SPAIN --- MADRID! (July 7th)

 This is what I read online about Madrid:

"Madrid, Spain's central capital, is a city of elegant boulevards and expansive, manicured parks such as the Buen Retiro. It’s renowned for its rich repositories of European art, including the Prado Museum’s works by Goya, Velázquez and other Spanish masters. The heart of old Hapsburg Madrid is the portico-lined Plaza Mayor, and nearby is the baroque Royal Palace and Armory, displaying historic weaponry".

I only visited for a day, sad to say... and as such, failed to experience most of what is mentioned here. It was just too bloody hot-- and too difficult to navigate -- to try to do more. It will just have to wait for a return trip, when it is much cooler! 

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Because I was a guest in the home of my friend, Diego, and he lives outside of the city in the suburbs (in a little town called Brunete), it was quite the journey getting into Madrid proper. 

Diego was kind enough to drive me to the closest light rail (tram) stop, where I boarded the train and went all the way to the end of the line, in Madrid. This took a little over half an hour. Once I arrived in the city, I had to switch to the Metro, and that is when the "fun" really began! I got seriously lost in the incredible web of rails, and thought that I might be doomed to riding the trains all day long, not getting to see anything at all!! But, of course, with the help of several friendly Spaniards, I finally DID immerge victorious, back into the bright Spanish sunshine! 

In fact, the Metro spit me out onto Via Grande, the main boulevard running through the center of the city. There, I was pleased to see some fabulous architecture... which helped make up for my dismay about seeing the usual distressing icons of Americana (namely, McDonald's, Burger King, Colors of Benelton, and the like). 

I was also happy to see that some of the smaller, pedestrian streets were covered with colorful bands of fabric, helping cool the shoppers and wanderers below. This was badly needed, but didn't entirely thwart that blazing sun! It was SO hot, in fact, that I did not make it far at all. I DID see a few landmarks before retreating back onto the Metro and heading back to Diego's digs. 

Still and all, it was not a bad day...it was ultimately worth the trip. 



As so often happens in my wanderings, I have NO idea what I am looking at here! But it was indeed beautiful. 


A cute sidewalk bookstore was nestled against a lovely historic building here. 


At least there were blue skies and puffy clouds, despite the blazing heat, making a lovely backdrop for the old buildings! 







I couldn't make any sense of this ridiculous, manned bear at all!!! Appropos of nothing in the surroundings, I guess he was just there to provide photo ops for the tourists. I thought the occupant might be dying in there...but get this: These giant costumes have built-in air conditioning systems!! Truly crazy, right!? There was also a gorilla standing in this square, but he was less cute than the bear! 


Nice view of the city from a high point... 




The royal palace of Madrid


The cathedral/museum across from the palace




I loved how so many of the buildings that were built on corners came to points, like this one... I imagine a great challenge to construct!





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