Apr 20th, 2021, 07:30 PM

Nonstop Flight from Paris to Madrid

By Sofia Quintero
Image credit: Unsplash/Alex Vasey
AUP students flee France to experience a couple of days of normalcy in Spain.

Spain has always been known for its fantastic food, its people, and its nightlife. From Madrid to Barcelona, tourists can enjoy the city or the beach and benefit from Spain's astounding culture. Mallorca, Ibiza, and the Canary Islands are mainly known for their highly regarded club scene, attracting millions of tourists every summer. 

As countries around Europe continue to enforce regulations and restrictions to avoid the spreading of COVID-19, Spain seems to be on a different path. With restaurants, bars, stores, and even clubs open, visiting Madrid or Barcelona has become incredibly appealing to those living in countries imposing strict lockdowns such as France, Italy, and the UK. In particular, due to the closeness, Spanish citizens have experienced an exponential rise in French tourists vising the capital city to enjoy a few days of normalcy. According to local news sources in Madrid, during the last weeks of February, "an analysis on cellphones found that 2,560 French tourists were in Madrid - the highest figure since the COVID-19 pandemic began."

AUP students have also taken advantage of this opportunity, in particular, three different students who traveled to Madrid before the third lockdown in France began on April 1st and is scheduled to end on May 3rd. 

A 19-year-old freshman was one of the many who traveled to Spain in the past month. She visited Madrid and stayed there for a week. "Nightlife in Madrid is alive compared to how Paris is now for sure. Curfew is at 11 pm, and all restaurants are open. The culture of eating out for lunch and dinner can be seen again, which is something I deeply missed," she says. After going to a restaurant for the first time in months, she felt nostalgia and happiness at the same time. "It was so nice to finally be able to sit down and order food after many months of not being able to," she says.

Image credit: Unsplash/Sam Mar
 

Another student majoring in International Business and Film Studies also took advantage of going to Madrid. "I went to Madrid two times in March so a combined seven days," she says. She compared nightlife and restaurant culture between France and Spain as absolutely opposite. "It was the best thing ever, the people's energy was significantly better and there was life." She continues by explaining, "Everything closes at 11 pm, so it's more of a day life, so day drinking and terraces are open too. Also, clubs that were usually opening at night are offering day services."

A Spanish native and AUP senior gave her perspective as a local on the matter. Originally from the north of Spain but is living in Madrid now, she has seen the evolution of how Madrid has become a hotspot for tourists and students. "I think it is good for the country because here in Spain, the strongest industries are tourism and entertainment. We love to spend time on the streets, to sit on a terrace, and catch up with friends, etc. We love to eat and drink at restaurants," she explains.

This student in particular has the advantage of being Spanish but has also been able to experience lockdown in France. "Here in Spain social life has definitely increased after the first lockdown. Everyone wants to be outside, at restaurants, seeing friends, enjoying and having a good time. In France, the government doesn't even give people the chance to see friends without it being illegal or secretive. I don't think that's right because when you restrict something for a long time, people just end up doing whatever they want and lose respect for the authorities," she says. 

Image credit: Unsplash/Kit Suman
 

Spain's capital city has become the place to be in times of lockdown and social restrictions. Students and young adults are taking advantage of open borders and escaping their reality of closed restaurants, bars, and clubs. "We love our bars and restaurants; they are part of us and Spanish culture," one student states. Sharing this same opinion, millions of students are benefiting from the late curfew and nightlife that Madrid has to offer.