Backpacking (Western) Europe

Travel time: April 2004  |  by Christina E.

Spain: Madrid

April 18, 2004, Day 13:

Back in Madrid, we discovered it to be a delightful and colorful city. After checking into a hostal across from the Atocha Renfe, we decided to head there to look up some departure times into France the following day.

We stumbled into Sonia-- whom happened to be living out here in Madrid interning with a graphic design company-- just as we were about to return to the hostal. We agreed to meet up later that evening for a night out on the town.

Plaza Mayor

Plaza Mayor

Atocha Renfe (L-R): Sonia, Christina, Jene

Atocha Renfe (L-R): Sonia, Christina, Jene

After showering, surfing the internet, and eating a really nasty buffet, we went to meet Sonia at The Bear, located right in Plaza del Sol. Afterwards, she took us on a tapas crawl where we ate/drank cervezas until 1am, and headed back into the subway before its last run of the night.

Meeting by The Bear

Meeting by The Bear

In the subway station: Jene & I; and, in the opposite direction: Sonia

In the subway station: Jene & I; and, in the opposite direction: Sonia

After a night of watching home videos of people getting 'bull-gored', we awoke the next day and found ourselves at the Reina Sofia museum. There, we saw Picasso's Guernica-- btw so much larger than we both anticipated it to be in real life-- abstract paintings, and twisted bronze sculptures by Pablo Gargallo.

Post Office...love the contrast of the building to the gray skies

Post Office...love the contrast of the building to the gray skies

If I could describe Madrid with just a picture, this one would say it all

If I could describe Madrid with just a picture, this one would say it all

We went to a 'Real Jardin Botanica' (yes, a real, not a fake jardin), laid out in the sun for a bit, and enjoyed the multicolored flores.

The Jardin in bloom

The Jardin in bloom

I am unusually pale (for myself) here

I am unusually pale (for myself) here

Taking time to 'smell the roses'

Taking time to 'smell the roses'

The Ham Museum

The Ham Museum

© Christina E., 2007
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The trip
 
Description:
A quick summary of our adventures abroad in 2004...
Details:
Start of journey: Apr 05, 2004
Duration: 4 weeks
End of journey: Apr 30, 2004
Travelled countries: Italy
France
Spain
Switzerland
The Author
 
Christina E. is an active author on break-fresh-ground. since 17 years.
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