A typical afternoon in Madrid

Exercise 1.4

The sun is scorching high above the city. The air is hot at the Opera Square. Even last night it was still 30 degrees. An older couple sits under a small tree, he plays the accordion, she plays the tambourine, while Spaniards rush across the square, tourists squinting their eyes and sweating in their way, and dirty possibly homeless people apathetically hanging on benches at the edge.

During a break, it is silent. You can hear airplanes flying over the city and a few birds chirping. But only a few human conversations. Maybe it's just too hot to talk today. Some of the passing people talk on their phone. A worker washes his face at the drinking fountain. Then two girls collect water from it in a large tub. A big strong man passes by, clutching a purple gymnastic mat under his arm. Is he going to yoga right now?

Occasionally it smells of urine. Unfortunately, the nice cafes around the beautiful square don't give off any scent.

Now I fill my bottle with water. The accordion-tambourine couple moves a few meters away. And the sun slowly and sluggishly, but steadily, around the square.

A typical afternoon in Madrid.