Some people believe that in Spain many people keep parts of their lives “separate”. ie: Although you are friends with a spaniard for quite some time, he or she might not include you in their family life or professional life. Two “colegas” o “compis” in a bar sipping cañas, ok; but beyond that, mucha suerte. Well, maybe there was a time when I agreed with that idea but after three years in Madrid I´ve come to realize that while some people are that way (be them spaniards or otherwise), there are some that when you knock on the door, they not only open it but they also let you in.

Recently one of my good friends here in Madrid invited me to visit him at his place of work, Barajas airport. Was it cool to get to see operations and maps of sky highways? Absolutely. Was it interesting to know that there are control towers for the sky and controls towers for airport parking? No doubt. But the best part was the simple opportunity to see where my friend spends his work day, to meet his boss with the handlebar moustache and intense beard, to see the desktop of a wintry scene on his computer and where he leaves his coat while working and where he naps during his shift. It might seem inconsequential to some, but to me it was quite special. This friend has had no reservations opening up his life to me and by doing so has made me feel just that more special and content with my life in Madrid. He may or may not ever read this blog, but I just wanted to put the word out there for all foreigners living in Spain (and especially central Spain), that if you give people time, what they give you is invaluable.