Friday, May 7, 2010
Greetings from Paris
Bonjour! We arrived in Paris on Thursday morning after taking an overnight train from Madrid Wednesday night. The train ride lasted about 14 hours -- we slept, but still very tiring trip. Having the opportunity to experience Parisian culture makes it all worth it. Of which -- check out this picture I snapped of the Eiffel Tower at night. Good stuff.
Palacio Real de Madrid
The Royal Palace is the largest palace in western Europe. It's the official residence of the current King, Juan Carlos, but he and the royal family live in a more modest home outside Madrid. It was cool touring the Palacio Real, but unfortunately one wasn't able to take pictures inside.
Anne taking it all in.
Anne taking it all in.
Biblioteca National de Espana = FAIL
Since we are not members of the National Library of Spain, library staff would not permit us to tour inside. But the affable senora explained that the Biblioteca operated a museum open to the public. Unfortunately, it was closed when we arrived. Still, the architecture and surrounding landscape were quite photogenic.
Even if the Biblioteca National wasn't open for our viewing pleasure, the Hard Rock Cafe, Madrid was nearby. Admittedly not part of the traditional Spanish palate, HRC reminded us a little bit of home. And the food was pretty darn good, too.
We can't forget about me looking awkward in front of the Hard Rock building.
Even if the Biblioteca National wasn't open for our viewing pleasure, the Hard Rock Cafe, Madrid was nearby. Admittedly not part of the traditional Spanish palate, HRC reminded us a little bit of home. And the food was pretty darn good, too.
We can't forget about me looking awkward in front of the Hard Rock building.
In the streets of Spain
I love meandering through the streets of Spain. Capturing the essence of everyday life is a wonderful thing. I found it necessary to take a respite from the "tourist" persona and just enjoy the little things -- people watching, drinking cafe con leche (coffee with milk) and enjoying a different environment and pace of life.
Lovely cut off tree tops and flowers. Just what I always dreamed.
Just some more great photos of Madrid. Love it.
Lovely cut off tree tops and flowers. Just what I always dreamed.
Just some more great photos of Madrid. Love it.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Still a Busy Little Traveler
Madrid is such a great city, and I've cherished the time we have spent here. There is never a shortage of places to visit, foods to try, or streets to saunter through. This is the best of Spanish culture and I love it.
Spain's famous El Oso y el Madrano (The Bear and the Strawberry tree) which is the symbol of Madrid.
Statue of Carlos III
There is a very cool market in Madrid--and apparently world famous-- called Mercado de San Miguel. Boy, did it smell fishy!
Yum! If we only had time...
The Almudena Cathedreal is a magnificent representation of Gothic revival style and Neo Gothic interior architecture. Interestingly, I was surprised to learn that its construction began in 1879, abandoned until 1950 and then finally completed in 1993.
My favorite picture from the Cathedral is the organ. It's resplendent.
Busy Little Traveler
Despite our earlier plans of visiting the Palacio Real (Royal Palace) on Monday, the Palace was closed for an official ceremony. Very well. What to do? Plenty.
In the small town of Alcala de Henares, which is about 20 miles outside of Madrid, we visited the birthplace of Spanish writer Miguel Cervantes who wrote the classic, Don Quixote. Regretfully, the museum is closed on Mondays, so we were unable to visit inside.
The street running past Cervantes' birthplace.
My sister and I didn't think the experience would be complete without a photo op with Don Quixote and his trusty sidekick, Sancho Panza
After a train ride back from Alcala, and a quick jump on the Metro, we found ourselves in the Plaza Mayor.
King Philip III, the statue in the center
Not sure what happened to the venerable superhero, but Spiderman doesn't look quite the same in Spain.
In the small town of Alcala de Henares, which is about 20 miles outside of Madrid, we visited the birthplace of Spanish writer Miguel Cervantes who wrote the classic, Don Quixote. Regretfully, the museum is closed on Mondays, so we were unable to visit inside.
The street running past Cervantes' birthplace.
My sister and I didn't think the experience would be complete without a photo op with Don Quixote and his trusty sidekick, Sancho Panza
After a train ride back from Alcala, and a quick jump on the Metro, we found ourselves in the Plaza Mayor.
King Philip III, the statue in the center
Not sure what happened to the venerable superhero, but Spiderman doesn't look quite the same in Spain.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Beer and Bulls
In our effort to fully experience the Spanish culture, we decided to check out a bull fight on Sunday night. But before taking the train to the Plaza de Toros, there was beer to consume -- Spanish beer that is. We stopped at a little outdoor cafe, Coliseo, and enjoyed the ever popular Estrella Damm
From a cultural standpoint, I'm glad I added a Spanish bull fight to my collective, life experiences. I'm aware of the controversy this traditional spectacle elicits, and, at times, I found myself wondering if the rules could be changed to allow for more sport and less blood. With that said, I was impressed with the deft madators--displaying their ability to "dance" with a dangerous bull and not get gored in the process.
Outside the stadium in Madrid
The bull fight in progress
From a cultural standpoint, I'm glad I added a Spanish bull fight to my collective, life experiences. I'm aware of the controversy this traditional spectacle elicits, and, at times, I found myself wondering if the rules could be changed to allow for more sport and less blood. With that said, I was impressed with the deft madators--displaying their ability to "dance" with a dangerous bull and not get gored in the process.
Outside the stadium in Madrid
The bull fight in progress
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