Puerta del Sol

Last night we went to Puerta del Sol, essentially the center of Madrid. It is a very happenin' place on the weekends, just full of people bar-hopping and whatnot. It's also very touristy, which although I'm a tourist I prefer to avoid if I can. The first bar we went to was an Irish pub called O' Connell's, but it was so ridiculously packed with American students that we left after 20 minutes. We walked about a block up to a bar called Como, which was playing some good reggaeton, so we made our way inside, checked our coats and stayed there the rest of the night. The guys we met there were silly and um, ambiguous? Seriously, they'd randomly dance with each other and then make a pass at us. Hm.. the guys my roommates danced with were all disrespectful in some way, whether by biting one on the ear (yes, twice I might add) or calling another Gordita (which means "fat little girl", although Corey claims it's an endearing term in the Peruvian culture.) The guy I met was somewhat chubby, but had a nice harmless look to him... he turned out to be a chef at a nice restaurant somewhere in Nove Minesterio. 30 euros a plate! He can't be half-bad. He didn't do anything to make me feel uncomfortable. He did ask for "una besita," a little kiss, to which I said "solo en la mejilla," only on the cheek. He was disappointed but didn't hold it against me. His friends were very happy for him, as they should be! They're out to humiliate their friend by trying to set him up with people. I hate it when people do that. It's like, just let the man dance in peace and the chips fall where they may.

Here are pics from last night: