Madrid Spain
April 11, 2011
After two hours in a time machine I landed in a different world. I woke up to the sun streaming into my room at the pleasant Hostel Rober, located 50 meters from the Opera Square in Madrid. I took off on my Stereo skateboard to explore this historical concrete jungle. I fueled up at a local market, enjoying the sites and sounds of the locals. First stop was the Royal Palace and newly finished cathedral.
Construction began in 1879 and was not completed until 1993
The concentration of meat at the local market was similar to almost every menu I saw in Spain
Observing the line of tourists waiting to see the most ornate house in Madrid was far more interesting than paying to observe the cold interior of the stone structure. I wonder if in five hundred years people will pay to tour buildings on Wall Street?
Every royal building I have visited has been surrounded by an amazing display of horticulture. The stark contrast of the carefully groomed oasis, beside an enterprise focused on growing power by any means, reminded me that light and darkness co-exist in everybody.
Plaza Mayor
Exploring the city today on a walking tour exposed the great history that preceded this urbanized hub of southern European culture. Standing in Plaza Mayor where the Spanish Inquisition was held, it was unnerving to contemplate how many people were hanged and burned. Unfortunately, brutality pervades history.
‘Sobrino de Botin’
The tour passed ‘Sobrino de Botin’ the Guiness book of records certified oldest working restaurant in the world with records dating back to 1725, the Royal Palace, the Opera, and ended in a local restaurant that specialized in churros with chocolate sauce. The Spanish are definitely not known for healthy food. The guide informed me that pork is likened to a spice.
The Opera
What do I love about Spain? They have a true zest for life! Every day is celebrated and lived at a leisurely pace. I wonder how much this attitude might also be part of the reason why they have such a problem with unemployment, but no system is perfect.
Pure joy captured in this photo! There is something mesmerizing about bubbles.
The number one rule in this city: no eating or drinking while on the move. Take-away cups? In Spain you sit and enjoy your food and drink with an attitude that this moment has been earned and will be fully experienced, even if you are short on time. The meal schedule could be likened to living in New York with a watch set to L.A. time. People walk everywhere with the attitude that nothing is routine but rather a new opportunity to live a content life.
These hammocks lined the river and were well used by the locals
My day finished off with the sun setting while I cruised on my skateboard to the largest park in Madrid, Parque de Retiro. Meditating across from the Momunmento a Alfonso XIII (Monument to King Alfonso XII), I witnessed the routine activities of people in Madrid: jogging; walking; dog walking; rowing; rollerblading, and long boarding, to name a few.
This dude rocked roller skates harder in the skate park than anyone I have ever seen!
That moment reminded me how much easier it is to enjoy life when you keep it simple. I was shocked when I saw five-year-olds running around with their families at 1:00 A.M. Madrid is a huge city with a population of around 3.3 million, but is also one of the safest cities of this size in the world, mainly because there are ‘normal’ people out and about most hours of the day. What a cool vibe.
