Crazy City of Madrid

  Madrid, Madrid, Spain and Canary Islands
Sunday, September 28, 2008

iHola! and greetings from Madrid. We've only spent 2 days here so far, and by no means feel like it will be the strangest place that we will stay, but sometimes it feels like it will be close. Without meaning to offend anyone, Madrillenos are a little strange to say the least. Proof follows...

We met Kim and Magdalena, some portuguese friends on Saturday. Off to a good start - we soon found we had left the camera at home, so memories would have to suffice. Needless to say we started with lunch and a few beers (already the memory was being killed), in one of the hundreds of plazas littered around Madrid, this one being called Plaza Santa Ana. Would recommend to anyone who fancies an easily accessible feeling of the city, with relaxed atmosphere, and amazing food. From there we began our exploration of Madrid on foot, heading for Plaza Mayor,and Plaza del Sol several times before deciding to head for the Palacio Real and the Catedral opposite - unfortunately both were 'Cerrado por descanso!'. Heading down Gran Via with its stunning architecture towards the Fuentes de Cebeles and Neptuno

Fuente de Cebeles

(where the Real and Atletico Madrid supporters celebrate), for another beer. Back towards Plaza del Sol, and we are looking for somewhere else (not cerrado por descanso) to eat, finding ourselves back in Plaza Mayor for some more tapas and Paella. Following the meal there was meant to be a Sarsuela (in Madrilleno) that with all the preparation had not considered the possibilty of rain, which of course came just as it began. Magdalena and Kim left, and we wondered the city for a small bar to reflect on the day, finding an underground blues club nr Plaza del Sol with some free sunflower seeds (pipas). The journey back seemed a little confusing after a day of drinking and walking, not helped by the fact that completely unannounced the metro will change direction and take you back to where you have have already been!

Early start to meet up again with Kim and Magdalena before they leave for Portugal. The day started well with the bus turning up early (or really, really late), but the driver soon made up for this by stopping every 5 minutes for toilet breaks, cigarette breaks and general break breaks. Finally making it to the centre we had a quick stroll around the Bernabeu and breakfast, before returning to the Paseo del Prado and retrekking the route we had done yesterday to get some pics! Checked out Parque Retiro - were Madrillenos go to relax - for a quick row on

Rowing in Retiro

the lake. Not realising that we were apparently doing so at absolute zero

Absolute zero?!

 - not the first time that the spanish have lied to us, but definitely the most obvious. More walking back up Gran Via to pick up a few things we forgot to pack - probably the only time we've ever forgotten anything (!). And then more cafe's and lunch/dinner with tapas of Orejas (pigs ears).

Orejas

DELICIOUS! everyone should try them... or not!
For something sweet to wash down the mains, we began to look for Churros. It seems such a traditional dish people don't seem to like to sell it. Several places advertsied it but when quizzed knew nothing, and i don't think it was only our accent!

Churros con Caro

It probably sounds to everyone like we havent really done much, but madrid is more of a walking city, and it does take a while to get places... hehe and we are not that quick or fit, are we?

Tomorrow off to Plaza de Toros, before hitting the beaches of Venezuela on Tuesday, not sure when we will next find the net, but hope everyone is good. Hasta luego!