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Published: August 11th 2009
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Wating in Cordoba
the train station in Cordoba is impressive. Here is mom sitting watching our stuff. The joys of Madrid!
Monday Well, Mom and I got here to Madrid yesterday afternoon. We came straight to our hotel, which is the same one I started my journey on...and guess what...there
is AC. I am SO mad I didn´t figure it out the first few nights. I blame it on the jet lag. 😱
So, yesterday we took a stroll to Plaza Mayor. It was pretty neat to see, but really not a whole lot to do. There are cute little shops and it is worth walking to. I just enjoyed being in a place that I have read about in my books and tell my students about. That was worth it right there.
We then just walked around a bit. We were heading to Parque de Retiro...when for the second time in my 5 weeks here it decided to rain...and we were stuck outside. So...we waited it out with the other madrileños. Speaking of which...
Cultural tidbits of the day *Mullets are the norm....NOT the exception.
*Madrileños are a breed all their own, they are just different...not bad in any way, just different.
*If you walk into the bar, and the
The rain...
so...you can see there is sun behind us, and the darkness ahead...luckily it was going away floor is messy...STAY. that means lots of people go there and it is worth eating.
*If you see tourists, walk away...go somewhere where everyone speaks Spanish.
*Do Not eat on the main drag. If you go down a street for 5 seconds you can get a meal for half the price (Breakfast on place on Gran Via = 8 euro...down the street...4, no joke)
*Before a sunday, go to the store and get some food to eat on Sunday...NOTHING is open on sunday ANYWHERE!!! (except those super expensive tourist spots that aren´t always that good.
Now, for the rest of the story... We walked to the park, but changed our minds when we saw the storm coming. We went to a little restaurant and were bad and ate pizza...it wasn´t that great. We grabbed a dessert, headed back and went to bed...
Tuesday Well, we walked on Gran Via looking for something to eat, decided it was too expensive...turned the corner and wen to
Paraiso de Jamon (ham paradise). There was ham everywhere, but they had breakfast and locals.
We then headed to the Royal Palace. We walked around the park for free.
Plaza Espana
I may have put this up once already, but it was neat! It was nice, but not too much to see in comparison to a few other things we have seen. We then went to the palace. We decided to just pay the 8 to get an unguided tour...then rented an audio guide for 3euro. You could have an official guide, but if you are more than one in your group not worth it. The audio guide was giving more information, and you could take your time walking through the palace. The guided tour is 45 minutes...We definitely spent about 2 hours in there. It is immaculate. There are so many neat decorations...and....to top it off...
FIVE STRADERVARIUS INSTRUMENTS!!! 1 viola, 2 cellos and 2 violins! I was within 12 inches of them...they are still used, but are kept in boxes at the perfect temperature and humidity levels. The maids did have to get a mop for all the drool...sigh. It was a highlight...
We found a place to eat lunch...some random place that had a dirty floor...and good bocadillos! 😊 We enjoyed it. Then we headed to the Prado museum. From 6-8 the Prado is free...and we waited. There is a line to get in, which we didnt know
Royal Cathedral
we could see it from the patio. Just neat at first. You go through the line, get a ticket that they pass out...and walk in for free. It was easy, and we actually got to see the highlights..Velazques, Goya, El Greco...as a Spanish teacher it rocked. We might go back tomorrow. You can get most of it done in two hours...but if you like to sit and enjoy, you may want to make sure to have 2 days to walk through for free...
Then we headed back home to the hostel. It was a good day. We have NO clue what we are doing tomorrow for our last day...but it will be good. I can´t believe it is almost over!!!
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Brenda Santiago
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Fantastico!
I've enjoyed reading your blogs the past few weeks. I'm planning a trip to Spain next summer and your blog has inspired me! The pictures are always so beautiful!