When you first arrive in the Barajas Airport in Madrid, you already know -- this city has got style and knows how to flaunt it. From the architecture, to the office furniture, to the restaurants, to the hotels -- Madrileños take pride in looking good while doing things with passion.
Unfortunately, I didn't even realize until it was too late that we were to spend our first Thanksgiving in Europe -- alone. Have been so busy with work it didn't dawn on me that I would be by myself on Thanksgiving wondering the streets of Madrid (Joe came to meet me on Friday morning). *sigh*. After missing turkey for a second -- I rallied my semi-head cold, my Canon 30D, and my tripod in search of some great night shots. If you need a good traveling tripod, I would highly recommend the
Manfrotto 718SHB Bogen. It comes with a carrying bag and is sturdy enough to hold up my 17-85mm lensed camera when it's not windy. Thanks also to my family for keeping me company for 30 minutes on my mobile (my dad's cell phone was passed from person to person as they ate Thanksgiving lunch).
When Joe arrived (*yeah*), we moved into a larger suite room @ AC Hotel Cuzco. It was pretty darn sweet (check out photos in the set above). He complained after one time they kicked him to the Holiday Inn down the street due to overbooking. They responded by granting him VIP status and a free weekend in Madrid, which then turned into Sandy's birthday gift (thanks!).
What did we love about Madrid? Being able to see art you studied in Art History class (Goya, Velasquez, Miro, Picasso), being able to practice our beginner level Spanish, and the food!
Yes -- Joe and I have been taking private Spanish lessons at work since the beginning of this year. But since our teacher left, we've been lazy and skipped out on the past couple months. We arrived in Madrid in a rather confused state. The taxi drivers don't speak English that well, so you have to muddle your way through a sentence. "Mi dinero es en el trunko (pointing to trunk of car)". So horrible. I just think it's awesome how everyone there speaks to you in Spanish assuming you understand everything they say. Hehe. If they get a sense you don't, they will ask "No entiendas?" (You don't understand?) At least, I knew what that meant.
We were lucky to be able to hang out with some locals there. The first night we scoured the city for a good restaurant that allowed smoking inside. If they didn't let you smoke, we could absolutely NOT eat there. It's pretty black or white there. The restaurant allows smoking or is non-smoking. Which makes sense to me. Even if you have a smoking/non-smoking section, the smoke still wonders through the restaurant. Duh.
The second night, Mylene's brother Jeff took us too his favorite tapas bar in Madrid called La Castela. Some gambas (shrimp), clams, hamon, foie gras on toast, and rioja. Yum! At all the tapas bars, people throw there garbage on the floor -- napkins, what is left of your shellfish and more! It's quite a freeing experience. One less thing to worry about -- just have a good time! The place comes with quirky waiters (one looks like Mr. Bean) that come quick with good service complete with a smile and a joke.
As soon as we started to discover the nooks and crannies of the city and our Spanish was getting better, we had to leave. Would definitely go back to visit again for some fine (and fun) dining. Listening to some
Paulina Rubio this week at work to keep me amped. Remember her? Also picked up some random top of the chart albums in Madrid:
David Bisbal and
Alejandro Sanz.
As always, I'll leave our recommendations below. Adios amigos!
****
// Recommended City Guide //Wallpaper* City Guide to Madrid -- Get the latest and greatest about hot restaurants, shops, art and local favorites. I'm gonna start collecting these for every city I go to.
AA Map & Guide to Madrid, Top 25 Sights -- It was perfect for a weekend trip, includes a great list of restaurants which are not touristy at all and were truly a treat to eat at.
Conde Naste Traveler -- All the poshy restaurants, shops, nightlife, etc.
// Recommended Restaurants //La Castela -- Calle Castelo 22, Metro: Ibiza or Principe de Vergara (Red Line). Local favorite tapas place which has great seafood and great service.
Casa D'a Troya -- Emiliano Barral 14, Metro:Avenida la Paz. This family run restaurant is worth leaving the center of the city for. They have fresh seafood shipped from the North of Spain everyday. We sat next to the President of Konica Madrid who dines there weekly with his family and grand kids. You must order pulpo a la Gallega (octopus) and merluza especial pincho (white fish from North of Spain).
Cafe Arola -- If you are going to visit the Reina Sofia Museum, stop by here for lunch (it's inside the extension to the museum). It's visually stunning place to see, and food is enjoyable. Make reservations!
Olsen -- Calle del Prado 15. You would think a Scandinavian restaurant in Madrid would be out of place, but this place serves up some great fish dishes. Come here if you want a break from hamon and chorizo :).
// Recommended Shopping //Custo -- For those who like something a bit different and more colorful. You may find some good girls stuff, but Joe certainly didn't think graffiti covered tshirts were his thing :).
Hoss Intropia -- Reminds me a bit of Anthropologie. Cute, cute, cute!
Cacao Sampaka -- Calle de Orellana 4, Metro: Alonso Martinez. Yummy and cute chocolate store with a great cafe in the back of the store.
El Corte Ingles -- Well stocked department store. Don't worry about not finding on of these. There are 19 locations around Madrid. I was able to find things I couldn't find in a New York Bloomingdales. Picked up a few new Top 40 Spanish albums to diversify my iPod.
Shopping Streets -- Fuen Carral, Serrano, Jose Ortega y Gasset, Hortaleza, Almirante, Piamonte, and around Puerta del Sol.
Other Spanish Brands -- Purificacion Garcia, Loewe, Camper
// Recommended Hotel //Vincci Soho -- www.vinccihoteles.com. We didn't stay here, but it was recommended to me and we happen to walk right by it. Great location in the middle of the center of the city, within walking distance of some great tapas bars and restaurants (Olsen). Very close to the Prado Museum.
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