Madrid the City that Never Sleeps
Gabriel Lopez"New York the greatest city on earth, the capital of the world, would have no rival. But I was wrong!"
Hola, we really enjoyed Madrid. I've posted a few pictures so that you all can see were we visited. So a little about the city of Madrid from our perspective, during the day the city seems to be asleep in a sense. The Madrileños are walking around with a daze still recovering from the night before. They kill the work day drinking coffee, hot chocolate, eating churros, and tapas during lunch.
The city takes a little getting use too. But Madrid will grow on you because when the night falls upon the city, it becomes alive. I heard from one Madrileño that Madrid doubles New York when it comes to ¨The City That Never Sleeps.¨ When I heard this, I could not accept it and I scoffed at the notion. New York the greatest city on earth, the capital of the world, would have no rival. But I was wrong!
We arrived at the Cafe de Chinitas around 10:30, when Madrid begins to awaken from it´s afternoon slumber. At Chinitas where I had visited back in 2003, actually never had missed a beat. A true Spaniard institution, same guitarist and dancers from almost ten years ago! The performance was passionate and the food was abundant. We ordered a bottle of the house wine and the paella for 31 euros, and the show was 25 euros per person. Most Madridleños just come for mostly drinks and some olives to pick at during the show.
Our last spot was a über cool lounge that was blasting Spanish Alternative music. We ordered a gin with tonic and just spoke with the friendly locals who taught us a whole bunch about modern Spanish Music. Funny side note, when the Madridleños asked us where we came from, and we replied that we were from “La Florida.” They always replied, “really... do they still speak Spanish there?” With our obvious response, “CLARO HOMBRE!”
The next day we visited El Mercado de San Miguel. An original iron and glass building from the turn of the century, and now it's been converted into a gourmet market. Here you can go to the different vendors and order all types of delicious tapas paired with either wine or beer. Hands down this was our favorite spot in Madrid.
We had a really great experience in El Prado Museum, we really enjoyed Diego Velázquez overall and fell in love with his masterpiece Les Ménines. We also liked Goya and Las Pinturas Negras.
Other highlights
-Puerta Del Sol
-Fuente de Cibeles
-Toledo day trip
-Barrio Malasana
-Plaza Mayor
Reader Comments (3)
Oh my, that paella looks amazing! Pair it with wine and music and its pure enjoyment. I am so glad you guys got to experience Spain this way. Nothing like soaking up the culture and food of a new place. Haven't had the pleasure of visiting Madrid, but it's definitely on our list.
Estuvimos en el 2001, se me parecio a lo colonial de Colombia. Alli fuimos a comer en la Casa de Carlos, y si...es de noche cuando Madrid despierta.
Venga, venga...pues senda paella que se habéis comido vosotros, y nosotros aquí sufriendo, vale! Pues por mi madre que eso así si no se vale, vale!!! Disfrutando de buen vino, jamón ibérico y hasta de sus ginebras y aguas tónicas...no hombre este si que es un tío con suerte! Nosotros aquí que no nos da ni para una jarrita de agua con limón...hostia!!! Haber si se traen aunque sea un lasquilla de jamón y un manchego...por dios! Lo lo lo lo lo lo loooooo...que viiiiivaaaa Españaaaaaa olo lo lo lo lo lo loooooo...España es la mejooooooorrr!