As my usual style I hit the ground running, jet lag didn't stop me at all! My first good look at Spain from the airplane had me fascinated! It truly is the land of the old Western movies. I did do some research and many of the old west movies were made here. I thought of New Mexico and West Texas when I looked over the landscape but I'm getting off track so back to beautiful Madrid. After a quick stop at the hotel to drop off my luggage my friend and I jumped on the metro to head to the city center for sight seeing.The best, and most old-fashioned way to see the city is by foot and after sitting on the plane for 7 hours I needed the walk.
My first stop was The Royal Palace and to say it was impressive would be an understatement. The massive, bright-white Royal Palace (Palacio Real) on the Plaza de Oriente in Madrid dates from 1734, when the 3,000-roomed royal residence was commissioned by Philip V. It was last called 'home' by the royal family in 1931 - the present king, Juan Carlos, lives in the more subdued Zarzuela Palace outside Madrid. Most of the rooms are now open to the public, and others are used for state business. Tours are run regularly, lasting about two hours, taking visitors to the reception room, apartments, armoury and the royal pharmacy. The grandiose state apartments are filled with art treasures, antiques and opulent Rococo decor that could even rival Versailles. This is what they say as I have never been to Versailles I must take their word on subject and can only say it's "Stunning".
Plaza Mayor Madrid's famous central arcaded square dates from 1619 and was built by Philip III, whose statue still stands in the centre of the cobbled expanse. In medieval times the Plaza de Arrabal, as it was then known, was the venue for numerous public spectacles, ranging from knights' tournaments and festivals to the burning of heretics at the stake. Today it remains a public gathering place, but the majority of people who congregate in the sidewalk cafes to sip sangria on summer nights are tourists, enjoying impromptu music performances and watching the passing parade. At Christmas time this place is filled with street vendors hocking their wares and enjoying the smell of chestnuts roasting over an open flame. I purchased some from a street vendor and they were warm and delicious. While you are strolling through you can enjoy watching the entertainment as that is as varied as the city itself. Mimes, musicians,and comedic acts all line the plaza.
The Times Square of Spain, Puerta del Sol is the official centre of Madrid and a must see, where visitors can take in such famous landmarks as the El Oso y El Madroño, a 20-ton statue of a bear eating fruits off a Madrono tree and a large equestrian statue of King Carlos III. I will freely confess that I liked the lighted sign of "Metropolis" and joked as I looked around for the man of steel. OK bad joke but still if you enjoy Superman then maybe getting your picture under the sign would be fun for you.
My good friend Pipar wanted to make sure I visited the museums for her. OK truthfully I about got museum-ed (not sure if that's a word) out on our trip to Italy! I must say I "KNOW" I saw all the museums in that country! I did take a stroll down "The Paseo del Arte (Art Walk)" it links the three art museums that make up Madrid's famous "Golden Triangle", namely Prado, Reina Sofía and Thyssen-Bornomisza, where the works of such Spanish masters as Picasso can be viewed. I will freely confess I did not enter one single museum. I did however take pictures for her and felt obliged to include this in my blog even though I'm still a little "burned out" it is one of the cities top attractions.
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