Madrid was lovely, it reminded me of Ottawa. It is peaceful, not over populated and there are a lot of commuters into the city from the suburbs, which are not too far off. The first day I got there, I didn't see much because I was so tired. It was also surprisingly difficult to meet people in the hostel. Meeting people is usually something that just comes with the territory of hostels because everyone there is in the same situation. In my dorm of fourteen people, only one girl was interested in saying more than hello! Her name was Catrine and she was from Denmark, heading to Salamanca to study for her Master's in history. She noticed the same antisocial behaviour of the other residents and we decided to go to the common room to see if the trend carried throughout the hostel. It did. We shared a table with about three guys because tables were scarce, but chairs weren't. I directed a question at one of them, who
seemed not to hear me. I left it at that, and Catrine laughed. No one had any interest in talking to us! No matter, the next day I checked out a bunch of sights. I started at Plaza Mayor.
From there, I ventured to the Park Palacio Real.
Beside the park is the Palacio Real.
Across the street from Palacio Real is another, smaller park filled with memorial statues.
Immediately beside Palacio Real is the Church of Almudena.
I walked along Paseo del Prado and other major streets and saw more pretty sights and political buildings.
I wasn't expecting to see one of these, especially in Europe!
Along Paseo del Prado are the botanical gardens. I didn't go in, but I caught a glimpse here and there.
After that, I headed to the train station to head back to Barcelona. Atocha train station is kinda neat, in that they have a rain forest inside!
I liked Madrid. I don't think I got to see very much in it, but I enjoyed what I saw.
From there, I ventured to the Park Palacio Real.
Beside the park is the Palacio Real.
Across the street from Palacio Real is another, smaller park filled with memorial statues.
Immediately beside Palacio Real is the Church of Almudena.
I walked along Paseo del Prado and other major streets and saw more pretty sights and political buildings.
I wasn't expecting to see one of these, especially in Europe!
Along Paseo del Prado are the botanical gardens. I didn't go in, but I caught a glimpse here and there.
After that, I headed to the train station to head back to Barcelona. Atocha train station is kinda neat, in that they have a rain forest inside! 
I liked Madrid. I don't think I got to see very much in it, but I enjoyed what I saw.
2 comments:
Hey Travelling Daughter! You sure are having one heck of an experience! Your pictures are beautiful and very exquisite. You have done a tremendous job on your blog and have many addicted readers of it.... Cindy, Diane, Kathy, Lynn, Jim, Hannah, Sonia, abuelos, tia and even Tessa! Alison is checking it out daily and I think it is bringing back great memories for her and Brian. Very glad that you saw the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican... a co-worker told me that if you are to see anything at all in Rome, it certainly would be those places. The pictures of Madrid are also beautiful and the Palacio Real, not to mention the rain forest in the train station. We can't wait to see you this weekend and enjoy a Spanish Thanksgiving with you and have our own private tour guide in Barcelona! Thanks for all the emails, and the skype chats- keep them coming and keep enjoying yourself! Te amo muchísimo, cuídate, y estoy muy orgullosa de tí como siempre! Besos y abrazos -See ya Saturday morning! Love, Mamá.
PS - Glen will be forwarding your itinerary today/tomorrow the latest for Adrian. Ciao bella!
Hey, sweetheart! Madrid sure does look beautiful, especially Park Palacio Real. And that altar at the Church of Almudena, don't even get me started! The architecture there is truly breath-taking. While it never has been on my list of places to see in Europe, it is now a place that I would definitely consider venturing to! Your posts are excellent! Keep 'em coming!
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
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