It was time to say good-bye to Barcelona and get the high-speed train to Madrid. We knew that Spain was a dry country, but the journey from Barcelona to Madrid was a big surprise. Had not idea how very, very dry it is. (Photos not great because the train travelled at high speed, but worth sharing we hope.)
Every now and then, a tiny village would appear in the middle of nowhere. Amazing! Most were so small the train whizzed by before we could even get the camera up to the train window. Do people really live in these tiny, isolated villages? It's so dry there's hardly even a tree. What do they do?
After the high speed train into the centre of Madrid, we got a local train to the stop nearest our apartment. We successfully followed the directions provided by the home exchange guys.
Here's our front door! There was a lift to the 5th floor (thank god).
If you look very, very carefully, you may see me standing out on the balcony and waving to you. (You can see my head and one arm only.)
When you get to the top you enter a truly magnificent apartment. We're living in luxury!
The exchange guys (Andrés and Manolo) gave us a very warm welcome and then took us on an "orientation walk" in the local area. They introduced Daryl to a gluten-free bakery -- Daryl has been happy and eating well ever since!
They showed us our nearest metro station, Banco de España:
A huge sign on the opposite building says, "Refugees Welcome." Most Europeans have warmer hearts than Australians (or Australian politicians).
The exchange guys then caught the train to Malaga (on the south coast) to stay with a cousin. We made our way to the parade that night to celebrate the 400 year anniversary of Plaza Mayor. We took the Madrid Metro for the first time and found somewhere close to where the parade started. We were early, so we strolled over to the Palacio Real, which was the Royal Palace for Spanish kings and queens for many years.
Then we found our way to the parade. The crowds were incredible. It didn't feel unsafe in any way, but I did feel a little vulnerable! I was glad that we had Spanish SIM cards in our phones and could ring each other if we got separated. We could only walk in the direction of the crowd -- it would have been impossible to back-track or to make any decisions about where to walk!
The parade ended at Plaza Mayor (Major Plaza or Main Plaza).
This pic is borrowed from the internet to show the Plaza Mayor from a better angle.
SUNDAY 8 OCT
We went to the wonderful Sunday Flea Market, which ran the full length of Calle Embajadores, and spread out into side streets. It was HUGE -- biggest market we've ever seen. (Thankfully, we started at the top end of Embajadores Street and walked DOWN the full length of it.)
Bought some of these flamenco dresses in different sizes to give as gifts to various female members of the family. Thought they might all be proud to wear something of Spanish national significance.
We will, of course, expect them to be worn.
Lots of musicians made the market a happy place to be. It was very easy to fill in a whole morning.
This group was banging out some stirring music and singing something with great gusto. We suspect it was political but we can't understand a word of Spanish!
Then we had a long walk to Parque de el Retiro. I'm only 41 (in my head) but I forgot that my legs are 71. They managed to get me around, but after spending the afternoon walking around the huge park, they were totally giving up on me!!!
Daryl even found a gum tree! He squashed the leaves to check and they had a very strong eucalyptus smell. Daryl was so excited about finding an Aussie in the park.
Monument and statue of the Fallen Angel
Phew! It was time for an ice-cream and a sit in the shade.
Daryl loves to take selfies, which is OK by me because I'm always further from the camera!
Still in Parque de el Retiro ...
Monumento Alfonso XII
Police patrol the park at all times. I wanted one of their motorised scooter-like forms of transport!!!
We left the park at the Plaza de la Independencia corner and looked straight out on to Puerta de Alcalá (Alcalá Gate). It was the first post-Roman triumphal arch built in Europe -- it's older than the Arc de Triomphe in Paris and the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin.
Thankfully, we're staying only 10 minutes away from Puerta de Alcalá. Our legs managed to get us home!
MONDAY 9 OCT
Monday was another big day. We started with Route 1 of the Hop-On Hop-Off bus which started at 9 am and finished at 10:30 am. It gave us a good overview of a large area of Madrid. We know you'd love to see the 3000 photos we took from the top of the bus, but we've selected just a few general street scenes.
The heavy traffic made us feel quite at home!
Monument to Christopher Columbus (surrounded by ponds).
Don't blame me for this tragic photo -- Daryl takes a selfie every now and then!
We heard some very saucy stories about Queen Isabel II. Hmmm ... she led quite a life. She was married off to her cousin, who wasn't interested in women, but she had 11 children in various other ways. She was Queen of Spain from 1833 until she was exiled at the start of the revolution in 1868. Apart from her questionable private life, she was politically irresponsible and failed to respond to demands for a more progressive regime. (There are lessons for current Australian politicians who want to go backwards instead of forwards!!!)
After the first bus tour, we did a 3-hour walking tour. It was free, but people were happy to tip the excellent guide. He was a history student at the university and saving to do his Masters degree.
Moorish influence still evident. Way, way back in 711, troops of Arab or Berber descent from North Africa conquered the Iberian peninsula (which included most of modern-day Spain and Portugal).
Walking Tour Leader, Daniel Gómez. Here, he was telling us about a New Year's Eve tradition. People have 12 grapes, and for each ring of the bell at midnight, they are supposed to eat one. Of course, most people end up with a mouth full of grapes. Daryl thinks it would be much easier to drink the wine the grapes would have produced!!!
Plaza Mayor again
Which hat would you prefer?
Even though it was now 2 pm and we hadn't eaten lunch, we decided to walk to the Thyssen Museum because it's free on Mondays. Here are a few pics to prove that we do occasionally attend to our cultural education!
Monet
Rembrandt
Van Gogh
It was 4:30 pm before we stopped for lunch! But what a lunch ......
David: smoked salmon and capers, avocado, small salad, granola and yogurt, boiled egg, croissant on top of two pieces of crusty bread on top of two pieces of rye bread. All for € 16 or about $20. Wow.
Hope you're all well and happy!
Cheers from Madrid.
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