Scouting

Madrid. Arrived. Safe and sound. Found our hostal, a one-star trap where things ARE what they seem: no surprises. But all is well. Yesterday running around to see apartments fit for four. We managed to see 3.
The first one was a spacious 120 meter monster on the 6th floor of a 14 storey building not far from el Parque del Buen Retiro (which, btw, isn't half as big as I thought but offers lots and lots of delightfully shapen trees to have endless hours of rest under). The kitchen was as old as me and (oh no!) they didn't have a vidrioceramica stove that has become absolutely vital in my mind (imagine a stove surface that you can clean with a soapy sponge and rinse with abundant water without causing damage or the sponge getting caught and stuck in impossibly elaborate jungles of metal spikes: I just can't live without it). The apartament did feature two big bedrooms with seemingly en-suite bathrooms. And, fair enough, a garage (I know, we don't have a car, but our housemates do).
Overall: Next to park, with a parking space.
The second one (barrio salamanca) was owned by a 60-year old grump who couldn't share a smile with us. I guess it's his style, he tries not to get too carried away. Would-be tenants might suspect he likes them (and that's not good for business). The flat is on the second floor of a 6 storey building on one of the main streets in Salamanca. It has a modern kitchen that's in virtually mint condition, two big bedrooms (one without a bed that's perfect for my carpet-meets-mattress cheap-futon-style project) each with a (hear, O, hear) walking-closet! Plus, the flat is *only* 1250 and the heating is included. No garage though.
Overall: This could work.
The third was on the top floor of a building located near Plaza Mayor (for the ones who don't know, a landmark in the very centre of Madrid). It has a beautiful kitchen/living room with many a window and plenty of light/heat to fry our heads (air-condition is provided). The only downside is that one bedroom is tiny and devoid of sunshine and the other (second floor/mezzanine) is instead a proper master bedroom with 2 windows plus a skylight. No way we could have decided which couple would have the pleasure to sleep under the starry night of Madrid.
Overall: Fit for a king or a wealthy couple with a movida-oriented mind.

Hasta la proxima,
Michael