MADRID

4th stop - MADRID
for more pictures go to:
www.flickr.com/photos/trishastrove

We stayed in the central part of town, so that getting around to all the art & historical places, various museums, and other sights were just a stroll away.

A very enjoyable part of our trip to Madrid was of course visiting art museums, especially for my husband, his favourite being the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia (The Reina Sofia Museum), with its wonderful contemporary art collection, as seen in the pixs below. This Museum has been beautifully remodelled from an 18th century hospital (in 1992) with 2 panoramic glass lifts standing out in the facade (last photo).

Being the capital and biggest city of Spain, Madrid has a rich and interesting history, and is often called 'the city of festivals' and 'the city of exhibitions'.

Everyday I just had to have my fix of coffee and 'churros' at our favourite cafe just across the road from our hotel (the curly stuff in the food montage below which tastes like our local yew char kueh). No donuts eventho Dunkin' Donuts was just next door .... we were in Spain :-D !

And then there's also the "Museo del Jamon" (Museum of Ham), which is not actually a "museum" but a place where you see Jamón (cured ham) hanging from the ceilings, on the walls or in the glass counters, along with varieties of cheese, and was quite a sight to behold; visual impact!

When we walked in, we didn't know what it was, but it was huge, a-buzz with people standing at the bar counter sampling different hams, or having an open-face ham sandwich with beer. Its comfort food for them, and a way of life.

We caught a Flamenco show as well, but nothing beat leisurely walking around neighbourhoods off the tourist belt, stopping at cafes to sample local fare and the search for good paella! It was cold .... fluctuating between 8 - 18 deg., but did that keep us away from the gelato ?? of couse not :)))))))