Western Europe
We're traveling around Spain, The Netherlands,
England, France & Germany for a bit, then plan to return
home on Oct 19th. As we travel and have time to update the site,
we will.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Madrid,
Spain, Aug 17-27, by Laura
We arrived in Madrid from Nairobi on the Aug 17 and were we ever
happy to be met at the airport! Our friend Jennifer was staying
in Spain for the summer and we'd planned to meet up and stay
in a flat in Madrid. Plus, Jennifer teachs Spanish and has visited
Spain often, so we were in good hands.
After the Cheeseman Safari in east Africa, we were totally wipped out and needed to do some serious resting. However, we were now in a European big city and need appropriate clothing, quickly. Luckily end-of-summer sales abounded and we we able to get some nice things at good prices and it was so much fun to shop again. But best of all we got to hang out with our friend and hear all about her life and the USA in general.
Our first couple of days consisted of waking up late, getting out of the flat at about 11am, going shopping, doing some email, short nap, then getting ready to out to dinner at 10 or 11pm. Also, Aaron tried to fit in as much writing as he could. Things happen later in Spain we quickly learned. You can't get a dinner before 9:30pm. Since its so hot (it was 38C most days) everything closes and you take a nap during the afternoon, to then prepare yourself for your late dinner and going out afterwards. That city does not sleep! I have never seen so many people out so late. We went out dancing after dinner and there was traffic and hundreds of people out as we walked home at 3:00am. Unbelievable. Wish I would have known about this in college, its a fun place for nightlife.
What about the many cultural sites, the great museums and churchs? Well, we did visit the Prado museum on our last day in town and we did do a day trip to Segovia. But mostly we visited the Museo del Jamon. Its a diner type place that Jennifer showed us and we ate there as often as we could. She also showed us her favorite tapas restaurants in the old part of town and we loved them. Eating & drinking out is an art form in Spain. You can go to a restaurant and eat a big meal, or you can hop around, staying 15min or so at a place just eating their specialty tapas (various types of appetizers or small dishes) having a drink and then walk to the next place and do the same. I was so surprised they didn't mind that their customers stayed such a short time. And everything was so affordable, it was cheaper to eat out than to cook!
Jennifer also arranged tickets to a fantastic Flamanco show, I'm ready for lessons when I get home. We fell in love with Madrid, it was far more modern and cosmopolitian than we had thought, and the Spanish culture, food and people were all so wonderful that we began planning our return trip while still there.
In Madrid:
Jennifer & Aaron, ready for a night
on the town
Laura & Aaron, wearning their new duds from Spain
Laura & Jennifer in the Plaza de Mayor at night, of course. When else do you go out in Madrid?
In Segovia:
View of the old city and catherdral
in the background
Of course we had to take a picture of a gargole at the cathedral
Jennifer & Aaron in front of the castle
Jennifer leading the way around Segovia, that's a Roman aquaduct in the background.
Here's the aquaduct close up, very cool and very large
