MadridSurvivalSeries: "I want/need..."

You land in Madrid with intent to inhabit. Flying is a bitch and packing is worse and you seek to expand beyond the minimum allowed weight of living items. Kitchen supplies. a clock. some records and a player. a knife. a shoulder bag. a gas mask. an empty picture frame.

Work. You need shirts. And 2-euro ties. Shoes. a 6-euro watch.

To your surprise, the seasons change here as well (not a joke). What's more, the temperature of the city never seems to level out. Moving along a constant wheel, it bottoms out between 2 and 5 in the small hours and continues to climb toward a peak on the opposite end of the clockface, whence it descends all over again. All of your sweaters and coats are back in the snowy north, and the people around you all seem to have fashionable neckwear. or the palestine picnic sheet, either way they make it work.
Much later, the Spanish heat looms in the not far distance. You will need some more cloth for to sweat in. Maximum sun exposure is desirable, and memories of white linen creep around. sunglasses because, after all, this is europe.

Friends and family have had it with your photos and stories. And their jobs/routines. Maybe your absence is even beginning to wear. You need gifts ("I've been to Spain!!"). Rings bracelets necklaces. Lude tshirts. Real Madrid kits. bullfight posters. belly dancer outfits. white linen. chain wallets. gas masks.

El Rastro.
[~9h - ~15h] 52 sundaes a year.
...

if you're clever, you'll come here and see what the locals do. follow them into a bar/bocadilleria and prepare your stomach for the Real Madrid. you may need assistance your first time...
look out for vermouth and anchovies. or the old favorite, calamares...