Adios Espana

Last day in Spain. It has been a wonderful trip. Ready to be back in the good ole U.S. of A. We have much to accomplish in the next four weeks. Shoot two weddings, find a place to live in Fayetteville, locate movers, and close on our house not to mention actually move. Crazy!!!

I think I have figured out the hot chocolate in Spain which is so delicious! We shall see when I try to reproduce back home. The hot chocolate and churros have been a real treat.

Today, we visited the inside of the Royal Palace. Quite spectacular. They only let you take pictures in one area and monitor the camera use closely. The armory area was really interesting and they have a huge collection of body armor for men (that are about the same size as adult women today), horses and even children. The main section of the palace was cool. Let me tell you, I could throw a fabulous party in this dining room.

Then we hit the Madrid flea market. What a huge every Sunday event. If you need or want something you are sure to find it there. Again incredibly crowded.

Mark's parents had recommended that we eat in the documented oldest restaurant in the world. Continuously operating since 1725. Such an interesting place and it did not disappoint. Their speciality is roasted suckling pig. Very good and interesting to see where and how it is roasted. Someone told us this is the original oven.

Then back to the Prado Meausem. Large collection of 1600, 1700 and 1800 works of European artists. What was interesting to learn is that some artists had a protege complete much of the work and they would come in and paint the face or some detail. Once you learn this it is pretty easy to pick out which ones were done completely by the artist and those that were not. I learned that I am not a fan of Goya. And the carvings out of marble and alabaster were very impressive. I gotta give a shout out to Crystal Bridges in Northwest Arkanas. It is the newest American art museum in the US and very impressive. Go visit it! It is much closer than the Prado.

Thanks to all that have followed us through this blog and our Camino adventure. Your comments and encouragement has really been appreciated!!!

On to the next adventure!!!

 

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Madrid - Day 1: Muchas Personas!

I posted on Facebook that is is kind of a culture shock to be in Madrid. Huge amounts of traffic, crowds and crowds of people, rude waiters (they don't work for tips) and pricey food but on the plus side lots of beauty. I like the quiet of rural Spain better and hiking the Camino but glad we didn't miss the sights of Madrid.

This is the Temple De Debod - it is an ancient Egyptian temple dismantled and moved to Madrid. Not sure why it was moved but it is really cool. I think it was going to be under water after the Aswan Dam was constructed but I could have dreamed that.

The Madrid Palace- it doesn't house royalty anymore. Used mostly for ceremonial activities. Our hotel is literally across the street from it.

The Cathedral La Almudenda sits next to the palace.

We roamed around the Botanical Gardens but to be honest the free Reitro park was much better. Large park that every person in Madrid must have decided to visit today because it was such a beautiful day. We decided to have a picnic in the park because it was such a nice day. All the plaza's and parks remind me of New Orleans just full of street performers for adults and children.

Visited plaza mayor. Just a huge gathering place. Saw it before it was packed with people and after for a cold beverage break.

Trevor Huxham had told us to visit city hall and take the elevator to the observation deck. Great tip and all I could say was wow. Madrid is huge.

Siesta time in the rural areas was such an inconvenience because we often had to wait til 5 for a bar or store to open again but today we decided a nap was a fine idea. And it felt so good.

Carolos III was the king of Spain in 1759-1788. He was either well loved or thought highly of himself because just about every plaza, park, round about or arch has him as the statue.

Someone told us to visit the Prado museum when it was free so we arrived to see a line at least a half of a mile long. So we will gladly pay and visit it tomorrow. So on the agenda on our last day in Spain: Prado, have reservations at Botin (the oldest restaurant in the world), tour the palace and visit the Madrid flea market which I hear is an experience.

 

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Pilgrims Mass and Pictures of Santiago

We were not on a religious pilgrimage but heck, if you get the opportunity to attend a mass specifically for pilgrims and get blessed for your journey... Why not? The mass was conducted entirely in Spanish. The nuns sing and conduct most of the mass with a priest serving communion and providing a message. The pipe organ was particularly beautiful.

The pipe organ is covered with cherubs.

There is a tradition to hug or press your forehead against the replica of Saint James one of the apostles to gather his wisdom. When in Rome....

There is controversy over if this is the actual burial site of St.James but I went down to check it out.

This is a giant incense burner called a botafumeiro. It takes about ten men to swing it the length of the cathedral. Only used today for special masses such as Easter but originally was a routine part of every pilgrims mass to cover the sweaty and foul smell of the pilgrims.

We roamed around Santiago today. Here are some random pictures of the old town area and a park that we visited.

We had a special treat to meet up for drinks with Trevor Huxham. Trevor has a blog site called a Texan in Spain. He has walked the Camino and was kind enough to respond to email questions that I had. Trevor mentioned that he lived in Santiago and we were pleased that we could get together. Trevor is an elementary English teaching assistant. He has been here for three years but will be returning toTexas at the end of the school year.

I just have to post about beer and wine in Spain. First it is cheap and each and every bar provides you with a free tapa to go with your drink. This was 4 euro total (about five dollars US). We have had everything from olives, mussels to cheese and meats. We just keep saying we would be looking at 25 bucks in the US before the expected tip which btw is not expected in Europe.

We found this really non tourist area today. The cheese shop, wine shops and spice store was to die for.The smells were really incredibly awesome.

Walking back to the hotel (we only walked 6.5 miles today -smile!) we saw this group of Boy Scouts coming in to Santiago.

On to Madrid on a pretty long train ride tomorrow. Can't exactly remember why we didn't fly but it is an adventure.

 

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