Madrid - Day 7

An even earlier rise and departure via cab for the Munich airport to catch a 7:30 a.m. flight to Madrid.  Pretty long lines for check-in and security, but well organized and efficient.  We even had time sit and wait for the flight.  Thank you Janie for getting there early!  The Iberia plane was an Airbus, but the seating was as tight as they come.  Two hours of cramp for me and Janie slept the entire trip.

We landed at Madrid, which is a huge airport.  Like good timing when we arrived at baggage claim our bags popped right up.  No waiting!!  We hailed a cab and had a our first real bad experience.  The cab driver got lost and Janie had to run Google Maps to get us to the hotel.  The driver gigged us as well, which we confirmed with our trip back to the Hotel from downtown Madrid 4 times as far and cheaper that evening.  Ugh!!

The Hilton is again very nice and we have a very contemporary room.  Even a bidet in the bathroom.  There was a free hotel shuttle to Mid-Town Madrid at 12:15, so after grabbing a late breakfast and getting our room settled, we ventured out for our days adventures.

On our bus were two guys that after we got off approached and asked where we dropped off. Being the navigator type I was able to successfully point out our location on the map.  The small world piece is they are from Chicago and are tax accountants from Arcelor Mittel, a steel company that supplies steel to Hanna Steel Corporation where Janie works.   Small world indeed.

Its a small world!!

Our starting point after guiding total strangers on their way!

From there we hiked along a route I mapped out and never ran out of a new site to see.  At the Prada Museum we came across a movie crew filming.

Movie Crew

As we wandered towards the train station we found a large round object like a phone booth, but it was a public restroom.  Coin operated and probably the size of a an airplane bathroom.  Did not venture in.  So when we got to the train station figured a good time to get the lay of the land in case we use later and good opportunity to grab a bathroom.  However, we found that doing your business in Madrid costs money.

Can you guess what I'm doing?

If you are getting tired of the protesters in the US, we saw another group protesting for Immigrants  and how they are being treated.  Germany and now here.  Sad part is they seem to want jobs and services as if the country can just over night absorb them.  Seems a bit selfish, since nobody in the protest looked like they suffered a day.  From what I can tell they are getting three squares.

Protesters - whats left of them and police and city crews having to clean up after them.  Glad they can be free to voice their opinion, but wish they had a real cause.

We continued to wind our way through the streets, which are much more hilly than expected.  The whole city is up and down as the country side, which reminds me of the foothills in CO.  Plateaus, hills, valleys and dry desert like conditions.  Although in the city very pretty with those Sycamores and Evergreens everywhere.  Even an olive tree!

Olive Tree close to the Train Station

After trekking across the city east to west we came across a plaza, which is surrounded on all four sides.  This is the Mayors house or building and the square is very large.  All around the outside are restaurants and shops.  More protesters, but also a couple getting married!

Group on the right are waiting for the wedding party (two women) to appear in the window.

Another really cool market place for supplies or Tappas. Crowded is an understatement.  Good thing is I'm one of the biggest guys in the whole city.  I've only come across a couple my height so far. :)

Getting pretty good at the shelfie thing!!

Vegetables, meat, cheese, wine, beer, etc!!

Great area for shops and restaurants by the Mayor Plaza

Throughout our street walks we came across violinist, opera singers, magicians, mimes, accordion harp players.

Janie toured another Basilica...have to admit I've started to bow out and rest my feet.

We made it to the Royal Palace (think Buckingham Palace) that was Huge!!!

Front gate and entrance right across from the Basilica

Other side of the Palace - several city blocks

Yup a reflection pool and massive park as well!

On our way back we came across the mounted police getting ready to start their evening tour!

Mounted Police

We stopped in front of the Theater for Tappas and Wine, then strolled back through all the back allies until we came to a major cross road to find a cab.  Passed a church and monastery and more street...wait where did all these people come from?  One street was wall to wall people and street performers.

Then we came to a main road and headed to where we could find a cab and felt like we are in NYC on New's Eve.  Wall to wall people as far as you can see coming and going.  After 10 plus city blocks we covered including going by Telefonica's HQ (one of our international carrier partners), we finally found an empty cab.

Hotel lit up and looking very cool.

Headed back to the hotel and spent the evening in the executive lounge snacking and enjoying some Vino!  Oh and catching up on the blog for the past few days.  Oh yeah we had a nice snack waiting for us in the room.

Hope you enjoy and not sure yet what tomorrow will bring!

Jeff and Janie signing off from Madrid, Spain!