I just got back from a long weekend in Madrid, and had a pretty good time of nonstop "tourist-y goodness". I was happy to spend a weekend in a city that actually had some sunshine. On Friday, my cousin was in class all day so I had some time to wander the city by myself. I paid $9 for a guided audio tour that I found online which basically took me all over the city. It started out at the Palacio Real, Madrid's version of Buckingham Palace. But basically, there were lots of plazas and churches, along with a Ham Museum (so random...I didn't go inside). Madrid also has some really pretty street signs. I liked them a lot. The tour ended at the Prado Museum, which was my final stop of the day. It has a lot of really impressive Spanish art, and it was nice to see a lot of the works that we talked about back in high school Spanish class. A lot of them were way bigger than I expected them to be, especially "Las Meninas" by Velazquez, it was be-au-ti-ful. After walking around the city for a few hours, I had lunch and took a short siesta (nap), in true Spanish fashion. After my nap, I went out again the Reina Sofia, another popular art Museum in Madrid. I felt bad for spending less than a half hour there, but I wasn't recognizing a lot of art, except for Pablo Picasso's Guernica - another surprisingly massive painting. Its 11 and a half feet tall and 25 and half feet long...to put it in perspective.I met up with my cousin later in the evening (around 9) for dinner then went out for a glass of sangria with her friends and headed back to my hostel for the night.
Side note: this is the one complaint I have about Spain - and its their eating schedule. I really cannot function eating dinner at 9 or 10 at night, since I really have no willpower when it comes to staying up late. I didn't experience it, but apparently people don't even go out to bars or clubs until 1 or 2 the morning, and then they stay out until 6 or 7 AM. I imagine this is a young person's lifestyle, since how in the world could you maintain a job if you don't even get to bed until 7 in the morning? Even with that middle-of-the-day nap time.
Since I basically saw all of Madrid in one day, my cousin, her friend and I took a day trip out to Segovia on Saturday. Although it was pretty, I was disappointed to find out that it was very overcast - and why would I enjoy that when I get it all the time in London? Its a small city, but we managed to spend a few hours there taking pictures and browsing the shops. Segovia is home to a castle that is possibly the inspiration for Cinderella's Castle in Disneyland. Its not quite as over the top, but you can definitely see the resemblance. The tower of the castle also had some really great views. On the way back we stopped and got some lunch, and I had my first bocadillo de tortilla espanola, and I am officially in love. Its basically an omelette with potatoes and onions on a loaf of french-type bread, and it is amazing. Even if you don't like eggs (ahem...Mom) its delicious. I had 2 more during my stay in Spain. After Segovia, we headed back to Madrid where I took yet another nap. I actually took one every day while I was there, getting up early really took its toll on me. I met up with my cousin and her friend again for dinner, this time at 10:00, and we waited almost 40 minutes for a table at a really good Mexican restaurant, but that could have just been because by that time I was so hungry anything tasted delicious.
On Sunday I met up with my cousin yet again and we went to El Rastro, the big street market they hold every Sunday in Madrid. It was pretty big, with lots of jewelry and scarves (and SO cheap). It was good since I was able to find gifts for friends from home at reasonable prices. After that, we went and walked around Retiro, Madrid's famous park. It looked really beautiful with all the fall colors. It also had a man-made lake in the center where people were using row boats. If I ever go back to Madrid its something I am going to look into. After walking around we stopped and had lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe. You might ask why I would eat there when I am in Spain, but to be honest I could not have been happier to eat an American meal (chicken strips and fries). I went back to my hostel and will not even bother to mention what I did, since I'm sure you already know (hint...it involves sleep). I did dinner on my own this night, and had what my friend recommended I try when I go to Madrid. It was called a doner kebab, and its nothing a shish kebab. Basically they cut really thinly sliced meat off of a rotating spit and put it in a pita with some salad and amazingly delicious sauces. Its Turkish in origin, and I guess its similar to shwarma or gyros. I am going to seek it out in London though, because it was to die for. I met up with my cousin later in the evening for churros, which were disappointing in comparison to the American-ized version that are covered with cinnamon and sugar.
This will be my last post for awhile, since I plan on school consuming my life for the next three weeks. But that was my weekend in Madrid, adios!
Viva Madrid! (& Segovia)
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Posted by Rachel at 8:39 AM
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1 comments:
Love your journey
wheres the link to your pictures
Can wait to see you in London
Love
Dad
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