Heading to the big smoke (Madrid)

[billabongdom]

Well, finally, I've decided to go and live in Madrid for a while, should be there this weekend, all being well. If anyone would like to hook up para tomar algo llámame.

Ciao!!¡ Dominic Tel: 692761474

[Ben]

Congratulations! You won't regret it! We are away this weekend but drop me an email (http://www.notesfromspain.com/contact-me/) next week and we can arrange to have a caña or something!

[richardksa]

However, I am there all next weekend, so if you want someone to have a caña or two with send me a pm and I'll give you my number.

[billabongdom]

Thanks lads !!
Richard I don't know exactly where I'll be staying but I'm looking for a room north of Retiro.

Ben, with regard to working in companies teaching, is there an ideal area to live in to minamise travelling.

[Ben]

Anywhere in the middle I suppose, La Latina, Tirso de Molina, Anton Martin, Lavapies, Atocha, Malasaña, Noviciado, San Bernado... all nice bits of old Madrid!... Or north of the Retiro as you suggest. The metro is good enough to get you anywhere these days... if you are dong a lot of company work you may have to go out of town though in which case being near Atocha or one of the other Cercanillas stops (Recoletos for example) may be handy for getting the train out to business suburbs like Tres Cantos. I would say just stay centralish and you'll be fine.

[richardksa]

Anywhere near metro line 6 - the circle line. Then you can go to anywhere from anywhere.

[Dave_K]

Is Big Smoke a nickname for Madrid?

[richardksa]

It is renowed for being the most polluted capitol city in Europe. It falls way short of EU directives regarding air purity etc. But it is far cleaner than Cairo.

[djS]

big Smoke now that a good one like the red neck would saw

[Dave_K]

It is renowed for being the most polluted capitol city in Europe. It falls way short of EU directives regarding air purity etc. But it is far cleaner than Cairo.

Interesting. I had never heard it called that before. Though I do see it, as I always thought Madrid smelled a lot like New York -- a mix of car/truck exhaust, tobacco smoke, and other random smokey aromas.

[djS]

talking about the big smoke how mush a Metro tickets and weely one are ten tip on any new english site to get that off

Very ture = Madrid smelled a lot like New York -- a mix of car/truck exhaust, tobacco smoke, and other random smokey aromas.
live in nyc and Breezy Point Jamaica bay

But at lest Madrid rebuit there metro and add somethink like 40 more to its system if iam right


jurdy

[Dave_K]

Yes, Madrid's Metro is very good. It also reminds me a lot of New York's (and not like Washington's, though 20% of our Metro cars were made in Spain -- the ones that are currently being blamed for problems:o).

[que]

:D

I dont think 'big smoke' really has anything to do with the polution of Madrid in particular.

Isn't it just an expression? A way to refer to a city in General? LOL.

We always refer to London here as 'the big smoke'

"He's gone to work in the big smoke". Actually, now you mention it, where does it come from?

[richardksa]

I thought London was just "The Smoke", no adjective applied.

If you had lived in London before the passing of the clean air act in the late fifties, you would know from whence the name comes.

[greytop]

:D

I dont think 'big smoke' really has anything to do with the polution of Madrid in particular.

Isn't it just an expression? A way to refer to a city in General? LOL.

We always refer to London here as 'the big smoke'

"He's gone to work in the big smoke". Actually, now you mention it, where does it come from?
This articl (http://www.phrases.org.uk/bulletin_board/12/messages/1139.html)e suggests it is to do with the pollution in cities. Before the Clean Air Act in Britain London & other cities were certainly beset with problems such as "pea-soupers", very heavy fogs full of industrial and coal smoke. The fog was a yellowy green colour and not nice to breathe. For people with respiratory problems they could be fatal. Parts of the world developing an industrial base probably have the same problems today! Only the rich can be fussy.