Pride March

We didn’t do much on Saturday, conserving our energy for the parade ahead. At 5pm Scott, Luke and Juan came to collect us. We collected some booze and food along the way then found a nice grassed mound opposite the closed Recoletos station which was covered in shade.

We were early enough to stake out an area, sit down and chill. We saw Alex walk by and got his attention; he returned after a while to hang with us. Juan’s friends came too. We had quite the party going on. I think the parade was supposed to start at 6 or 7 but it was hours later before it even reached us. We were near the end of the route but it still took forever to reach us so we spent a lot of time talking.

The crowd filled up, the walking groups came through, it was all very fiesta. By about ten though it looked like everything had finished. Glen had gone back to the hotel and I stayed and talked to people for a bit and then left about 11 as the corporate floats started coming through. At 11!

I heard later from Luke that there were a lot of corporate floats and it all ended with an awesome outdoor dance party. If we ever come again, I’m not booking anything for Saturday night but will instead spend it all at the parade and after party. 

Glen, me, Fionn and Johan went to Into the Tank instead which was a pretty crap party and left me feeling a bit deflated from what was a great atmosphere at the parade. Live and learn. We left about three and the streets were still heaving with people. Totally amazing! Going to bed was also totally amazing too.

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Late start on Sunday morning. Glen opted to sleep away most of the afternoon too so Fionn, who was staying in our hotel too, and I went to El Retiro, the big park in Madrid, to chill out on the grass for a few hours, chat and watch people. A couple of glorious hours passed and was a nice chilled way to spend the day. 

We then went for dinner and checked out one of the free outdoor parties but it wasn’t hitting the spot so we returned to the hotel. Glen was awake and wanted food so we went out again to the same Japanese restaurant we’d been to before. Glen had food while Fionn and I had dessert. We had tickets to another party that night but we figured it was going to be the same as the night before – i.e. disappointing – and decided to be sensible and stay in (who are we?!). A couple of episodes of Schitt’s Creek then goodnight and goodbye to Fionn before crashing into bed. 

The holiday was at an end.

We got up on Monday morning, finished packing, checked out and caught the train to the airport, having to buy a ticket because I can’t count and bought a ticket when we arrived for one day less than required. Oh well. Got to the airport to find no queue at check-in and two hours to kill. Better to be early than late I suppose. We’re now on our way to visit Monika in Bremen, Germany, to spend (possibly) a few quieter days before our return home at the end of the week.

Madrid has been excellent. The pride event was so well organised and so full of fun things to do that I’d say it’s my favourite of all the pride events we’ve been too. Luke, Juan and Scott were also so welcoming and generous that their inclusion of us in their plans really made this trip special. We also met some really lovely, friendly people from all over the world and for me it had the kind of feel that a pride should have. I would absolutely come again and I’m so glad we went.