Excellent instruction from our lodging host got us through the Madrid subway system without a hitch.  Transferring between 3 different lines (pink, navy blue, light green) was easy, and this “first time” was made easier by the lack of crowds on this holiday a.m.  From our subway exit it was a 10-ish minute walk through a neighborhood to the apartment we’re staying at.  Having extra time,  we would have loved to find an open coffee shop – but no-go (none open on New Years Day).   Cold morning (30 deg) with clear skies.  Norberto showed up on time to let us into our new “home” for the next 10 days.  A small but efficient newer 4th floor apartment, windows to the street.  The street level is peppered with small bars, restaurants, grocery and produce stores, and various other service stores.  Very handy.  Apartment dwellers compete for parking spots on the street, and on the sidewalks on the “no parking” side of the street.  Most of the apartment buildings in this area are not big – 4-5 stories with 3-5 places on each floor.

Caution: Watch for lit cigarette butts flicked from upper balconies, salt disguised as sugar in a canister (‘this tea sure tastes funny’), and dog poo on the sidewalks.