A Tour of Madrid

  Madrid, Spain and Canary Islands
Friday, July 25, 2008

Hey all,
As promised, here are a few pics. I didn't get a chance to go to Retiro, but pics will come within the next few days. In the meantime, enjoy some other pictures of Madrid.

Yesterday, I showed you guys Callao. Here is the other side, with one of the many movie theaters around the area. Last week, I finally went to the movies for the first time here in Spain. Watched Hancock, but I had to go to a theater a bit further away to watch the undubbed version.


Gran Via


Gran Via is shopping central.


Back down south a bit, sandwiched between my block and the Palacio Real is the Teatro Real (The Royal Theater).


Again, the Plaza Oriente




Here is the entrance to the Palacio Real. I still have yet to go inside, haha.


This is one of the streets leading to the Plaza Mayor. Down a bit is Botin, the world's oldest restaurant. I ate there with my parents back in March, the food was pretty good, not spectacular though, but it was really about the ambiance.


The Plaza Mayor


To the side of Plaza Mayor is Casa Rua, where I take all the people who visit me for calamari sandwiches.


Tasty!


La Bola, a famous restaurant from the late 1800's, right by my house.

It has taken a really long time to find good food in Madrid, partly cause a lot of it doesn't taste very good, but also cause I can't eat out all the time. But I've found some restaurants with AMAZING food. There's an arroceria (literally translated, rice shop) with this delicious oven-cooked rice that beats any Chinese fried rice I've had anywhere. I have yet to try their paella, but I hear it's delicious. I'll be sure to take pictures the next time I go.



Me outside the Prado Museum.


I have a love/hate relationship with Madrid. The history, architecture, and all the sights are incredible, but the combination of rude people, lackluster culinary options, and being completely dependent on public transport have left a bitter taste in my mouth. But I've thoroughly enjoyed living the city life, being close to museums, shopping, bars, and especially the park. Ok guys, park pics will be up in a few days.