District dawdlin'

Yesterday was one of those gleefully gratifying days when I really, really couldn't have been much more c o n t e n t. I took advantage of my sábado [Saturday] off with a real rigorous root around Madrid's Malasaña district, the capital's vibrant and buzzy cultural core. Since emerging as the hub of post-Franco Spain's effervescent, freewheeling art scene in the late 70s/early 80s, known as La Movida Madrileña (spearheaded by Pedro Almodóvar, Alaska and Ouka Leele to name a tiny few), this bustling barrio continues to be the stomping ground of avant-garde kinda cats with creative cravings and liberal leanings. A dazzlin' display of vintage boutiques, caffeine dens (I've now been well and truly courted by my go-to casa de cafés), music stores and street style. Not to mention a healthy bit of grit.

The high-spirited heart of the neighbourhood is definitely to be found in the Plaza del Dos de Mayo, where I merrily chanced upon  Dosde Market, Malasaña's independent design mercado (below).

Call me super sad if you will, but, post-wander, sat in my beloved Toma Café with good coffee(s), good beats and a good read, I was just so happy. 

Oh, stop it you...

...two.

Ahh I love this city. LOVE IT.

* my fresh finds'll be up on my guide-to-be!

Paradise Found

...and it goes by the name of La Palma. I recently returned from a very cheeky five day vacay (as if living in Spain wasn't enough already) in this exceptionally be-a-utiful Canary Island. It's "la islaaa bonitaaaa" that Madonna dedicated her 1987 hit record to, and after the awe-inspirin' adventure my host familia and I've just had there, I might just have to pen my own little ode to La Palma too. Seriously stunning (black!) sandy playas, superabundant banana plantations, squeaky clean air and colourful casas aplenty. With its highest point El Roque de los Muchachos ["the rock of the lads"] peaking at 7992 ft above sea level, the views to be seen are just !*%!*^!*. One of the most idyllic islets I've ever been to, that's for sure. But enough of me, I think a visual account will do it much more justice: 

 

Take it away, Madge.