Spain - Day 2 - Madrid

Hmmmm --- apparently we were really tired.  I cannot imagine why.  At any rate, it's after 10 by the time we are totally awake and ready to get up.  Let's get this party started --- out of the apartment by 11:30 and since it is still morning to us, Mister heads directly into the park where he spotted a cafe last night.  It is open and provides coffee and muffins to jump start the body. Notice the coffee cup??  We have these same ones at home.  How fun.

It is a beautiful Sunday morning and families are out and about enjoying the space walking, cycling, laughing, and just generally loving life.

We are not a hundred per cent sure just where we are going today, but starting back up the road we originally walked down sounds like a plan.  With each passing block there is less and less traffic until one intersection is entirely closed off.  Finding a spot along the rail (yep that's me in the white sweater), we join the other onlookers waiting for something.  Just what, we are not sure; Mister thinks it might be a run or something.  He's pretty accurate as shortly after, bikes start arriving amidst applause all around.

Continuing down the street, I am taken with these two older women, arms linked, out for a Sunday stroll.  My heart just melts.

A little further down, we notice an unusual rooftop amidst all the regular ones.  What do you suppose the story here is?  I wish I knew.

At the end of the street stands Puerta de Toledo.  Yep, that's a link.  I had to look it all up as well.  It sure is beautiful and I love the history behind it.  Or is that under it?  Around?

In a nearby park, there are statues all around but this one catches my eye due to the multitude of birds that are hanging out.  It is sad that I am already used to the statues everywhere and I am not being stopped in my tracks by each one.  So, so many that one could spend days in each area of the city simply on a statue walk.

With a metro stop located, decisions have to be made.  Do we keep wandering?  I had really wanted to go to the Royal Palace but sleeping in probably has ruled that out.  Can we at least go check?  Aha -- a plan.

It's a no go --- the line lasts forever!!  However, we are in the right place at the right time as the bells start chiming.

My notes indicate that both the Chapel of San Antonio de la Florida and the Temple de Debod are nearby.  It's not a long walk and a new area of the city thus we are now pointed north, passing the Royal Palace Gardens.

Beyond the Gardens, we locate the path and stairs that lead to a park overlooking the city.  This is where Temple de Debod is and I've read that this is the only place in Europe that one can actually wander through an intact, original Egyptian temple.  We spot the entrance right away but as we walk up we discover that it is closed.  Man, my day is not off to a great start.

At least the park has great views of the city.  I am captivated by the look back at the cathedral and palace.

I think I could stand here all day.  Honest.  The idea of watching the city lights come on from up here is appealing to me, but it is still dang early in the day.  There is a train station nearby and we want to see if we can get our tickets to Barcelona for tomorrow. Off we go to discover quite the flight of stairs.  At least they are going down this time.

Nearby, another of the four puertas is discovered and this time it is Puerta de San Vincente.

Once again, we strike out.  This particular train station does not sell tickets for the high-speed trains.  Okie dokie -- onward we go.  It's a cool station though and that counts for something.

Grabbing an metro, it's off to the area of the city that holds the correct train station.  We are above ground once again in Madrid's Museum Neighborhood.  Yep, we were here yesterday for a bit and now are back again.  Retiro Park is right at the stop and on our list of places to see.  Are you ready?

It is BEAUTIFUL!  Families are out and about everywhere -- including in row boats on the lake.  There are buskers in abundance and we are happy to help those who are attempting to earn some money.

The living statues don't really do much for me, but watching this young man have a stare down with one was quite entertaining.

As we continue on our way, a little girl goes up to this statue as well.  She pokes and prods at him and finally her mother drops a coin in the box so that he will move.  As soon as he does, that little one is petrified and racing for mom.

Near one of the exits, the path opens up into a plaza and I cannot believe how incredibly manicured it is.  Check out the trees.

Out the gate we go and across the street is the Prado Biblioteca.

