Where I live: Madrid : Luis Oliveros

Working with UN agencies and rotating duty stations every 2, 3 years at most, is indeed very enjoyable … if that is what you like. I did like it very much, that is what I had always looked for, and that is how I lived for quite a number of years. The Tale says that, at the beginning, there was one: me. And then, there were two. And then, there were two children.

The Nomad living style has many advantages for the children: they learn to be citizens of the world, racism is an inexistent word in their mind and vocabulary, they can try every imaginable kind of food, learn to speak fluently in a couple of months whichever is the local language (only if they like it), enjoy many different cats coming home for dinner, see mountains and valleys, peace and war, wildlife at its best …. Plus, we came to Spain every year for holiday, where grandparents would do what grandparents usually do. But at one point, we had to reconsider.

The Cathedral (from the Royal Palace)

Children need roots. Like cats, they need to know what they will see tomorrow, their environment, have permanent friends and stability, grow confidence, create good memories, and have peace of mind.

They have to finish an academic program, if possible, go to University, have boyfriends and girlfriends, and experience life on their own. So, after many years of wandering through the world, a decision was taken: no more UN. Spaniard, go home ! Which in my particular case, was Madrid, Spain.

Aristocratic Madrid: The Royal Palace from the The Royal Theatre

The common link all along had been the French Lycée. Coincidentally, it is in Madrid where the biggest Lycée in the world is so, no problem. The children finished their schooling in Madrid and they went on to University. But life does not always come as you would like it to. Spain, Madrid and the rest of other Spaniards were mostly OK, at times not OK, although better than other places I had seen. But you do not feel things in the same way when you are involved, when it is your own place, your own tribe, when you cannot feel detached. As I always suspected, the rest of the world, and the UN, were best for me, back to the beginning, only that, this time, the children could and would choose: they liked it there, they already had their roots, they wanted to stay in Madrid so, they stayed. They came to see me on holiday and I went to see them while on leave. Everybody is happy.

The UN, like everything in this world, has a time limit. I used to wonder where I would go on retirement and, frankly, I could not decide. I kept asking. One day, a very good friend of mine solved the riddle for me: you will go where your children are. And that is how I ended in Madrid, where, incidentally, I was born.

Only one more little detail left to tell. A number of years later, my children came to the same conclusion. They have or are in the process of leaving Madrid. For me, It is difficult to restart again, especially with the pandemic now, but I do not lose hope. We'll see. I know the world is still there, waiting for me.

A square well inside the oldest part of Madrid (Some things do not change)

Wine and Tapas!

La plaza Mayor (next to “La puerta del Sol, Madrid and Spain Center)

There are many parks in Madrid. The oldest (and most beautiful) is “El Retiro”, behind el Museo del Prado.  “El Estanque” in el Retiro is where every couple once went on a Love trip.

“El Palacio de Cristal” within El Retiro, now used for art exhibitions

Although Madrid is in a desert, there are many parks, well loved and visited by all. Because of this,  

Madrid has very little rainfall, but when it rains, especially at the end of the summer, even dogs go to see the rain

And when it rains, specially in spring, flowers and insects appear in full splendour with  remarkable vigor

Madrid has some street art.  I have seen this same Head (or very similar) in Poitier

Two views from the old “Correos” (Post Office) of the famous “La Cibeles”  in the corner with the Central Bank (where Real Madrid followers go to celebrate when they win a competion). In the second frame, the blue building under construction (actually repairs) is in Colon Square

Spain s literally an old country.  Too many people above 65 years (I am one of them) so there are a few facilities or activities for the elderly

Madrid sky is usually very blue.  If it is cloudy, the sky may look quite dramatic

It does not snow that often in Madrid.  The Storm called Philomena in January 2021 had quite an impact

The first lines of the Metro (subway) of Madrid date back to 1914.  This station is one of the modern ones

Cherry blossoms color the city in April, May.  This green parrots - an alien species from Latin America that eat everything including the local birds -  do like eating the flowers.  I prefer just looking at them.

There are many domestic pets but not so many places where you can see other animals.  During the Pandemic, some places were more empty than others  - I took the chance to visit them in peace.