The City Walk

Last weekend we received my parents. My mother had already enjoyed a week of Madrid in May but this time also brought along my father. He would become the sixteenth person to stay with us this year. Amazing if you think about it.

Visits are tiring, but great. Those of you who have made the journey down here will know. The other day – when we were in the train heading back to the airport – both my parents were sleeping. I turned to Carmen and asked: “Why is it that everyone who visits us is totally destroyed when they leave us?” I have to admit that I am to blame for a large amount of this. I want to do too much with the people. There is always the city walk. Most of the time – due to lack of imagination and proven success – these walks are the same. We start in Parque de Retiro – in the summer tucking into a home-made picnic (tortilla, chorizo, empanada and fruity white wine from the fields of Galicia) and in the winter playing Frisbee – and soak up the relaxing side of Madrid. A false sense of what is to come for the unknowing visitors.
Hubi playing tunes in Parque de Buen Retiro

Heading out of the park we exit at Puerta de Alcala – arguably the symbol of Madrid – where I normally explain that it took nine years to build (and then inserting a bit of extra drama I add that it only took two to build Plaza Mayor) and served as a grand entrance to the wife of Filipe III who lived in Alcala. From there it is a short walk to Cibeles proudly housing the impressive Palace of Communication. At this point I rhetorically joke that it is now used as a post office – which is only partly true – and that it will soon be used as the city hall. Meanwhile cars shoot around the roundabout leading the way to our next destination. My mum in front of the Palace of Communications

After taking a photo I usher the people through towards Gran Vía – without doubt Madrid’s most impressive avenue. Here I explain that “Gran Vía is Madrid’s own Broadway with a majority of the city’s most important buildings. At the turn of the century city planners thought a new main street was needed, defining Madrid as one of Europe’s most important cities. It was built in three stages between 1904 and 1929.” I point out that the people should look upwards to appreciate the detail these buildings show-off. I don’t do that anymore and make time by counting people simultaneously wearing socks and sandals.
Clan and Pieter on Gran Vía

Following Gran Vía sometimes I head right at Calle Fuencarral to pay a visit to the Municipal Museum – home to a large model of the city of Madrid. However – depending on the tiredness of my listeners – I often continue along Gran Vía towards Plaza España which I use as a handy tool to tell something about Spain’s Franco period as it was the Generalisimo who personally had a hand in developing this square. All of you have been on the photo with Don Quijote and Sanch Panza whilst Cervantes looks down on me seemingly saying “Mate, are you here again?” Pieter and Clan at Plaza España

Cervantes – by that time – already knows where I am going next and five minutes later I am at one of my favorite spots: Templo de Debod. This Egyptian temple never fails and lays in the peaceful Parque del Oeste offering fine views of the Palacio Real – another photo favorite amongst our guests. Maiko and Hikaru at Templo de Debod Jan-Ole with the Palace Backdrop

Now by this time the visitors are getting tired but still I push on towards the Jardines de Sabatini – also known as the Royal Gardens. I know that it is only a short way towards the Palace and then Plaza Mayor where I finish the tour with a bang. The visitors have already been walking a solid five hours – only stopping for the occasional café con leche or caña – so the bang at Plaza Mayor rarely registers.

To make things worse I often want take my tourists out on Friday and Saturday night. Friday a ‘quiet’ night in La Latina and Saturday it is dancing with the crippled güiris. For those who on Sunday can still walk we suggest the Rastro Market – eating a tosta with those ugly grey things which they say is fish – and then to head off to the Prado Museum. Sylvie at the Rastro Market Irene and Tamara enjoying Rastro's tostas

I can honestly say that I have learned from my mistakes. For example, this weekend with my parents I opted out of a half-day excursion to Segovia where I would have liked to have shown my father the Aquaduct – something Emma and Alex where lucky enough to see. Neither did we go to Toledo or the Reina Sofia Museum. Guadalajara and Casa Lope de Vega also missed out. We did however go to see a bullfight. The thing is that there are so many things to do in Madrid that I guess – well – you all just have to come back! Agnes at Madrid's Paloma Party
Ace showing off his typical Madrid souvenir
My dad applauding the Torero Emma and Alex at the Segovia Aquaduct