Weekend in Madrid

There's always things happening here, and the weekend was full of surprises. Saturday started off with a couple of museums, including the Naval Museum. So many boat pictures, as you can imagine. Lex reminded me that he has talked about making model boats in the future instead of full size ones like the 4 canoes that we now store. Good idea.

But I hope they don't turn out to be as BIG as these 'models'.

As we walked around various parts of the city, people were out and about enjoying the outdoor eateries and bars, and sometimes listening to music, like the one in this small plaza. We joined them for a while - great way to pass Saturday afternoon.

Finished the evening off in another unique bar. So much history in this place.

Sunday - day for markets, so we set off to find the Rastro Markets. On our way through Plaza Mayor, cyclists were gathering for a 'Tweed Ride'.

Rastro Markets fill streets of the old city area, literally. Sooooo much. Bigger than BA markets, with over 3500 stalls. Still no need to carry more in our backpacks we weren't looking to buy, just looking for the experience, and maybe some street performers.

Found this bottle washer for you Lac and Zac. Doesn't fit in the backpack, sorry.

 

Huge crowds soon had us heading for calmer areas.

Came across a wedding - such elaborate gowns on all the women.

Walked into another huge crowd listening to an orchestra and choir outside the Palace.

And a group who looked like they might have been performing some sort of ceremony or ritual. Reminded us of the cleansing/smoking ceremony were saw in Cusco.

Onto the Templo de Debod- yep, an Egyptian temple in a middle of Madrid. A gift apparently.

Enjoyed afternoon drinks and tapas at a bar which offers 1€ Domingo. Pints of beer and 'tinto verano' (bit like Sangria) and 100 different tapas ... All for 1€ each. Salads are a little more extravagant at 2€.

Sunday, like Saturday saw huge crowds in all the city streets. Shops were open, and people were out shopping, eating etc. On our way back home we saw one of the best street performers we've seen. Mime is very clever, and no language barrier.

Mmm - what shall we do tomorrow?

 

 

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