Botellón!

Ok, so I know I have posted in a while but as you can appreciate I've been wildly busy! I'm probably going to make up for it by clogging up everyone's newsfeed/timeline with several posts today...sorrrryyyyy.

Anyone who took Spanish in school is almost undoubtedly aware of Botellón. Calling it a tradition may be somewhat far fetched but if you could see what I witnessed then you'd most likely agree! My first experience of Botellón was when I revisited my GCSE exchange partner in sixth form, a group of us gathered in one flat and concocted some sugar-filled fluorescent pink substance then settled in an almost derelict building and proceeded to get drunk before we went out. There was about ten of us and we were joined by a few other random groups. I have to admit I didn't really see what all the fuss was about! So I have to admit when I was invited to join the Botellón here in Madrid I wasn't particularly excited but I decided I'd go along anyway.

I met up with Megan, one of my new flatmates, and we proceeded towards Plaza de España to join a vast crowd of people. We weren't entirely sure if this was the group we were meant to be with but we went along with it anyway. We sat down next to the fountain with our cheap wine and a few beers and I couldn't help feeling I had suddenly turned 14 again, it was definitely reminiscent of those nights every teenager spends drinking WKD and Smirnoff Ice in the park (so cool).

Little Chinese ladies were walking round with plastic bags full of beers selling them for a euro to anyone who was buying. While this confused me at first it did at least explain why one had said hello to me as I walking through the park the previous night.

After a short while someone shouted to the crowd and everyone began to move through the plaza towards another park where we met even more people! We settled ourselves on a grassy verge and joined a group of people playing Wonderwall by Oasis. There was people from all over Europe and while we tried to use our Spanish most people soon reverted to English.

After a good night socialising I made my way back to my apartment for my nightly Skype and to my surprise (bearing in mind this was 2 oclock) found HUNDREDS of people only just arriving. Whilst Botellón would never be so pleasant in England's cold setting I have to say it is definitely an experience not to be missed and I love the fact its just accepted into Spanish culture, the police just let them get on with it and everyone just has a good time!

Donjuan x