Madrid and Toledo

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One hour flight from Barcelona to Madrid

Great subway system. Easy to get around.

Christmas eve; most restaurants closed.

We finally found a lively tapas bar

serving hearty Spanish food – oxtail

We even went back another day.



We attended a Russian ballet on Christmas day.

We thought we asked for low price seats (bajo)

Instead we got nearly-front row low seats ($$)

A pedal-bike parade after.



Old town Madrid is crowded and dirty

People seem less friendly here.

Two days would be plenty

to see Retiro Park; royal palace

with armory museum - guns,

armor for men, boys, and horses;

and amazing museums:

Prado and Reina Sofia.

La Guernica by Picasso -

one of the most powerful paintings ever!



Enough religious paintings in Spain

to educate all the illiterate Middle-age people

- and even some of us today

Salvation to those who funded church projects

Mostly with money from New World plundering.



A day trip to Toledo,

(high speed train there and back)

the fortified historical capital of Spain

A beautiful cathedral with bell tower views,

and many steep winding narrow streets.

Everything was uphill - both directions!

Easy to get lost, but just as easy to find your way out.

A local damasquinado directed us to his backstreet workshop,

displaying art with inlaid silver/gold threads into black steel.

Tour of El Greco's possible (?) home.



Late lunch with the locals in a small café.

Walk back to the neo-moorish train station.

Train to Madrid.

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Photos

Plaza Mayor
Christmas cubes lighting the night

Toledo
Historical entrance to the city.

Toledo Cathedral
I hope it's not almost noon.

Christmas in Madrid
Biking and skating at night.

Madrid Cathedral
Geometrically painted ceilings.

Madrid Cathedral
Incredible stained glass.