Return To The Sun – well sorta…

Today is my first full day back in Spain, and it is gloriously sunny!! (And of course I left my sunglasses at home…) I am in Madrid connecting with mi hijo y su pareja (my son and his Significant Other).  W & K have been in Spain since January 7, the last almost three weeks in Madrid and have generally had chilly weather. It is being said that this is the wettest March in Madrid on record.  The forecast is looking pretty good while I’m here though!

Of course it was a long travel day, and having my first flight out of San Francisco (3/25) delayed two hours didn’t help. My goal to prevent jet lag was to stay up the entire time which is definitely a challenge. I did succeed however, and by the time I put my head on the pillow (3/26) I’d been up thirty-two hours!  And, W was sweet to come over and get the keys for my easy check into the Airbnb I’ll be staying at for five nights.

On my first full day, Thursday, 3/27, we actually headed north in a rental car to Segovia, land of the castle (alcazar/fortress/royal palace) that inspired Walt Disney for the company’s logo and their own castle in the “Happiest place on earth”!  It was a long process requiring patience to get the rental car and we didn’t really get on the road until 1:00.  Yet we still had plenty of time to walk through the historical center by the Inglesia de San Andrés, the Catedral and to be awed by the eleven mile Aqueduct, marvel at the amazing task it must’ve been to build, to see that Spectacular castle and to enjoy the scenic countryside views surrounding it! And we enjoyed a great lunch at Mesón Don Jimeno of some local favorites.

We went a little different route on the way home and ended up going through a mountain pass with considerable snow on either side of the road, even passing by a ski resort (Puerto de Navacerrada Estación de Esqui)!  Another long yet wonderful day!  So Great to be with My Boy – and, 5.7 miles walking on the day!!

Sleeping in until 9:00 on Friday, 3/28 was Bueno, since I stayed up until 1:00 am (was it the 4 café con leches or “jet lag”)??  I had a ten minute, beautiful walk to the Royal Palace where I met W & K for an English speaking tour.  What GRAND OPULENCE!!!  It’s hard to even imagine how people could live in such grandeur! The frescoes on the ceiling, the huge tapestries, chandeliers beyond imagination, statues, amazing, commissioned, large paintings, the Ming vases, silver serving ware and China plates, tile, wallpaper-it’s mind-boggling!!  The current rulers do not live there, however many important meetings are held within, sometimes dinners of dignitaries and often concerts which are available to the public.

It was an amazingly warm and sunny day!  We had some sangria and agua on a plaza near the palace, and then made our way to the lively San Miguel Mercado for tapas of salmon and cod, bao buns and tasty desserts!  We also had “Flores de queso”(Manchego cheese flowers)!! We were all tired and called it a day fairly early, yet still 7.9 walking miles recorded.  Plus a lovely sunset!!!  

Saturday, March 29, dawned sunny, and glorious again!!  It was a blue sky all day while we accomplished our “Metro Crawl” – designed by W.  The itinerary started with a meet up at Alma Nomad Fabrica.  W & K had been to their more “warehouse” version and loved it – likening it to a San Francisco favorite, “Tartine” (and wouldn’t you know they had some Tartine books in their slew of pastry cookbooks!) I arrived ten minutes early and it was a good thing, because the line was thirty people long!! Goodness Gracious, the pastries were fabulous- and we had some quiche, too!

We hopped on the metro train again and got off at the Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas bullring.  Originally built in 1874 in a different location, the replacement ring was completed in 1929 and has some beautiful Moorish embellishments incorporated into its construction.  

Madrid’s El Rastro neighborhood was next, via metro, where we popped into the Mercado de la Cebada – two stories of public market offerings – and then settled in for some vino, olives, and the standard gratis accompaniment of potato chips.  It was sunny, wonderful and so, so enjoyable!!  And many, many people out and about!! The metro was packed every time we got on board!! A Sunny Saturday in Madrid being enjoyed, for sure!!

Next stop, via Metro, the University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria.  We tabulated a lot of mileage on this segment, walking by Moncloa’s Lighthouse (built in 1992, a 92 m former transmission tower with an observation deck) popping into the Museo de America, onto some lovely pathways through a forest of mature pine trees and through multiple parks connected to each other which seems like endless opportunities for recreation!!  Parque el Oeste went on Forever and included an INCREDIBLE rose garden!  Too bad they were not in bloom!  From the Principe Pio Mountain Viewpoint we could see the Temple of Debod and also back to the Royal Palace.  So many people out enjoying their Saturday and the wonderful weather!! 

We continued walking and actually got back to the Plaza de España where my Airbnb is!! I can’t believe we walked that far!! We stopped into LArtisan Madrid which ended up being a very pricey for small portions, yet the tacos and salmon nigiri that we ordered were tremendously delicious!  Just under 12 miles walked this day!!!

Another sunny day, Sunday, March 30th was crazy busy with people!!  Lots of tour groups, youth sports teams, joggers, school children, families pushing strollers and walking dogs!!  I am flying tomorrow to Málaga and W and K are checking out of their place, renting a car and driving to Valencia. So they decided to take a lay low day and get themselves organized.  I did wander aimlessly for a few hours, starting off with the only aim I did have, a visit to the Catedral.  The  morning light through stained glass windows was stunning and the colorful and intricate Moorish designs on the ceilings and arches, was unlike any cathedral I’ve seen before!  I walked over to Puerto del Sol and just marveled at the hundreds – perhaps thousands of people that were out! Crazy busy!  I enjoyed a sidewalk early dinner of hummus- smokey paprika seasoned sweet potato, traditional chick pea and a savory beet!  The thinly sliced baguette and delicious salad made me happy!  I still can’t believe I’m in Spain again – I am loving it!!!