Today on the blog: Madrid!
Blake lived in Madrid for one summer while he did an internship! So Madrid was extra special because he showed me some of his favorite spots and where he lived!
We took the cheapest RyanAir flight possible, which meant it didn't arrive until 11:30pm, oh but wait! Our flight was delayed about 45 mins, per usual. Since Blake had made the metro commute from the Madrid Airport to the city center multiple times we had every good intention of taking it. BUT, with the delay we just said screw it and took a cab. The cab set us back about €30 - well worth every cent.
We arrived at our hostel just before 1 A.M. and we were exhausted. We stayed at WayHostel in the center of the city. All in all it was good for the money - they had a lot of activities and gave out free churros :). The only downside was that our specific room was located right next to reception (which is open 24 hrs) so there was a constant stream of noise coming in, but when you're really tired you can look past that! (Plus, we should really bring headphones or earplugs, that was our mistake!)
We started our day bright and early Saturday morning so we could check out a few things before doing a free walking tour! Some of what we did, we repeated on the walking tour. But we mostly walked by things we knew we wouldn't see on the tour.
We had to check out...
The Ham Museum! Because YUM! I got a ham sandwich at 9am because, well, when in Spain!
It is said that some of the finest jamón in the world comes from Spain.
I wasn't kidding around! This place means business. It was delicious.
We walked by Restaurant Botín. This restaurant was founded in 1725, and is the oldest restaurant continuously operating in the world! That is pretty amazing! We didn't actually eat there, but we walked by so that is kind of the same thing ;) not really at all but that is okay!
Next we walked to Mercado de San Miguel.
Mercado de San Miguel is an indoor market. It was quite early still so we just looked around!
I would've probably eaten all of the olives.
Fresh fish.
We stopped for a quick snack since our walking tour would go through lunch.
Ham pizza with an egg.
The walking tour started in Puerta de Sol. Which is a large public square in the center of Madrid. The name translates to "Gate of the Sun".
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| Image courtesy of spain.info |
In the square there are two statues.
The one you see above (because I suck and didn't take a picture!) is a monument of King Charles III.
Bear eating strawberries. This is a pretty famous statue in Madrid that holds a strong meaning for the people of Spain. According to one legend the bears would eat the berries off the tree and be drunk. This was because the berries would ferment somehow (probably heat) and produce enough alcohol to get the bear drunk. Which can lead some to speculate why sangria is so popular in Spain.
The Royal Theater or Teatro Real. It is an opera house.
We didn't go inside, but we hear that it is impressive!
Isabel II who ordered the construction of the theater in 1818.
The Royal Palace
Selfies in front of The Royal Palace. After our walking tour we went and explored the palace grounds a little more, but ultimately decided not to go inside. If you have more time in Madrid, I would highly recommend going in.
Almudena Cathedral from the front.
We walked down the street a bit, and then we saw it from the back.
Our guide shared with us a little information at this point. The Royal Theater, The Royal Palace, and then Almudena Cathedral are all really close to each other. The reason that the front of the theater and the front of the cathedral appear to be underwhelming is due to the fact that when they were built they couldn't take away from the beauty of The Royal Palace. But, that is why the backside of the cathedral is more extravagant - from this view you can't see any part of The Royal Palace.
We finished the tour here. Plaza Mayor.
After the walking tour finished, our guide took us for a free sangria and tapas.
Yum. Croquettes with ham.
Creepy dude trying to make money.
A different view of the Palace.
The perfectly manicured greens at the Palace.
Next, Blake took me to 100 Montaditos. Here you can get cheap beer and sangria, as well as cheap montaditos (sandwiches pictured above). Blake came here a lot when he lived in Madrid because it is so cheap...but also really good!!! If you want to read about the Montadito click here. (I found this really interesting.) There are a couple 100 Montaditos in the Florida AND one in DC, so I think we will be checking the US version out upon our return home.
We went and hung out at the hostel for a little while before heading off to a Flamenco show.
I am not an action photographer, or a photographer at all really. But some pictures of the show.
Flamenco is a type of dance that consists of singing, dancing, and a guitar. It was really cool to see.
A building at night.
Gran Vía
Gran Vía is an upscale shopping street in Madrid.
Banco de España
Puerta de Alcalá
Just next to this is Retiro Park! The most amazing park I have ever seen. This park belonged to the Spanish Monarchy until the 19th century.
Just to give you a glimpse at the size and the numerous paths!
Estanque grande del Retiro
Palacio de Cristal
Blake told me he used to come to this area of the park a lot! I would too :).
A rose garden.
Paths in the park.
Tree sculptures.
Blake used to live really close to the park, so after we finished he took me by his old apartment!
There are also some really great museums in Madrid that we just didn't have time to go see.
I loved Madrid - it was incredible. We had such an amazing time.
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