Yanky Londoner: Sunny Madrid

At the beginning of October, I headed to Madrid for my first ever trip to Spain. It was a weekend packed with sun and fun!

We (my friend Rebecca and I) started the weekend by trying to find a good breakfast to start our adventure. Of course, the first place no longer existed (thanks travel book) and the second place did not open until 2 pm (what?). Thus, we walked around looking for food. We took in the views on our walk. Here is a church in a small square.

We finally did find a place. Rebecca ordered the chorizo and this is what she received! Let's just say...way too much sausage! :o

After eating enough meat to hold us over for the next year, we headed to the Royal Palace (Palacio Real). In front of the palace, we walked through the Plaza de Oriente which is a nice garden.

And it is surrounded by beautiful buildings.

It also has a rather impressive fountain.

Even the light posts were nice!

We then visited the Royal Palace. It is inspired by Bernini's design for the Louvre in Paris and is rather beautiful. It took almost 30 years to build and was completed in 1764. Unfortunately, they would not let us take photos inside, but let's just say, even the Queen would be jealous! :) Almost every room we entered we gasped.

This is a shot of the inside courtyard.

Here is a view over the old hunting grounds.

The best thing about the Palace was the armoury. It had over 2,000 pieces and had over 20 full size horse statues suited up in joust outfits. It was impressive. But of course, you will just have to take my word for it since I have no photos!

After the Palace, we walked around some more and ate gelato. Here is the Catedral de la Almudena. In the evening, we met up with my friend Cameron who just moved to Madrid.

The next day, we visited one of the many art museums in Madrid, the Centro de Arte Reina Sofia.

The crazy thing about the place, they let you take photos of the art! I have never been to a museum that lets you do that. Here is a early drawing by Pablo Picasso.

Here is Picasso's Guernica which depicts his view of war. The canvas is enormous and there are two guards on either side of the painting.

I also saw my first Salvador Dali piece up close. Unlike many of the titles you see in art museums, - the woman in blue, bulls, seated woman, etc. - Dali called his piece...The Great Masturbator...

There was a small courtyard with sculptors. I found it rather funny that all the benches were recently painted and they had this sign. I can only assume people did not understand the sign as there were butt paint marks everywhere!