4. tetuán day!

To be clear, Tetuán Day isn't a real day. It's something I made up. There is an actually day for the neighborhood, but it coincided with Gay Pride Week and the World Cup, and who knows what else. I was busy, or asleep. That being said, for a day that I made up, it was awesome. Adventure! Food! Free midday shots! The participants included myself and Sarah, also known as the usual suspects. It was a sunny day that started off with a soccer game in (you guessed it) the Tetuán league. After everyone asked declined to participate in the festivities, Sarah and I wandered off in search of a famed horchatería called la Fábrica Antigua. However, it was already closed for the season, but instead of this minor setback putting a damper on our civic spirit, we strolled toward a bakery near my house to preempt lunch with some pastries. I mean, really, it was still a little too early and we hadn't missed breakfast by that much. We settled for a pestaña, a fried dough creation covered in honey, and something golden and croissant-like that was filled with raspberry and ricotta. Surprising only to us, they were incredibly delicious, as things fried and covered with honey or stuffed with ricotta usually are. After a quick stop by my apartment for a shower, we headed to a chicken place that I have passed on my street for two years and not once entered. It's not as if it didn't smell enticing, but it's a bit intimidating to walk into somewhere that has no menu and serves an exclusively Dominican clientele. I already stick out like a sore thumb, and most of the time, I would like to not be stared at. That being said, this day was no ordinary day. This day was Tetuán Day, and on Tetuán Day, you can go anywhere shamelessly, head held high, proud to live in a barrio that no one wants to go to and makes people feel bad for you. So I have proclaimed. In we walked, and who did I see? The neighborhood barber who makes me feel super uncomfortable because whenever I walk by, he sticks his head out of his shop and makes comments that include: "You're going to give me a stroke," "You're precious," and "Come here," in addition to whistling. Did I mention the staring? Before I lost my nerve and told Sarah that we needed to run away, we were already seated and had ordered the only thing they had...Chicken! And, although I was stared at the entire meal, I totally enjoyed the chicken, yucca, avocado plate that was before me. We raved, I licked my fingers, and then we were invited to free shots. It was a true fiesta. Alas, for those unaccustomed to Tetuán, it was a little rough on the stomach. After early enthusiasm, Sarah was ready to crash, and she barely made it back to my apartment before collapsing from exhaustion. So much awesomeness in one day can really take its toll.

12. La Mucca, not just for drinks

Confession: It started with just drinks, but food was served and eaten, so it still counts. I mean, I very nearly licked the plate. Delicious. But I'm getting ahead of myself. It started with a meeting on the metro. Tara, coming from far, far away, flagged me down and we headed to the Malasaña neighborhood (it's too cool for school, trust me). La Mucca is right there in the heart of it, next to el Palentino, the legendary dive bar, on Calle Pez (I have yet to

see a fish). Since it was early, we grabbed a table outside and enjoyed one of the last days of warmth (although as I write this, it's bright and sunny outside and you could easily walk around in short sleeves). We breezed past the school gossip over our first round, a mojito and a "dirty" martini.Side note: If you are going to put "Dry Martini" as a drink option, do your research. The drink is a martini. Dry is one way of serving it. Dirty is another way of serving it. If i want a dirty martini instead of dry, do not look at me like I'm a crazy person. It's a real thing. Look it up, and stop giving me something different every time I order one. Immense, dramatic sigh. Anyway. After this round, another followed, and then we started to get a little hungry. And also, there's the "always eat dinner" rule to contend with (it's very inflexible). We decided on nachos and a salad, and shockingly, both were delicious. There was no weird surprises on the nachos (green mayonnaise, tomate frito, etc.) and the salad had ham and cheese and a bright dressing, and it was amazing. Then our friend Brian showed up, and we headed out, then Darwin called, I got a text from Sarah and Nuria...needless to say, I got home around five, smelling of smoke, exhausted, and nearly penniless, but with a full stomach.