When the opportunity to travel to Madrid, Spain comes to you, you just jump on it, and I did. 3 full days in Madrid, and I’ll have lots of free time to enjoy the place… it’s almost like a small vacation!
As always, the flight to Europe leaves in the evening from JFK/NY. I booked British Airways flight, which is a two legs flight itinerary connecting at Heathrow, London. The connection process (even when I had to go to another terminal) went very smoothly, and I even had some time to check e-mails using WiFi in waiting area. Concentrating on the work was good idea. I wouldn’t be able to afford GBP3 = $6 cup of small coffee anyway. (and, no refills!)
After arrived to Madrid airport, which is by the way a very clean airport, went through the passport control, picked up a luggage, and took a taxi to the hotel. It was Sunday afternoon, and people were on the street of unseasonably warm day. I couldn’t wait to check in the hotel, and go out to the town.
The hotel was near Cuzco metro station. The ticket was 2 euro each, and easy to get to just about anywhere by connecting 1 or 2 lines. I went to Plaza de Espana and just walked and walked the Gran Via and other streets from there. The dinner started at 9pm, which was early for the local standard, I was told. The seafood restaurant near the hotel had everything I liked. I can see why Japanese like Spain. We both like rice and seafood. I had barnacles called “percebe” for the first time, and liked it very much. I also liked those big round green olives.
The next day, I spent about an hour at Sofia Museum. It was on my Madrid to-do list. The last time I was there, I was very much moved by Picasso’s Guernica, and I was looking forward to see it again. From there, I took metro to Sol, and walked around for a while to Plaza Mayor and beyond. When it started to rain, I sat at a small cafe and had a cup of hot milk and cocoa. The dinner started at 10pm at one of the most famous restaurants in Madrid. They told me that their King ate there at lunch time!! The meal, both seafood and meat, were very delicious. I had ribs and a soup with this certain fish’s cheek meat. However, the place was very comfortable, and everyone there was enjoying the conversation with friends/family over great food and wine. It’s good for King to eat there, but they don’t kick you out for not in the evening dress.
I had a full day on Tuesday to enjoy Madrid. First, the plan was to do a day trip to Toledo, but it was raining hard, so instead went to Prado museum and Thyssen museum. Prado is a great museum, but I was more impressed by Museo de Arte Thyssen, which is a private collection museum. I definitely recommend everyone who go to Madrid to visit Thyssen museum. That night, hotel recommended a seafood restaurant near the hotel. It was another excellent meal, and food definitely became the highlight of this Madrid trip. Who know the seafood was so good in Madrid.
Oh, I did try the churros and hot chocolate at one of the cafes on the guide book. Loved the chocolate, and I was full with churros for hours.
On the last day, I remembered that I hadn’t had a chance to mail out a post card to myself. I asked the hotel concierge where I could purchase a postcard and a postage. He told me to check the post office near the hotel, so I went. The post office was inside the business building and I had to go through the metal detector. Inside the post office, I asked a man if they have a post card and a postage for US, and I got, “…..” He didn’t speak in English at all. Another man came to see what was going on, but he didn’t understand what I wanted, either. By then, I was surrounded by 5-6 men, all trying to help, but had no idea what I wanted. I said, “Can anyone speak in English?” loudly, and another man came out to the rescue. He told the first guy that I needed a stamp to mail a postcard to US. He also told me that they didn’t sell a postcard. Well, at least I now had a stamp. One step closer. From there, I walked around the hotel for about 10 blocks, checking to see if any of the stores had a postcard, but no luck. I ended up buying a postcard at the airport, but didn’t find a mail box, and brought it back with me. I actually enjoyed this “adventure”, and I’m sure that I would remember it along with the great museums, seafood, churros and chocolate whenever I hear “Madrid”.
