Livin Large
Trip Start
Mar 03, 2010
1
8
28
Trip End
May 26, 2010
Madrid, Autonomous Region of Madrid, Spain
Sunday, March 21, 2010
We began our day by walking to Plaza Mayor and saw many street performers including wine glass players, puppeteers, bubble makers, Mickey Mouse and many musicians. We then walked to the Catederal de la Almudena and took a few pictures. Next door is the Palacio Real and there was a very long line so I think we are going to try and go back on Wednesday. Then went to the Jardines de Sabatini, which looked like a big maze. Next, we went to the Jardines de Ferraz, which was on top of the hill and had a neat view of the city. There we also saw the Templo de Debod which was given to Spain by Egypt for there help in excavations. Then we walked down Grand Via which is their main street, they also had a musical dedicated to Michel Jackson and many other Broadway type shows. Then we walked by the Plaza de Espana, which had a huge fountain and a smaller one too. After our siesta we went out to dinner in Puerta del Sol and we ate at a Chinese/Japanese place and had a good dinner. I had duck in a Thai curry sauce and Jim had prawns. We had a great day exploring Madrid and got to see a lot of different places on foot, no need to even use the metro. The people are also very friendly and helpful here, it is a big change from Paris.
Sunday
We walked through the flea market called El Rastro which was a huge outdoor market spanning 15 or so blocks. Where I got a new scarf. Then we walked to the park Del Buen Retiro and saw the Prado on the way. The park is so amazing; it is a 300-acre park with an outdoor sculpture museum, a Crystal palace, and a monument to King Alfonso XII. There is a lake in the park called Estangue Grande where they rent small rowboats. There were many music groups performing not to mention all street performers as well. The park once was a place for only royalty to relax but now is open to the public. Then we walked around and enjoyed all the side streets taking in the culture. We found a Tapas bar and sat down for a bit. Jim got some albondigas (meatballs) with a great sauce and I got a Spanish omelet, more like a potato pie. We enjoyed our Spanish beer and our tapas (and a rest from all the walking). Then tonight we went to a bullfight at the Plaza de las Vantas. It was neat to see but sad how they killed the bulls!!!!
