Saturday, July 14, 2007

Hola!

Well, my time in Madrid and London was wonderful. Getting there and back was challenging - especially for my suitcase. But despite my missing suitcase (eventually found), I managed to enjoy most every moment of my time there.

Madrid is a beautiful city! In some ways it really reminded me of Paris, so I've taken to calling it the "Poor Man's Paris". Madrid has amazing architecture, impressive boulevards, lots of parks and fountains, world-class art museums, and great food. My first full day there we took the metro and walked a ways to see the Museo Prado which houses lots of religious icon-type pieces, including many by El Greco. I'm not really into that type of art, but I appreciated the opportunity to see it. We then walked to a little sidewalk cafe where we enjoyed a cold beer and a tapas plate of cheese, pate, and pear. Muy bien! Our afternoon included a walk to the Plaza Mayor, Royal Plaza, and the cathedral. By this time my feet were killing me and I was so wishing I had my suitcase and could put on a pair of my flip flops.

After a siesta, we asked the concierge to make a recommendation for dinner. He directed us a a nearby plaza where we had our choice of about six outdoor cafes all serving raciones, which are similar to tapas but larger servings. We tried their stuffed tortilla, calimare, and a dish that sort of looked like fried Oreos, but was actually made from rice and pigs' blood. I know it sounds gross, but it wasn't. We also enjoyed the sangria there. It was warm out, and even thought it was after eleven o'clock, the plaza was packed with locals enjoying the summer night.

The next day, we made it over to the Puerta del Sol which is a great shopping and dining district. We also returned to the area by the Royal Palace for lunch at a sidewalk cafe we had seen the day before. The thing that appealed to us the most about that cafe was the misters in their umbrellas. On a hot day in Madrid, it feels so good to catch a little mist in the face whilst you sip rose and enjoy tapas. We then made our way to the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia where we saw many works by Picasso and Dali. Once again, not my thing, but Michael really enjoyed the art there.

That night the concierge recommended another place for dinner. He described it as home-style Spanish food. It was delicious! We both had roasted asparagus (something I make at home, and my sweetie just loves it), and grilled salmon with potatoes.

The following morning, Michael tried to track down my bag and I went shopping because I was sick of wearing the same thing everyday! It's hard for a girl to be without her bag, let me tell you. We had no luck finding my bag until we were back at the airport in Madrid. There he was able find it in one of the airlines' lost and found. When we met up again several hours later in London, I was thrilled to see him with my bag!


We arrived in London late in the evening. The hotel was on the Thames River across from Big Ben, Parliament, and Westminster Abbey. We ran out to take some pictures and find a place for dinner. Nothing in our neighborhood was open, so we took a taxi to Piccadilly Circus where we found a little Chinatown and had some soup and a tofu dish for dinner. It wasn't the best Chinese food I've ever had...

Our last day together only allowed us a half-day for sightseeing as Michael had to go to work in the late afternoon. So, we took some more photos of the local sites before heading over to Buckingham Palace, where it just so happened that we were able to witness the changing of the guard. Very cool! Lots of pomp and circumstance, you know. Then we took a rather long walk over to Harrod's. The thing I enjoyed the most about Harrod's was the food court downstairs. What an amazing place! Such gaudy displays of every imaginable type of gourmet food. And there were many places to eat down there - sushi bar, oyster bar, pizza par, etc. We took a break and enjoyed tea and pastries.

Now I mentioned that my sweetie had to go to work, right? Well, that night he was working at the Tower of London! During the summer, a promoter puts up a large concert stage in the former moat of the Tower of London. After the sound check, we were given a private tour of the Tower. It was fascinating! So much history there.

The next morning, my sweetie escorted me to the airport for my flight home. I made it home, and so did my bag! He's still out on the road enjoying the sights in more fantastic cities when he isn't working. Lucky dog! I had such a wonderful time in both cities, and I really hope to go back and see more of Spain one day when I have more time.

If you would like to see some of my pictures in a slide show, you can use this link. Click on the "i" on the first photo to see captions.

25 Comments:

  • At 11:46 AM, Blogger Elise said…

    Glad to hear you were able to make it and you had a wonderful time...now it is time to get ready for Hawaii you lucky dog you:)

     
  • At 2:46 PM, Blogger Katherine said…

    It's sounds like the perfect quick trip! (And it makes me eager to travel back to Spain.)

