The Magnificent Madrid Metro

A quick something about the Madrid metro: it is phenomenal. Simple, user friendly, plain to see maps in every station, around every corner, easily guiding you to your transfer. Logical straight forward representations of each line are cleanly presented inside each car. One does not need to speak the language to navigate the Madrid metro but only recognize station names. Comprehension is not necessary. I've had much less stress working the Madrid metro than NYC's, funny because I speak English. Recalling my early struggles with the T in Boston I'm thankful for the Madrid metro.

Ahh the T. Unpredictable arrivals with only departing crowds, waiting crowds, or no crowds to inform you of a train's time of arrival or departure (I'm looking at you green line). Dingy stations, crowded tiny cars, oh the nostalgia of the sardine tin conditions. Come to Madrid where every arrival is only a few minutes away, telling you on a ticker, which will then flash--get this--the arrival of the following train. I did not know such technology existed. Where every car is clean and spacious. And stations rock this sort of artwork:

My station, Paco de Lucia

Hey Boston, take some friggin' notes.