Tina Turner - out! northeast magazine

TRAVELThe scene is lively and welcoming, packedtight into the old quarter of the city where it catersfor those wanting civilised cocktails - to sexbars and endless dark rooms.MADRIDTouching down at Madrid’s Barajasairport I almost felt like a man embarkingon an affair.Now, I wasn’t going to meet adodgy waiter named Carlos orPedro for a weekend of lust,instead I was straying awayfrom my beloved Barcelonaand visiting its rival city, Spain’scapital Madrid.The first thing to hit me on myarrival was the heat. Barcelonathrough its sea location has alwaysgot a pleasant light breeze, butMadrid being in the centre ofSpain welcomes the new visitorwith the most intense heat you canexperience anywhere in Europe.I was booked into the Gay HostalPuerta del la Sol, which wasdirectly in the centre of the city’smain Plaza. After fighting throughendless crowds with suitcasebehind me and taking nearly 30minutes to identify which buildingmy hotel was in, I was eventuallyable to check into what was to bea very friendly and cosy hotel. Thelocation of the Hotel is not idealif you are looking for a quiet stay(with the Plaze being the meetingplace in Madrid), but it does meanthat the underground is on yourdoorstep and you can walk prettymuch to all the key touristy sites ifyou wish.I decided that my first taste ofMadrid was going to be the RoyalPalace (Palacio Real de Madrid).Now I have never had muchinterest in seeing such sites, but Ihad been informed that this wasa must see and the palace didnot disappoint. The place wasenormous and surprisingly notthat busy. Following strict touristcode I wore a headset which tookme from room to room in perfectEnglish.After a while I have to admit I wastotally lost which bit of info fittedwith which room, but that no longermattered. What had caught myattention was how each room justgot grander and grander, reflectingthe endless wealth and taste ofpast kings and queens. I couldhave happily moved in, but therewas already one queen livingthere, no room for another! Thatnight I was lucky enough to meetup with a friend who showed mearound the gay scene of Madridthat is named the ‘Chueca’.The scene is lively and welcoming,packed tight into the old quarterof the city where it caters for thosewanting civilised cocktails - to sexbars and endless dark rooms.Unlike many scenes it also had avery visible and well catered forlesbian community too. As withmuch of Spain many people donot go out to eat until very late,10pm is quite normal, with the barsand clubs being open to very/earlyinto the morning.Waking the following day withan horrific hangover a cookedSpanish breakfast with coffee wasa must, found just a side streetaway from the hotel. Working itsmagic I was soon ready to revertback to cultured tourist, ratherthan scene queen and headedoff to the museum and gallerydistrict of the city for some seriousculture. Madrid is home to somefantastic museums and galleries,such as the Museo del Prado,Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza andMuseo Nacional Centre de ArteReina Sofia, all located feet fromeach other in the ‘golden triangle’.Around the ‘golden triangle’ thereare lots of bars and restaurants,but if you just head a block ortwo away you can taste realSpanish ‘menu del dia’ with itsthree courses and wine for just afew Euros, perfect. At the end ofmy trip, I have to admit my heartstill belonged to Barcelona, butMadrid definitely has its own buzzand larger than life night life whichmakes any visitor welcome andwishing to return for more.Getting there: KLM has flights(via Amsterdam) from bothNewcastle and Durham Tees.Mark CaseyTravel - Madrid22 Out North East / Issue 15 / www.outnortheast.comOut North East / Issue 15 / www.outnortheast.com 23