Posts by Alexandra Spencer
Alexandra Spencer: December in Spain
Madrid Monthly Account: December The start of December sees Madrid shift into its primary festive state, with the city centre becoming the focus of extensive holiday preparations. The atmosphere is notably vibrant, driven by the immediate presence of the spectacular Christmas Lights (Luces de Navidad), which illuminate major arteries such as Gran Vía, Alcalá, and…
Read MoreAlexandra Spencer – Spain:November time!
November truly solidified the seasonal transition in Madrid. The beautiful, intense sunshine of early autumn disappeared, replaced by shorter days and a chilling air that demanded the use of heavy coats and scarves, bringing that beautiful, crisp European winter feeling. This shift naturally pushed my activities indoors, concentrating my social life around the warmth of…
Read MoreAlexandra Spencer: October reflections, Spain – October 2025
October brought a definitive, welcome shift in Madrid’s climate. The brutal, unforgiving heat of September finally gave way to a crisp, cool autumn air, the kind that calls for a light jacket and makes the granite buildings feel cozy and contemplative. This sudden change in atmosphere perfectly mirrored my necessary shift in focus: away from…
Read MoreAlexandra Spencer: A September to remember – Spain, September 2025
September was a whirlwind of intense firsts, a blur of new sounds, logistics, and continuous motion. The initial part of the month felt like a solo mission to achieve basic operational status: I secured my Abono Transporte, the key to unlocking the city, and spent days mastering the intricate web of the Metro and Cercanías…
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