     
  • At 2:47 PM, Blogger Lisa and Tate said…

    Welcome back!!! What a nightmare not to have your bag!!! Never been to Spain, but would like to one of these days (soonI hope). Love everything London and the Tower of London.... unbelievable! Have a great time in your next destination... HAWAII!!!

    You live the life you jetsetter!!!

    Lisa

     
  • At 3:21 PM, Blogger Gracencameronsmomy said…

    Sounds like a great trip! I would love to go to Europe someday...

     
  • At 4:13 PM, Blogger wzgirl said…

    Private tour of the Tower of London! At night! Was it kinda scary? I was intrigued and creeped out when I was there.

    Great time, you. What a lucky break that you got to go - wish that your suitcase was as lucky! Get any good shopping done??

     
  • At 4:37 PM, Blogger Sugar Cookies And Hope said…

    Sounds breathtaking! Glad you enjoyed yourself and some time with your sweetie. :)
    I'm heading over to look at the pictures!

     
  • At 6:39 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    I must've missed a post somewhere because I was thinking you weren't able to go. So glad you were able to enjoy a wonderful time!

     
  • At 7:29 PM, Blogger Abby's Mom said…

    Amazing pictures! Very cool. Glad you had a good time :) Sorry about your bag!

     
  • At 7:48 PM, Blogger Special K said…

    I'd love to go to Europe someday. Beautiful pics. Thanks for sharing.

     
  • At 8:47 PM, Blogger Shandra said…

    Glad you made it home safe and sounds and you had a wonderful trip. What a good sweetie you have,

     
  • At 9:34 PM, Blogger Mariah said…

    What a great trip!! Thanks for sharing you pictures! Glad you made it back safe and sound!

     
  • At 7:26 AM, Blogger Terri | Sugar Free Glow said…

    Love the pictures! Sounds like a great trip! How exciting to perform at the Tower of London--wow!

     
  • At 9:02 AM, Blogger Paulette said…

    Haaa the old country love the pictures so glad you had a great time and got to learn how to travel light. Lets chat soon I'm on my way to LA at the end of the month lets do lunch.

     
  • At 9:41 AM, Blogger C's Mom said…

    What a fabulous trip...despite the luggage issues.

    I can't believe your back already. it seemed to happen so fast!

    Welcome home :0)

     
  • At 1:52 PM, Blogger Jacquie said…

    Fabulous pictures, thanks for sharing.

     
  • At 1:55 PM, Blogger kitchu said…

    Welcome home, I'm so glad to hear you had such a wonderful time... and you know I loved those photos. A sucker for them you might say!

     
  • At 5:58 AM, Blogger Elizabeth said…

    Woah! That sounds amazing. Good food, good company, awesome location... great memories.

     
  • At 11:21 AM, Blogger 4D said…

    Welcome home! Sounds like a wonderful trip. Your attitude about the lost luggage is to be admired. The pics are beautiful.

    Keep smilin!

     
  • At 4:19 PM, Blogger Shannon said…

    Great pictures of a whirlwind trip! Those sidewalk cafe's are so cute. Oh to be there now! The Tower is an amazing place-I went five times when I lived there. But a personal tour-wow!! Don't know how you made it without a bag! You are a trouper!

     
  • At 5:21 PM, Blogger Tamara said…

    Thank you for the wonderful decription. It's amazing how different cultures can be. I'm so glad you finally got your bag back.

     
  • At 10:20 PM, Blogger Shelley said…

    What an amazing trip. I'm glad you got to go after all.

    Thanks for sharing Joannah. Now I know where I want Rich to take me. :)

    Welcome home - to you and your luggage.

    Shell

     
  • At 7:42 AM, Blogger Stephanie said…

    Welcome home! That trip sounds just incredible! Your pictures are beautiful... it looks like the weather was great!

     
  • At 1:47 PM, Blogger redmaryjanes said…

    How incredible and romantic! I am so happy for you. What a wonderful life.

     
  • At 6:08 PM, Blogger Glinda said…

    You photos are spectacular, especially the one with the fountain.

    So glad you travelled to and from safely and see sights of which most of us can only dream.

     
  • At 9:22 PM, Blogger OziMum said…

    WOW! sounds amazing!

     

Post a Comment

<< Home