SPAIN-MADRID-1012

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Valle De Los Caidos (Valley of the Fallen Soldiers) a monument dedicated to the Nationalist Fallen soldiers from the Spanish Civil war. Franco is interred there. Many Spanish think of it as a fascist monument, but they still visit it. It is a grand, massive, stony, very somber and austere monument, cropped and dug into the Guadarrama Sierra Mountains. The outside temperature was about 28 degrees and the inside about 16 degrees Celsius. It is now used and run as a basilica by the monks of the Benedictine order. The monument is about 58 kilometers from Madrid and 12 kilometers from the city of El Escoliar with its renaissance San Lorenzo monastery. Getting there was an adventure. No one gave me a clear answer of how to get there. I will not bother you with the details, but if you are interested, let me know, I will give you detailed information.
I have noticed most people just answer the questions, they will not answer more than what is asked, and they are very short about the answers as well. So basically go figure yourself.
I was back in central Madrid by 4:00 pm walked the Prado again. Had a late lunch at a great tavern, Solomillo with olive oil. It is basically steak with olive oil and grilled green peppers. I will not elaborate further, except that it took my breath away.
Madrid was famous for its cafes and taverns at the turn of the previous century. The Cafes are still around, but there are only a few taverns left They are usually decorated with intricate tile work. From the Prado, I walked back to Puerta Del Sol and the Plaza Mayor. Adjacent to the Plaza Mayor, through one of its portals is the beautiful San Miguel Market. i accidently came across it as I was walking back to the hotel. The San Miguel Market was founded in 1915 and it has the fruit, butchers, vine, florist, bakers, and fish vendors. It is not very big, but the food there is very fresh and delicious. I strolled in it around 8:00 pm, and it was very crowded. Madrid is basically a very crowded city. It is about 10:30 pm on a Monday and the streets are still busy.
I am flying to Lisbon tomorrow afternoon.
I have rented an apartment there. So hopefully there is internet. I will keep you posted.
Love you all...
Till later...
M
p.s. there is a lot of pack pack unpack repack...it is amazing with how little one can live...
M again

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Photos

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VALLE DE LOS CAIDOS

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THE METROPOLIS AT THE GRAN VIA AND ALCALA

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THE BEAR AND THE STRAWBERRY TREET AT THE PUERTA DEL SOL-SYMBOL OF MADRID

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MERCADO DE SAN MIGUEL

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MERCADO DE SAN MIGUEL

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MUSEUM OF PORK IN CENTRAL MADRID

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ONE OF THE FEW TAVERN IN CENTRAL MADRID

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MADRID STREET SCENE ON A MONDAY NIGHT