Language Exchange Party (Inter-cambio) – At Cafe Madrid

This Ain’t Yo’ Average Mix and Mingle Scene!

I will be the first to admit, I am not very keen on the “inter-cambio” or “mix and mingle” scene. As Woody Allen famously said in Annie Hall, “I would never want to belong to any group that would have someone like me as a member.”

However, I was more than pleasantly surprised when Map Magazine asked me to attend the social gathering of MadridBabel last Wednesday night. My expectations were of a group sitting around three or four tables in a cervezeria lamenting about their Madrid (Español) experiences, but, as I made my way up the Calle Escalinata the din from the ‘Cafe Madrid’ seemed very intriguing.

In fact, once inside (about 10:30 PM) the crowd was lively and well – ummm – in full party mode. Groups of two, three to eight were obviously enjoying themselves and either knew each other or were having a great time making new acquaintances. As I made my way to the bar, I knew this was obviously not an Anglophone gathering – Spanish, English, French, German and English-sounding Scandinavian accents were present.

As I arrived at the Bar – I was met by a very gracious, friendly and bi-lingual staff from which I procured a copious, good quality beer at the price of 2,50 Euros (which seemed to be the drink-du-jour). Having earlier decided to play coy, I decided to cut to the chase and asked who I could speak to about the group because I wanted to report on it for a web-site. I was immediately introduced to Susana and Fran – both Spaniards who began this international meeting group over seven years ago.

Well, the following conversations (in between Susana receiving besos from friends) and Fran mingling amongst others, were very informative.

“This is a very informal group” she said.

“But it looks so organized” I countered. . .

”Well, after a few years you get to know one another – but our goal is more and more newcomers. . . .”

The group is mostly late twenty year olds to early sixty year olds and professionals living in Madrid. Race, creed, color, language and sexuality are not factors.

Besides the Wednesday night gathering they have activities during the week -different ones every week. A flyer is available upon entrance and the events for the week of May 28th were a “Tapas and Copas” evening on Friday in Lavapìes, and a Sunday afternoon aperitivo in La Latina before going on to the Feria del Libro in Retiro. Dinners in restaurants with cinema outings are also part of most weekly routines and do need a signing-up which is available on their website -new ideas are always welcomed. The site is: http://es.groups.yahoo.com/group/madridbabel

In the end, I had a wonderful time. As it was a late work night for me, well, in the end it became later, but for an international and enjoyable evening – or other event with this group – this Tower of Babel comes highly recommended.