The closest metro to where I live at the moment is Anton Martin which is a 5 min walk away. The area around this station is quite interesting as there are plenty of shops and people. So on Saturday morning, I woke up around 10am and went out looking for breakfast.
As I walked around, I noticed that there is plenty of fresh food for sale. Like crazy numbers of shop selling fresh everything.
As I was looking at an 'interesting' poster, I suddenly realized that there was a hidden Mercado or Market here.
A Mercado is an indoor market. I had found the famous Mercado Anton Martin which the locals depend on for their supply of fresh produce.
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store specializing in selling only cereal from all over the world |
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I thought about scratching my "lucky charms" itch but held back |
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mini-library |
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pickled stuff |
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I'll come back another day to try this Japanese store. I saw 2 of the staff and they were most definitely Japanese. |
I stopped for a quick coffee and sandwich for breakfast at this cafe.
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These are Tortillas (potato pancakes) not cake |
Outside, there was a cinema. I had no idea what they were screening, probably only local films.
With some coffee in my system, I made my way to Lavapies. This is a former 'bad neighbourhood'. Most migrants would move into Lavapies upon arrival in Madrid. The entire place is filled with non-Spanish looking people! And there are plenty of Indian and other Asian restaurants all over the place. Today, it is getting more and more gentrified by the day, and there is plenty to see and do here.
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This is the first 24 hour anything I've seen in Madrid. It's an impressive 2 storeys of everything you could need |
Walking around aimlessly, I stumbled upon Mercado San Fernando. This is another Mercado that only locals visit for their daily necessities.
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Can you see the sign? |
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Here it is! |
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You can read, while enjoying a drink |
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while mom and dad are enjoying tapas, the kids play on the floor |
Since it was 2pm, it was time for an 'early' Spanish lunch. Miraculously, I found a Japanese store called
Yan Ken Pon - which had Japanese looking people working in it.
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The Gyoza was a bit soggy. |
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But the Ramen was crazy good. Best I've had in Madrid thus far! |
After lunch, the sun had come out in full force. It was so hot that I decided to head back to my apartment for a nap.
Then I realized why the Spanish have 'siestas'. It's simply impossible to focus on anything when it's so hot outside. They nap until 6pm, and then stores start to open again around 7pm.
Very nice info and lots of interesting stuff,things and places to explore at the Lavapies neighbourhood!
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