Back in Madrid, Spain

So you can’t go home again because time, people and places change. But, to visit places that were once important in our lives gives us a chance to reflect on who were are and what we have accomplished. This May two old roommates, Gail Schafers and I, had the opportunity to visit our old haunts in Madrid, Spain. In the school year of 1971-1972 we attended St. Louis University in Madrid. We were two 20 year olds embarking on a great adventure….little did we know how adventurous it would be. The Spanish and US cultures were much different at the time:

1. The Dictator Franco was ruling Spain; now Spain is a constitutional monarchy.
2. Fascists were the only legal political party; now there are so many parties it is hard to keep them straight.
3. There was only one TV station that ran primarily political propaganda; cable has arrived as in the US more stations then you could ever hope to watch. (Both have those inane reality shows.)
4. Like Paris and LA there were student riots….but in Spain the Spanish military would break them up with water cannons; now the Puerta del Sol is hosting a protest of the young unemployed…the military only watches from the sideline.
5. Blue jeans were a novelty….now blue jeans, tattoos, multi-colored hair and all the current styles of youth are apparent.
6. Serenos guarded the streets, our apartment and opened our mail now serenos are no longer part of the system, private freedoms are respected but there is also an increase of personal crimes.
7. Signs of affection in public were outlawed…the sexual revolution is in full swing.
8. I only remember 5 metro lines now there are 10 and a fast metro train runs from Airport to downtown metro stops.
9. In 1971 the city was going through a building boom which made it dusty and filled with a diesel smell. Today, the city is beautifully clean and ,though fill with cars, the air is much fresher.
   

Gail in front of 51 Gaztambide and our second floor bedroom window.

Gail and I searched out our old apartment. We visited our old school now housed on its own beautiful campus with over 650 students. (we were about 50). We ate our favorite foods: Tortilla de Patatas, Jamón Serrano, Gazpacho and Paella. We visited our favorite museums, parks, el Rastro, and took a side trip to Toledo. Our time together was short but during it we experience the sites, smells and tastes that are Madrid. We were transported back 40 years ago to all the great things we remember about the city and were surprised and pleased by all the developments.

Prado Museum

Empty wine glasses at Cafe Gijone

Last evening at an out door cafe.