Madrid Airport is so confusing It took me forever just to get out and find some kind of transport which turned out to be bus 203 to Cibeles where I got to Sol station. It was just a short walk to my Only for Women hostel and just a few minutes to find the checkin instructions. Very clean and pleasant place.

After settling in I decided to check out the Las Letras neighborhood. Unfortunately I walked north up Calle Montera and Calle Fuencaral. Shop after shop after shop. So many chain stores you could be in any European city.

Stopped for an excellent tinto and crusty fried cheese snacks at Tapa Tapas.

Afterwards I does back to my neighborhood and stopped for a razione of grilled mushrooms at the very casual La Oreja de Jaime.