a NOLA girl in a Big world

Reluctantly, this post is about our final city – Madrid.

Out of all the cities we visited, Madrid was our “least known.” As a newb to this area of Europe, I knew VERY little about the Spanish Capital, so I had very low expectations. I assumed they would have the same great food, nice folks & some old, but beautiful architecture like we saw in our previous 4 cities. But little did I know, that a piece of my soul would find its home in Madrid. Sounds like an exaggeration, but I assure you, it isn’t. We are a kindreds spirit.

I’ve been “diagnosed” with “second child syndrome” or SCS. SCS is something that is real for those of us born after seemingly perfect first borns. I have a wonderful, yet  over achieving sister, who has YET to find something in which she can’t master. Younger children with SCS, can at times feel that their amazing – yet, lesser noticeable qualities are over looked by the perfection that is the first born. All of that to say, that Madrid, if she were a child, would have SCS – like me. 

When you think of Spain, most people go straight for Barcelona or Ibiza. [If you’re a soccer fan, you might think Madrid, but strictly due to soccer.] Madrid, while the capital of Spain gets lost in the shadow of its more glamorous sister – Barcelona. 

Don’t get me wrong, I’m part of the problem. I am the reason Madrid would have SCS – I knew NOTHING, I overlooked her. But fortunately, kids with SCS can thrive; and it just so happens that one of the local soccer teams Atlético Madrid’s (also a SCS kid) slogan – COURAGE & HEART is EXACTLY how.

So Madrid, if nothing else has HEART. Every street, every neighborhood, every person – was vibrant and beating. 

As soon as we arrived at the airport, the vibe felt different. We met our driver Angèl, who has been in Madrid for over 20 years said that “Madrid got under his skin.” I believe it. Because when Angèl spoke of his now home, he spoke of her with a glimmer in his eye. She had changed him & he was appreciative. 

Our AirBnB just so happened to be the best yet – wonderful location, beautifully decorated & felt like home. Over the 3 days we got aquatinted with our surroundings and found that there was a LIFE to Madrid that we didn’t feel in Barcelona. She was vibrant and full of life but with a humble flex. She moved at her own pace and was never fussy or pushy for you to follow suit, you just naturally did. Typical of a SCS kid – Madrid had charisma and was less concerned with the “pizazz of it all” like her well-known sister to the south, and more concerned with being authentic and uniquely Madrid.

Now, more than heart, I learned that the people of Madrid have heaps of courage. It just so happened, that the 3 people who did our private tours of the city were transplants. Beth from Ohio, Rosen from Nicaragua & Angèl from Bolivia. But what they all had in common, was that they moved to Madrid decades ago, for love, school and a better life, respectively. Those reasons take courage and a self love to move thousands of miles in search for something better and they found it in Madrid. Each tour & each guide brought Madrid to life, through wine, culture, history & Tapas- lots of Tapas.

And in true SCS fashion, after being overlooked from the beginning, Madrid hit me with the JOY, BEAUTY & FABULOUSNESS, that I didn’t expect. From her humble beginnings, to her ability to bring people together over tapas & wine like no other. She showed me that even on rainy days, she was alive with street sounds and smells of homemade delicacies. Unfortunately, like many people, we didn’t give Madrid the attention she deserved. Fortunately, I know where I will be spending more time in the future. Madrid is a city I will see again. Soon.

Now, I’m bias – I believe second children are the BEES KNEES. We may not be perfect and we’ve had to get creative to show the world our less than obvious strengthens, but the world would be dull with out us.

Madrid, I see you and I can’t unsee you. Our SCS isn’t always easy, but when people see us and embrace us for who we are – a piece of their SOUL remains with us, and you certainly have a piece of mine. Until next time, Adiós.