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21 and Solo Travel in Spain

Yes, this was a real solo trip—on foot, no less! 🙂‍↕️

Before the Journey: Why Madrid?

So, this was actually a transit stop from my trip to @gamejamplus.id and @gamejamplus in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. On my way back, I had to transit through Madrid, then Doha, then Jakarta. Literally flying around the world with so many layovers that I just thought, “Might as well check my luggage all the way through and travel light!” While other passengers had their suitcases, I only carried a small backpack to make immigration and check-ins easier.

When I found out my layover in Madrid was 10 HOURS, I made a bold decision: apply for a Schengen Visa myself!

With only 14 days before departure, I rushed through the process. My budget was tight, I had to visit multiple banks (A, B, C, D) for verifications and stamps, and any missing documents meant booking another appointment. Not to mention, I needed a fresh visa photo, book an EMT Madrid bus on Omio, purchase travel insurance, and anxiously wait for a call from the embassy.

And then… YAY! My visa got approved in less than a week! I applied for a June 24-24 visa, but they gave me one until July! Gracias ❤️

When I Had NO INTERNET—LOL!

This was hands down the most epic moment of the trip!

  1. I got lost at the bus terminal but miraculously managed to board my bus on time.
  2. Bought two different eSIMs from different stores, and guess what? NO INTERNET! In the end, I had to rely on WiFi from the EMT Madrid bus. When I got off? Yep, borrowed WiFi at the bus stop just to check Google Maps. 😭
  3. Had to rush to the Royal Palace for my 3:15 PM guided tour. With no proper internet, I had to rely on GPS and navigate through small alleyways (thankfully, it was daytime and the streets were lively). But, surprise! I found a hidden gem!
    • A 10€ SIM card that actually worked.
    • A 1€ fridge magnet souvenir.
    • A charming street full of tourist spots, including Plaza Mayor!

See? There’s always a silver lining in every challenge! Now, time to catch my next flight—Doha, here I come! ✈️

Arfiana Maulina
Arfiana Maulina
https://arfianamaulina.com

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