Madrid

Trip Start May 03, 2009
1
6
18
Trip End Jun 28, 2009


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Where I stayed
Hostal Bruna, Madrid
(Madrid hotels)

Flag of Spain  , Madrid,
Saturday, May 16, 2009

From Madrid airport we negotiate the modern, clean metro to HostalBruna. Our room has shoe box dimensions but has everything we need very nattily arranged. The good thing about it is the location, just across the road from the prado art gallery, botanic gardens and retiro gardens.

First we wander into the Plaza mayor where a fiesta happening. Smartly dressed Madrilenos are promenading and stalls are filled with cheeses, meats, cakes and wines.

We are impressed by the number of tree lined walking streets and how everyone looks healthy and middle class. Maybe its just after Marrakech. It could hardly be more different. We are stunned into inaction when cars stop at pedestrian crossings for us.

We find the Prado open in the evening and even better, gratis, so take advantage We find the Valesquez painting I wanted to see plus lots of huge dark scary works.

Next morning we walk through the beautiful and vaste Retiro gardens which has a lake, a crystal palace, rivers and waterfalls. Its a beautiful day and a lovely place to walk. It feels very 'victorian'. People are roller blading their dogs, sitting in the sun in their Sunday best reading newspapers or just chatting quietly in family groups. Its all incredibly civilized.
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