As we pass behind it, another statue catches my eye.

Approaching the Prado, we discover San Geronimo el Real, a lovely Roman Catholic Church.

I can't resist the attempt to peek in and the signs are a bit misleading.  It asks not to enter during mass and lists the times.  We are not near one of the times so in I go.

However, there is a mass in progress, resulting in a quick departure for us.  It does look wonderful inside though.

Now, onto the Prado.

Photography is not allowed inside, so you'll just have to believe me when I say, it is absolutely amazing.  We see Raphael's Portrait of a Cardinal, Hieronymus Bosch's The Garden of Earthly Delights, Velazquez's The Maids of Honor, Rueben's The Three Graces, and El Greco's Christ Carrying the Cross among oh so many others.  I learned where the term Ruebenesque came from and understand it now - hahahaha.

Back outside, we are now heading directly to the train station and pass the Royal Botanical Gardens along the way.  I have to snap a quick picture through the fence as it reminds me of our trips to the Arboretum lately --- tulips, tulips, tulips.

And there it is.  The train station.  Woohoo.  Now for two tickets to Barcelona.  Everything goes perfectly and for the wonderful price of $20.00, we are on our way again with tickets in hand.

Inside the train station are all these turtles.  I have never seen so many in one place at any time in my life.  Mister leaves me to enjoy them for a bit while he finds some water for us.  The interior of this station is a greenhouse.  It's crazy cool

Back to the metro -- we are zipping back to Puerta del Sol in the hopes of dinner.  For some reason food hasn't come into play much today and we are both starving.  Back above ground, there is a protest taking place.  It seems as though each vacation brings us smack dab in the middle of one of these, no matter where we go.  It's a funny protest though as it almost seems to have a festive atmosphere.  I'm not sure I understand.

Now, where were we?  Oh that's right --- looking for food.  Mister has said he wants to try some Jamon (ham) as it is quite wonderful here - at least that is what we have been told.  I spot the perfect place to fill his need.

The Museum of Ham has to do it, right?  The place is packed but right as we enter, two spots at the bar open up.  My feet are killing me, but stand it is.  Bring it on --- ham, chips, and sangria.  It's a perfect appetizer.

The price is so reasonable and the place has a great mix of people.  Locals and tourists alike. 

I have to tell you -- no joking at all -- this is the best ham ever.  Wow.  It's just perfect and real.  No water injected stuff around here.  They literally slice it off the legs and it shows in the taste.  This spot is not only a bar/restaurant, but also a meat market.  You can purchase as much as you need to take home with you.  Perfect.

The most entertaining part of all this is the way they pour multiple beers at once.  Check out this stacking technique.  Impressive. 

With our appetites temporarily satisfied, we decide to return to Plaza Mayor and that incredible paella we spotted yesterday.  It's not a long walk and we'll work off some of the ham.

An outdoor table is available in the plaza.  Yes!  The same waiter that we spotted yesterday is working and we soon have a pitcher of sangria and an entire pan of seafood paella.  Dig in.

A slight mistake in service takes place and our waiter offers a digestif as compensation.  Yum.  This has been a great time.  Watching everything in the plaza, visiting about our day, planning tomorrow -- just a perfect evening.

On the way back to the room, Mister spots a Chocolateria and wants churros for dessert.  Well, okay.  I'm game.

Yum.  The chocolate that we are dipping them in reminds me of a really thick hot cocoa.  It's quite delicious and the little churros disappear all too soon.  We really need to call it a night.  It's pretty late (dinner lasted over 2 1/2 hours) and we have to get up early to get to our train.  The lights of the city are on as we return back our lovely home.

Madrid has been amazing.  I want to stay here the entire trip, especially in this crazy cool apartment.  If you get the chance to go to Madrid, you need to check for it on AirBNB.  We cannot recommend it high enough.

That's it for tonight.  Sleep is calling and we are answering.  See ya tomorrow.