What a difference a day makes. Whereas it was pouring yesterday, the sun is brilliant this morning as I walk to the Atocha train station to catch my ride to Toledo: You can buy tickets online well ahead of time as some routes do sell out quickly, especially during high season and if you do not get a pre-assigned seat, …
Palacio Real de Madrid
The Royal Palace in Madrid goes by two names, Palacio Real de Madrid and Palacio de Oriente (East Palace). It is one of the largest palaces in the world (there are over 250 guest bedrooms!) but is unoccupied by Spain’s royal family–they stay at the Palacio de la Zarzuela in another royal compound. It’s good to be king here, too. …
A Spanish Dunkin’ Donut
Remember the  Belgian churro I had at the Christmas market in Bruges? It was more like a sweet snack. In Spain, however, the churro is a bland pastry to be dunked in your breakfast hot chocolate, like what he’s doing here…you might say it’s a Spanish dunkin’ donut. On my first full morning in Madrid I have to go find …
I’ll Be Back
By the time I reach this bronze fellow, I can see that he’s gazing out toward the Palacio Real de Madrid (Royal Palace). I’m hustling to get to the palace before sunset but am already seriously lagging behind the sun by the time I reach the huge Catedral de la Almudena that’s on my way: The church couldn’t have come …
¡Ay, Caramba!
So yesterday I left you hanging at the Buen Retiro Park. I’ll blog about it separately since it is so special it deserves its own entry. But on my first afternoon in Madrid, I’ve only got a few hours of sunlight left so I’m in a hurry to cut across the park to get to the Paseo de Prado, which …