from 600 to 750eur for rent, any sort of apartment and anywhere in the centre, but no way josé!!

So after 3 weeks of constant house hunting and sleeping on my mate’s floor, I was desperate so I sent a general email to a yahoo group called ‘tugasmadrid’ asking if anyone knew of an available apartment or even a room!! Yes, I had changed my mind, I was willing to share a flat, it had come to the point where all I wanted was just my own bed!

And the day after I called a call from Tiago, a 35 year old guy who actually looks 27, from Porto, saying he was looking for someone for his spare room.

I arranged to go and see it and there I was at Calle General Pardiñas, 28 – 1 D the next day.

It was a proper job interview, maybe even harder than that. I arrive and I see his friend Carolina who I recognized from Lisbon (yeah Portugal is a very small village!), she went to the French Lycee too so the link was established, I was earning points.

We chatted for over an hour and, question after question, we all started getting along, laughing and loosening up (no, it’s not gonna end the way you’re thinking you pervs).

I left thinking I had made a good impression and foreseeing I could get along with this Tiago dude.

By the way, the apartment is 110 m2, 3 bedrooms (one for friends to crash), big living room, kitchen, 2 wc and a long corridor! In Goya, a nice residential area in the centre of Madrid. All the comfort, furnished and with internet and Canal +, I felt at home already!

The week after, I get a call and I was accepted!! I was in hysterics!! I had finally found a place and what a place!

So I packed my bags, said goodbye to Manuel with some nostalgia already, he had been such a good friend, got a taxi and installed myself! The real Madrid adventure was about to start.

For those who understand Portuguese, who can read the full on story (I know this one is long enough though!) at the following link:

http://visaocontacto.blogs.sapo.pt/4407.html

I recommend…

2007-03-29T00:53:00.000+01:00

This is a section I really want to share with everyone. A book I’ve read, a tune that sticks in the head, a restaurant, a play, exhibition… anything worth checking out!!

This week (well let’s pretend it’s pretty much the first week I’m in Madrid, I know I started writing this blog up way too late!!) my suggestion goes for a book that my friend Pedro Leal said I would live to read. And he was right!! It was one of my favourite books! Not only I identified with the ‘hero’ in it, but since the ‘action’ happens most of the time in LA I was pretty acquainted with the places mentioned and the lifestyle. The style of writing is brilliant, very smooth and easy to ready, intelligently funny, cheeky and sharp!

Oh! And it’s about picking up girls…. But there’s more to it, much more!

I call it The Bible:

‘The Game’ by Neil Strauss

On the music side, 3 great tunes:

‘Eurodans’ by Todd Terje, awesome eurotrash sorta electropop housy style (lol)

‘Give it to me’ by Timbaland, J. Timberlake and Nelly Furtado, what a trio!

‘Negociantes’ by Sam the Kid, one of the best Portuguese hip hopsters at the moment

Enjoy!

Why Madrid, Why??!!

2007-03-29T00:43:00.000+01:00

It was about 11 o’clock at night on a Wednesday late November… We were about to find out our destinations for next year for this paid internship program supported by the Portuguese government and sponsored by the EU.

After almost two weeks of very intense training on international cultures, international economics and international marketing, with the best professors (for instance ex-ministers of finances, etc.) showing up and brainwashing us on these topics and saying we were the ‘crème de la crème de la crème’ and that the image of Portugal abroad depended on us, it was finally time to face the answer we’d been looking for since the day we applied to this internship: which company will I work for and where, for 9 months?!

I was sooo disappointed. After spending the past few days uplifting people’s morals saying: ‘it’s not the destination that’s important nor the company but what you make of your experience, your motivation, dynamism and will to learn that will make it rewarding and unforgettable’, I was probably the only guy in a room filled with 200 people that wasn’t celebrating….

My first thought was: ‘Out of all the places I’ve been and visited, couldn’t I have been a more distant country, a remote place, wishing to encounter a culture shock of some sort?? Most of these people haven’t even practically ever left Portugal and they’re off to China, Mexico and Australia!!’

The next, was even worse: A biotech lab??? Don’t put me in a lab, pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!! No microscopes nor Petri dishes nor pipettes!! I’m no good at that!’

I was a wreck. Everyone popping up the champagne bottles (well, there weren’t any but you get the picture) partying and dancing and all I could think was why the hell I’d got into this program… The coordinator of the program tried to cheer me up along with other co-workers: ‘Go and have fun! Celebrate and don’t think about it now! You’ll see you’ll be able to do what you enjoy the most!’ But that wasn’t good enough for me…

A few weeks later, I started getting more and more information about the company I was going to be working for, IMBIOSIS, and the position attributed to me.

A laboratory specialized in the analysis of gluten, and apparently I was going to work in the marketing and commercial area of the company. After an interview over the phone and other emails exchange with people from IMBIOSIS I was happier but still had to wait and see…

The best part of this is that, unlike most of the other interns who had to be working during December and most of January for their company because it was either Portuguese or had a Portuguese subsidiary, mine had been set up quite recently and was fully Spanish. So I spent most of those two months surfing and socializing with my friends and family, which was awesome, and even went on a 4 day trip to Paris to see family and friends and my…

It also helped me get to know Madrid better, meet people who, just like me, were about to go and live there, and establish contacts with those who were already there. I was getting mentally prepared…

The date was set. I was leaving on the 17^th of January, and starting work on the 22nd. It was time to pack and set a good bye dinner!