Melia Castilla Madrid

... to see some of Madrid by car. We checked in early to our hotel - our room again was small with a huge bathroom. Very clean and very nice. We decided to take a walk and took a long walk to Paseo de Recolates. <br><br>The walk was pleasant although the sheer amount of cars and construction pollution was a little choking. <br><br>Finally we stopped at Café Gijón which calls itself the Gran Café de la historia ...

... at the Plaza de Colon (yeah...his last name isn't Columbus!!) where a modern art sculpture and turned the plaza into a lively skate park--i actually enjoyed seeing the fusion of street play and art. Finally a metro home arriving around 10:30...with an early day tomorrow--heading to Barcelona--and laundry that needed to be done...Burger King was the logical choice--though it was almost three times as much--7 euro for a combo meal!! We ate quick...laundry is drying...almost time to retire!

After spending the first two days getting to know Madrid, we´ve realized how truly great an international city it is. It has a vast array of sights and activities for the young and old of heart: historical sites and art galleries, a robust nightlife, fine restaurants and tapas bars, and a culture that's mastered the art of living the good life. I can honestly say that Madrid has been the best European city I ...

... which is like Madrid´s Louvre) and possibly the Thyssen museum (a smaller art museum). Well, the lines put a stifle to my plans. I initially walked down to the Prado to tool around there and check out some Goya, Valesquez, and their special exhibit, Rembrandt. While I was walking down, I noticed this huge line that seriously went for like 4-5 blocks. I was wondering if maybe they were all in line for the lottery. Apparently they go crazy for the ...

Sunday was another talking day for me...that's basically all I did. I didn't feel like going anywhere - even though what I should have been doing was going around Madrid and giving Madrid the justice that it deserves. I did, I went to the market first thing in the morning. It's a humongo-jumbo market - with everything you would ever need. It's ...

... came in. Now maybe this is Spain, where the average soccer supporter has more brains than the English kind, because these guys were drinking Rioja and eating Jamon Iberica !!! They were that friendly, they gave us Rioja as well. Classy guys. I think that the majority of Euro soccer lovers could learn a thing or two from these guys. Because of the Real Madrid boys, it kind of ****ed the rest of the day. We took a walk over to the Prado museum, but there was no ...

... most left after TNZ cleaned up.Great win.Ross B arrived saturday night quick walk doen to the base and then along to the beachfront for dinner all full or completo.Into the old town great seafood paella left there about 1 am and to the local for a roader left about 2.30 am and then quiet whiskey with the lad 3am bed.

... Pablo and Bea, the brilliant Madrid locals that I met in Morocco, certainly assisted in my drinking myself to near death, for which I am eternally grateful. But it was the arrival of Pete 'Toothless Pete' Dornan that had me writing a will, just in case. Yes it was silly - like some times in Germany. Indeed, at times of thought I still was in Germany. But I survived. Survival? Brilliant. For the record, I've decided that all of my possessions - consisting of a score ...

Lots more walking done since last entry and one big run right around the city centre in a big loop!! Also plenty of relaxing in parks, cafes and bars and checking out churches, museums and art galleries. Yesterday went to an exhibition of Russian Avant-Gardes at Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza - really cool little gallery in Plaza San Martin. Entry to ...

... my parents' former foreign exchange student, and his brother wore dark "mullets" (haircuts short in front, long in the back) and both sang in the shower. Sergei's brother spoke coolly like Rambo. Sergei's mom was boisterous. Sergei's father was quiet and oddly funny with a quirky whine for a voice as if he was breathing in helium. 2. THE PYRENEES - Mountains orange like they're on fire; threatening snow planning its attack from the gray mountain-tops above ...