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We slacked a bit while in Madrid. We were tired and it was a vacation after all. The longest day ever began at 6:30 a.m. Madrid time and ended at 4:30 a.m. Madrid time the next day. 22 hours.
Ending the trip with Madrid was relaxing. There was no car to worry about. We didn’t need a map. The only trouble we encountered was when Bank of America blocked Josh’s debit card, but we had enough to get by for the last two days.
We walked a lot and did Madrid things: went to the Prado and Reina Sofia, ate churros, shopped, ate a picnic lunch in el Parque Retiro. I had done those things before, but for me, the best part about returning to locations previously visited is discovering something new, even if it is very small. At the Reina Sofia, it was a series of photographs by Francesc Catala-Roca.
Last time I left Spain with tons of food and clothing, as if I would never return. This time I bought a few things (and a few bottles of wine), knowing I will go back.
Thanks for reading. I hope we didn’t bore you. I hope we inspired you to make your own itinerary and follow through on it. And if you ever go to Spain, I’d be happy to help in any way.
Plaza de Toros
May starts bullfighting season in Madrid and we went to tonight’s event with excellent seats in the shade (vs. sun) on the lower deck.
Tonight’s event featured El Fandi, one of the best bullfighters in the world and No. 1 in Spain.
Daniel Luque during his second fight.
The third bullfighter (there are three, each takes on two bulls) was a special treat: Daniel Luque, 19. He got two standing ovations and earned an ear from the second bull, which weighed 610 kg (over 1300 pounds).
(pictures to come. we took about 500 between the two of us…)
We arrived in Madrid safe and sound yesterday (I drove.) After dropping off the car, we walked around my neighborhood, my market, where I lived. My cheese man was still there, selling his many, many cheeses.
We took a nice paseo through town (40 minute walk) to the center, Sol. I was surprised how easily the streets and their names came back to me. It felt good.
Madrid is a walking town, and we’ve been doing a lot of it. Last night we went for tapas: gambas al ajillo (shrimp in olive oil and garlic), manchego cheese (hard Spanish cheese), patatas bravas (little fried potatoes with a spicy tomato sauce). Today we ate at one of my favorite restaurants: La sonabresa. The menú del día includes a bottle of wine, 2 courses and dessert.
Josh: pisto manchego (ratatouille), salmón a la planca (grilled salmon), tarta de bombón chocolate (chocolate mousse cake)
Jackie: gazpacho, mero con tomate (fried grouper with tomato sauce and french fries), milhoja (cream between puff pastry)
We had churros for breakfast and had the calamares at the grandmas’ tonight, but the grandma’s weren’t there. (Calamari was still excellent.) We’ll probably go back tomorrow, just for one last chance to see them — and another ración de calamares.
