Madrid!

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MADRID!!

I have never been a city girl.

Raised from 10 years old in Lake Tahoe, California, USA, and I've always loved the mountains; fresh air; plenty of 'elbow room'.

Other than San Francisco and Seattle, which are 'tame' cities to me... New York City is really the only big-city introduction I've had and it was with Kathy P and her gal pals and we had the time of our lives! But getting drug around (shown around, I mean) and having to navigate a new city by yourself (not to mention the language barrier) are two different things all together! Yeehaw!!

Don't even know how to begin the story of Madrd; or even how much ya'll wanna know. I will probably add to this before I post it and try to get some pictures in; but suffice it to say right now; we are having a blast!!

We have alternated bus tours with self tours of the city ~ a good combination so far. April 11 we took a full day bus tour south to Toledo ~ on of the most ancient cities; if not the oldest; and the original capital of Spain.

We also toured Segovia and Avila which are two small mid-evil towns; Segovia having an amazing expanse of Roman aqueduct towering above the city.

Architecture and history are overkill! Wow... I cannot believe the amount of detail and carving and granite block lifting that ONE castle or cathedral entails, let alone all the churches and synagogues and mosques and chapels and plain old houses..... (BTW, I found out WiFi does not go through blocks of solid granite) ....

Today, April 18, is the 11th day of our 33 day trip; so we're 1/3 way through! I have not had an opportunity to blog until now because we were just go-go-going the whole time and the wifi was very spotty in Madrid, non-existent in Seville and here, in little 'ole Jerez... it rocks! LOL!! But we are a little 'walked out' today and partied-out, too. Spain really knows how to party for Holy Week! We loved the little kids in their matching outfits; the little girls dress and the boys short/suspender combos were of the same material. Cute!

But, hay! I'm getting totally ahead of myself... I think I'm still back in Madrid. What a fascinating city! Our hotel; Hotel Plaza Mayor, was steps away from the city-center of the Plaza Mayor where, in times long past, the bull fights were held; along with every important gathering in the city: inquisitions, be-headings, weddings, betrothals, hanging, etc, etc. Still a very vibrant square surrounded on all sides by a 4 or 5 story building, the square is the central meeting place of the locals on a daily basis.

Tiny bar/restaurants line the square and set out their umbrella-shaded tables daily; entice you over with tapas and robust laughter from happy guests; and you promenade around looking at what is on the plates of the patrons at each eatery, deciding what your palate yearns for that day.

I'll have to download the pictures of Plaza Mayor...for now...here are a couple of pics for ya!

Stay tuned!

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