I really thought that I would get to the fabulous museums that are here…  In fact, I kinda got up on my high horse with my hubby as to how much I looked forward to flying solo, increasing the possibilities that I would actually be able to accomplish this!  Today was my last full day in Madrid, and alas, no museums.   Jet lag set in and it was another beautiful, sunny day, leaving me pretty lackluster about standing in spring break lines and spending time indoors.   Plus frankly, I didn’t really want to invest the money!  I will say that in my meanderings, I DID see the EXTERIOR of some and I also strolled by many popular tourist spots (and believe you me, there were a few folks lookin’ to get inside!)  Quite honestly, I’m not disappointed with my choice at all!   I even found Chinatown!

I chose to follow two walking routes that conveniently started from my Puerta del Sol hotel.  “A Walk North from Sol” took me by some of the sites I had seen yesterday, which further served to solidify my bearings.  Of course – now that I’m leaving I finally know my way around!  And, I figured out that the street names are displayed on the corner buildings as opposed to signs that one can actually see!?!   So I went through the Plaza de Espana again with statues of Don Quixote, Sancho Panza and Cervantes.  Everywhere:  statues, statues, statues!  And I don’t need to tell you that the pigeons love them very much!  And looking at the tops of buildings, statues, statues, statues! I passed the Plaza de Guardias De Corps which  used to be in service as army barracks, now a cultural center, the Museo Arqueologico, Bibiloteca National and the Museo  Municipal.   The conclusion of this route was like a little SoHo with lots of funky shops, great little bars, record stores and cool art!