My Oyster

Wrapping up in Spain...

Today was our last full day together in Madrid. Jean goes home on Tuesday morning and I will follow the next day. We made sure it was a packed day.

We roamed through the Retiro park and the Reina Sofia museum (more Dalis & Picassos), and did a walking tour of one more neighborhood before a wonderful dinner with friends - at 11pm. 15 hours of touring. Not a bad way to wind down.

Before heading out for dinner, we had a cocktail in the historic bar of our hotel and reminisced about this great trip - our first (but not last) vacation in Spain.

And here are my Five Favorite Fotos from today...

 

Nature...

The rose garden in El Retiro park.

 

Beauty...

Jean checking out the Dali that I wanted to see.

 

Fun...

Three old friends...

 

Spirit...

Columbus pointing to the Americas on the 4th of July.

 

Just liked it...

Jean and some big, violent art.

And more photos here at my Flickr account.

La Latina...

Today Jean, and the Lonely Planet, took us through the narrow streets of very old Madrid. Medieval Madrid. Since it was Sunday, there was a great flea market – el Rastro. I got something for Maeve.  :-)  I am missing her and Suz a lot at this point in a long trip.

Of course there were lots of places to eat and drink along the route. So we did. The pic above is of Jean and I during a coffee, water, juice break along our walk.  We borrowed the fan.

It was great being out and about with all the people. Just a perfect Sunday - kinda similar to what we would experience at home. Beautiful weather, happy and festive friends and families out enjoying the city and life.

And here are my Five Favorite Fotos from today...

 

Nature...

 

A peacock in the park.

 

Beauty...

The grounds of the Royal Palace.  Some good curb appeal.

 

Fun...

At this rest and refreshment break we met a wild group celebrating a birthday.

 

Spirit...

The outdoor culture here, late into the evening, and in small squares across the city is fantastic.

 

Just liked it...

A serenade along the way.

And more photos here at my Flickr account.

Celebrating Pride in Madrid!

And Man, do they know how to throw a party here! It has been going on since Thursday. It takes up several squares in the city and there must be millions of people outside and having fun. All day. All night.

The pic above is of Jean and I with friends along the parade route today. Very festive.

And here are my Five Favorite Fotos from today...

 

Nature...

Paella. Our friend Jose invited us to his house for a traditional Spanish meal and a swim before the Pride Parade.

 

Beauty...

Sure, why not.

 

Fun...

>

Somehow a bed got into the middle of the street. Always fun when that happens...

 

Spirit...

Feeling the Pride with a million others. Hanging from a traffic light.

 

Just liked it...

This boy danced and clapped through the whole parade.

And more photos here at my Flickr account.

Sometimes Being a Tourist is Just Hard...

Like today.  We got in after 4am last night (this morning) but still managed to do several hours of touring today. Slow and with several stops. It was a valiant effort.

The pic above is of Jean and I at the Plaza de Oriente – just outside the Royal Palace Both were beautiful. The Palace was amazing. You could see where all that gold from the new world went. No pics allowed, unfortunately.

Later, and I mean later (10pm), we met up for dinner with Jose – a local friend, Brian, Gerardo, and a couple from Dublin for dinner. Jose took us to a great Galician place for tapas. Yum.

And here are my Five Favorite Fotos from today...

 

Nature...

In the Plaza de Oriente.

 

Beauty...

The olives in Spain are something else. At the San Miguel Market.

 

Fun...

Jose and Brian reacting to our dessert platter.

 

Spirit...

Inside Madrid’s Cathedral.

 

Just liked it...

Brian and Jean dragging in the heat.

And more photos here at my Flickr account.