It’s August in Madrid. It’s that time of year again for a mass exodus of vacationers out of the city. There is even a term for this herd-like rush of nearly three million people (half the capital’s population) out of the city: “Operación Salida” (Operation Exit). Those of us left behind are living in a ghost town with little traffic and no lines in shops. It’s a relaxing balmy urban paradise.
Though there is one glitch in this utopic world: business closings. Be aware that anywhere you want to be and plan to go will be closed when you arrive. Last year I planned to go to a favorite restaurant and when I got there it was closed so I tried a plan B restaurant and I was met with the same fate. I think I settled for a kebab in the end, though this year even the kebab place is closed in August.
But, the good thing is that major chain stores and my local Chinese shop (similar to a dollar store) don’t close so I can just about get by until the business owners migrate back in early September. And then my favorite restaurants and shops will open again and life will be back to normal and I'll need a vacation from the busyness of city.
Though there is one glitch in this utopic world: business closings. Be aware that anywhere you want to be and plan to go will be closed when you arrive. Last year I planned to go to a favorite restaurant and when I got there it was closed so I tried a plan B restaurant and I was met with the same fate. I think I settled for a kebab in the end, though this year even the kebab place is closed in August.
But, the good thing is that major chain stores and my local Chinese shop (similar to a dollar store) don’t close so I can just about get by until the business owners migrate back in early September. And then my favorite restaurants and shops will open again and life will be back to normal and I'll need a vacation from the busyness of city.