Ticket Stub: AVE to Barcelona

On Wednesday i caught the AVE train from Madrid to Barcelona. Its not the cheapest way to get there but it sure is the fastest, and the most comfortable. It also only takes 3 hours instead of 8 by bus or taking a plane (which if i don't have to i don't). The metro station in Madrid was really nice with turtles as well, which was different. I had a great time in Madrid, its easy to get around and i would go back soon if there wasn't a lot of different places i still want to go. But i will miss Madrid.

Street Art: Madrid

Street art is abundant in Madrid, this morning i decided to walk around an area that i hadn't really explored and the mornings are perfect as there are only the people that are going to work that are walking around the tourist are having breakfast or are not up yet, so it the time of day i find i can see the most without the crowds.  

A Walk in the Park.

Yesterday morning I took a stroll in the Parque del Retiro. I was probably walking around for 2 hours before i strolled across a street just out of the park that was lined with little booths selling only books, mostly in spanish but there was a few in english but you really had to search to find any.
There was people of all sorts, some old men reading newspapers, lots of different characters walking their dogs, a few women roller blading, lots of people exercising, old men sunbathing in only their speedos, school children screaming Hola! to other groups of children and a group of friends playing a game where one girl was blind-folded and the others yelled out so she could here their voices and try catch them. 
There was so many different areas to see such as the rose garden, and the aroma was magnificent that i just wanted to sit and breath in deeply for a while. Then in one area there were 5 or more peacocks, and i could only spot the male peacocks, but they were beautiful. 
If you want to be relaxing out on the water there are row boats that you can rent and paddle around for a while and enjoy the music from the birds in the park that drown out the city so you feel like your miles away from the city.
It was just a perfect sunny day to be in the park.

Ticket Stub: Palacio Real De Madrid

In the courtyard of the Royal Palace

Headless Mannequins were everywhere outside the Palace

Taken from one side of the courtyard to the other

Catedral de Santa Maria la Real de la Almudena just outside the palace gates.

Front entrance to the Palace.

Unfortunately i was not able to take photos from inside the Palace but the art, tapestries and furnishings were very grand. Lots of detail in every piece. It only cost me 5 euro as i had a student card and so the 5 euro i saved i used 4 euro to rent a little device that was programed to English for me that you held like a phone to hear all about the palace and all the rooms that are on display. It was quite a handy device, literally. 
The only downfall is as the rooms are roped of and lots of people go to see the palace there can be a bit of a tight squeeze.
But it was a beautiful sunny day and was wonderful walking around and learning some history.
It learn more click here.

To Market, To Market.

This morning I went to El Rastro and it was lucky my jet-lag had me up really early that i was at the markets at 9 and the stalls were just finishing being set up so it wasn't crowded and i was able to wonder around leisurely. There was some strange things for sale, but i guess someone else's junk is someone else's treasure. I bought 2 nice souvenirs for my parents and found myself a wonderful silk dress in an antique shop down one of the side streets and the dress was way in the back of this shop and the owner moved a screen for me to go behind to try on, she was a sweet little lady. And the dress is beautiful. 
Got to enjoy some music as well. It must take a lot of care to transport and set-up the crystal glasses that the man in the picture above is playing.
After seeing all that El Rastro had to offer i happened across a little supermarket that smelt great. Pan Caliente - Hot Bread. It was the perfect end to the markets to buy some fresh bread, chorizo, cheese and lettuce and go back to the hostel and make myself a nice lunch.

Ticket Stub: Reina Sofia

Cubist Self-Portrait 

Portrait of Joella

The Memory of the Woman Child

4 hours is how long it took to get through the Reina Sofia and there may have been a room or two that we missed, but its quite a large building with a courtyard in the middle that i think softened the museum a bit, but in a good way. The artwork above is all by Salvador Dali, whose work i admire. 
If your a lover of art then this is the place for you.

New Friends

So my first 2 days in Madrid have been a pleasure all thanks to the women in the 2 photos above, her name is Olivia and she is from New York. She was sharing the bunk bed with me in HostelOne Centro in Madrid. 
Olivia had arrived the day earlier and meet a nice guy from Australia called Enis. So the photo at the top is from the first Tapas bar that myself or Olivia had been to in Spain (dont ask me what it was called i didn't take notice) and with our drinks ordered free tapas was placed on our table for us to enjoy.
The other photo was taken in the courtyard of the Reina Sofia after spending 3 and a half hours admiring all the artwork.
It has been great meeting them and i'll be catching up with Olivia in Barcelona which will be great. I love meeting new friends on the road.

Day One, Madrid

Puerta Del Sol taken from inside the Vodafone shop.

Looking down the street from my hostel dorm room.

looking in the other direction from my dorm room.

There was always music playing around Puerta Del Sol

Pistachio ice cream. Had to have some.

So I know I'm a bit late on the posts for Madrid but these are the first photo's i took. There are a lot more to come, but its been busy and by the time I stop I just want to crash. Which i want to do right now.

Madrid is daunting, as I haven't done something as crazy as move to a country that doesn't have English as its first language. But I like what i have seen so far. People are openly affectionate and they dress very well. The sun doesn't go down till 9:30 so it's easy to loose track of time at night, and the food and sangria is delicious. So Buenas Noches and i'll post more tomorrow.