K has posted some fabulous shots of our travels around Madrid already. Since I charged my camera battery and then left it in London, I will have to resort to a bit of a dialogue to let you know how our trip to Madrid is progressing.

Madrid has several things to love…it is largely pedestrianized in the centre of town. On streets that are not full of ‘zona pedestrians’ they are still small and use cobbled pavings to show a mutual respect of car and people.

There are also numerous parks and squares perfect for relaxing and admiring all the fabulous architecture that the city has to offer. We spent our first afternoon, a Sunday, wandering and enjoying El Retrio a 330 acre park in the center of town.

Choices abound for eating, drinking and shopping. You can choose from chocolate and churros, tapas and beer and sangria, or a proper restaurant; stores offering everything from shoes to gloves to fans to high street fashion can be found. I have already developed an addiction to the El Corte Anglais (think Marks & Spencer or Macys).

K and I were lucky enough to catch the Virgen de la Almudena festival on 9 November. We noticed people lining up for a parade and stood with them. Soon a series of people from all over Madrid in formal spanish dress (think mantillas, black shoes, fancy embellishments on their shoes, and flags) began to parade by. After 40 minutes or so, there was a huge float dedicated to the Virgen de la Almundena. We then followed along behind the float and became part of the parade all the way to the La Real Basílica de san Francisco el Grande.

We also tried having breakfast of chocolate and churros in San Gines- a good idea and a light lunch of boccadillos (small sandwitches) and fresh sangria at the Mercado de San Miguel. This reminded us both of Borough Market in London (with a slightly more upmarket flair).

Madrid is lucky enough to have three impressive art museums: Prado, Thyseen-Bornemizsa and the Reina Sofia; we hope to visit all three. We started with the Thyssen-Bornemizsa, which houses a German couple’s collection of art from the 14th century to the present. Part of the charm comes from the self-directed focus of the collection, though at times it does feel like someone was trying to tick boxes. Regardless, the impressionist, Dutch and Flemish collections were impressive.

We opted for a quick stop for tea and then wandered up to Chueca barrio; while this is an openly gay neighborhood, it has great shoe and clothes shopping too. We took a light lunch in a hidden spot of Madrid, Bocaito. We tried the traditional soup and small bocadillo (k’s with iberian ham and mine with a fried fish and a mild chili pepper). It was very tasty and a nice introduction to the neighborhood.

We then wandered a bit but found most shops were closed (as it was siesta time). Heading back towards our hotel, we passed the emblem of Madrid, a bear climbing a madronas tree. Supposedly the forests surrounding Madrid used to have bears but that the land was owned by the church (represented by the bear) reaching up into the tree. An agreement where what was above ground could be utilized by the people of Madrid came into being (namely the right to hunt) so the symbol was born. Today a 20 ton statue sits in the middle of Plaza del Sol (and the symbol adorns every manhold cover in the city).

Madrid has been a good experience so far. The one major detraction is the ability for people to smoke everywhere. Unlike most other European capitals, this one is filled with smoke in bars, restaurants and outside plazas. Aside from the smoke (and stench on clothes & hair), K and I are enjoying learning more about the city.