Advertisement
Palacio Real
Here's a pic of the palace. I'm really excited to go back. There's a garden in the back. I can't believe I've been in Madrid for 4 days! Four days, 2 meals, 5 real Spanish words... wow. But honestly, I am loving this place. I'm not sure if the rest of Europe is like this, but it's really, really beautiful. I know, I know, I've said that about 800 times... but really! I'm diggin' Madrid.
So yes, you heard right. No more Spanish, no more food. My friend is taking me out again tonight... I'm pretty sure it's a pity thing. I'm also pretty sure I don't care. I've found that alcohol brings out some Spanish, and if I could just get over my fear, I would be good to go (yes, I just did the taco bell thing). Last night they had a band here at the hostel. There were so many people crammed into such a small space though, that I really couldn't do it. This place used to be a castle, so picture a small stone basement packed with people and smoke so thick you can hardly see. There are a couple things wrong with that for me: 1) I'm INCREDIBLY clausterphobic. Ask my brother... he used to hold my arms down just to
Palacio Real
...and my attempt at a panorama... watch me panic (yeah, I know... I'm scarred for life). I even have a hard time with malls... I won't go into a Wal-Mart unless absolutely necessary (but that has to do both with the crowd and the clientele)... yeah, it's bad. 2) I really can't handle smoke. It hurts my eyes, it makes me feel sick... I just can't do it. As my friend Jill says, "smokers are jokers"... Jill says a lot of things ("in a family way" HAHAHAHA), but she's one smart cookie. Ok, off of my tangent... so I really didn't stay down there too long.
I'm REALLY not adjusting well to this new time. I woke up today at 2:00 in the afternoon. I have never in my entire life slept that late. And this wasn't one of those things where you wake up and fall right back asleep several times.... I literally did not wake up until 2:00. I was kind of upset because I felt like I slept half of my day away, but this is a vacation too, right? So, I got up, got dressed, and went exploring again. This time I ventured over to la Plaza de la ArmerÃa. That
Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Almudena
Here's a cathedral that is in the Plaza del la Armería, right next to the Palacio Real. is where el Palacio Real (Royal Palace) is... super cool. I would've really liked to have gone inside, but since I slept so late, I got there too late. Some other day I'll definately go back. A girl from my room went today too and she showed me pictures (I had no idea she was going)... they were amazing. I'm thinking that's a good plan for Monday.
What is almost even cooler than that plaza, was the walk to it. I walk through the La Latina barrio... it's really old-school Madrid. Close your eyes and get a mental image of "Spain". Yeah, that was what this area looked like. I didn't really do anything there except walk around admiring the buildings. I also walked through a wedding party. Some observations (of course, right?): 1) the sidewalks are literally barely wide enough for 2 people to walk side by side on. I don't know if it's just a Spanish thing or if I would be this way everywhere with such a set up, but think Wal-Mart on a Saturday afternoon (I know, I know... you don't want to). There were people walking incredibly slow, just randomly stopping (like that kid
Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Almudena
I'm terrible at these panoramic shots. It's actually all straight and well built, I just can't hold my camera straight between pictures. when he gets to the bottom of the escalator), and just standing on the sidewalk chatting. That's just not possible considering the heavy traffic and available space, but it's done. It was really annoying, but I guess when in Madrid, right? The tourists are really obvious because they have a camera, tennis shoes, and walk much faster than the Madrileños. I fit this stereotype to a T. And observation 2) I'm really surprised at the amount of filth that's just out on the streets. Not necessarily trash, but stands along Calle de Atocha with dirty magazines (they don't have that nice black cover here), a "Sex Centre"... yeah, in English... I wonder if that's meant to fool the kids, and condom dispensers just randomly on the sides of buildings. You'll be walking down a street and on the side of a building there will be an ATM and a condom dispenser... not that that is necessarily a bad thing... at the university they hand them out like mints... but on the street? Makes me wonder what the STD rate is like here... it should be low with all the safe sex.
Tonight I'm going out with a friend again
Plaza de la Puerta de Moros
There are just these little plazas everywhere. This picture is really of the buildings around it though. for some real Spanish food. I'm kind of nervous after having seen Bizarre Foods from Spain with Andrew Zimmer. Octopus and bull testicles don't sound appetizing (that doesn't look like it's spelled right, but I don't really care) to me. I'll let you know how it turns out. I miss you all!
Advertisement
Tot: 0.099s; Tpl: 0.012s; cc: 9; qc: 48; dbt: 0.0414s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.2mb
Snakes
non-member comment
Ok, you need to get a picture of the condom dispensers