Madrid walking excursion

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Walking tour...my feet ache!

Day 1 walking has been good...

I took a longer nap than I anticipated, then decided to take a walk. Since I knew I would get sweaty anyway I just wore my plane clothing.

Hostal Valencia is awesome! It is right in the heart of things. I basically made a circle around the central part of the city. If you get a map, you can see it.

I am on Gran Via, and from the map I am the Callao metro station. If you see Gran Via, go left. I walked down there to the Palacio Real (royal palace).

I then went to the Basilica (largest in Spain), walked through La latina (a cute little barrio, but at times i felt like i was in a mini china town), then I stumbled upon the Atocha train station, so I checked that out and got my bearings there. Then I walked by the Prado Museum to check out prices, I believe it is free for the regular exhibits, which is all i really want to see anyway. I pretty much felt my way through the city, thank goodness God gave me a good sense of direction. Worst case I would grab the metro and get to my station, so I wasnt worried as long as a metro was near by.

Then I had to actually get my bearings with my map (that you can get free at the metro station) and realized I was almost to Gran Via, so i walked back. My feet are killing me, but I feel much better about getting around now.

Getting around in central Madrid is super easy, because there are large maps every so often, and big signs telling you where things are. The street signs themselves are harder to find because they are plaques on the walls instead of street signs.

It was a good day. I am trying my hardest to stay awake to avoid serious jet lag. May go grab a sandwich down at the coffee shop next door, but the 5 flights of stairs to walk says i shouldnt. (ps there is a starbucks a block away...really, i can´t escape. I will avoid it, unless i really want my iced quad venti raspberry soy latte...mmmm....)

Tomorrow I am off for Toledo. It should be an adventure. A 1 hour train ride out of Madrid, lots of walking, and an hour back... fun stuff!

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Photos

callao
metro station I came out of -- right in front of my hotel

the bathroom
is as small as it appears

the bed
actually quite comfortable

first meal
bocadillo (sandwich) with Spanish Tortilla (made with potatos...really good) mayo and green peppers. It actually tasted great

Fountain
This is a neat fountain near my hostal.

SDC11369
Harry potter is opening July 15 here too...guess what I am going to do!

Don Quixote statue
Don Quixote statue

Palacio Real
We can go on tours, will do that when I return

Cathedral
Cathedral right next to Palacio Real

SDC11375
He actually played very well, he played air on G

palace
palace

Atocha train station
Atocha train station

Royal Basilica
Royal Basilica

Comments

[Jessica Anuswith]

Who can say?
They saw Harry Potter in Spain? LOL. Yes. I am stilllll using that argument.

[Mama]

NICE!
The pictures are beautiful. And the pink bedroom with ruffle cracks me up. I knew that you would be in your element there. How are the croc sandals doing? Maybe I should go to the shoe place and find out about hiking shoes???

[mpchegrl]

haha. yeah. but, it is way noisy...it didnt help that i had serious jet lag. :(

[Lacy Krell]

Starbucks
Toooooo funny about the Starbucks. Even if they have the "old" raspberry, you still have to come home!

[Colleen]

yay
hey leah,ur doing so great. i knew u would though. everything is frikin beautiful,you should have taken me with you haha.

[mpchegrl]

hey, you should come join me now! little lucas would be great! :)

[mpchegrl]

i dunno....all i need now is a chick-fil-et and i may stay!

[Patti J.]

Que maravilloso!
Espero que usted tiene un fantástico vacaciones. Las fotografías son hermosas! No podemos esperar a escuchar a todos acerca de su viaje!