In
October 2000, I decided to explore the Spanish culture. As you know, this often starts off with a
travel agent. She suggested Madrid to
quench my wanderlust.
A DELTA
flight took me to Atlanta and then another to Madrid. I landed at the airport bleary-eyed after
overnight plane travel. I was then taken
to the hotel where I promptly fell asleep.
I woke up
in the afternoon to take a half-day bus tour of the city. This convinced me that Madrid is
splendid. It is an amazing matrix of old
and new architecture, buildings that are 500 years old and buildings that have
been well maintained. The promenades are
wide and the landscape along them is spectacularly dotted with fountains,
sculptures and horticulture.
Fortunately, each day was sunny, 75 degrees and picture perfect. Mornings and evenings got cold enough to need
a jacket.
This is a
city that never sleeps. Bustling with
tourists and Spanish zest for life, midnight feels like midday. One is overwhelmed by so much to do and see.
The next
day, I decided to walk along Gran Via to Del Prado, their world-famous
museum. Unfortunately, the paintings and
other items bear captions only in Spanish, no English is provided. I hired an English speaking guide and
proceeded to learn a little about the 16th century Spanish painters
such as Jose de Ribera, Diego Valazquez de Silva, Francisco de Goya etc.
After
spending the morning at Del Prado, I walked to Puerto Del Sol (Gateway to the
Sun). This is the most famous city
square where many celebrated streets of Madrid meet. Tourists are seen bustling around its modern
cafes, pastry shops, shoe stores, book stores, newsstands and of course,
souvenir shops.
Then I
walked along such beautiful roads such as Calle de Alcala, Calle de la princesa
and others whose names escape me now. I
saw a marvelous achievement of architecture, city planning, preservation of
history and spirit of human existence. I
also visited a bull fight, which left a bad taste in my mouth. By the way, they told me that eat the bull
after it is killed.
For the
uninitiated, Spanish food is almost completely meat based, so beware. While getting cash (1 dollar = 180 pesetos)
from ATM’s was no problem, language was a barrier. I spent two days walking on the city streets
and kept filling with awe at the amazing variety of sculpture and
architecture. It seemed like no two
buildings were alike. At night, the
fountains would light up and deck the city like a jewel-laden bride.
I took a
day tour to Escorial to see an old monastry.
Here the powerful form of Santa Cruz, the Holy Cross, about 300 feet
tall, overwhelms your senses once again.
In the afternoon, I visited Toledo, the capital of Spain until King
Philip made Madrid the capital in 1560.
Tagus river encircles the granitic rock on which Toledo stands. I was very impressed by the history and
architecture of this old city, that is so well preserved.
On the
last night, I took in a show of Flamengo dancing. By this time I was sleep deprived but
exhilarated from the richness of experience.
I came back to the Queen City, with fond memories and appreciation of a
completely different people. Therein
lies, I hope, the essence of life!
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