must-visit places

Now I will present topographic points :) which might not be on the toplists, yet I describe them as 'must visit places' - for their originality and originality :) 

Atocha - indoor park in the station building. Lovely natural surrounding makes the impression as if you were in a botanic garden - a short trip just before getting on the train ;) You can find a pond with the numbers of tortoises. Great attraction for kinds! So guys ... let's go, let's go! :) 

Now the biggest Spanish flag located on Plaza de Colón. (metro Colón, Serrano - brown line,4) The flag - really nice, however, it does not impress in summer :) there is no wind! So it looks like a ... "flat" flag ;)

Next to the Plaza there is The National Library: Bibioteca National de España - in 2011 it celebrated its 300-year-old existance. There is a museum too. ( I haven't been yet:)

As you can see, it was in autumn... eh.. .falling leaves, cool gust of wind... yes, visit this place in autumn! or winter :) you will see 'working' flag :)

And one more... have you ever seen Yetti? In Madrid you can! Just go for a 'shopping-mall crawl' during winter time and you are likely to find one ;) Decorations are gorgeous!

OK, I was lucky to meet Mr. Yetti, just because this year the decoration-code was ruled by The Pinguins. So I don't guarantee you will encounter it next year... but for sure another 'winter box-office icon'.

¡Viva Madrid shopping centres! 

street musicians

metro Buskers - metro street musicians
in Madrid - but ¡claaaro!, can be in any other big city ;)

During your trip, way to/ from work, school by metro - take advantage of them - people who embellish your "day by day". 

They really have talents and play a good piece of music so I would advise you to plug off your headphones! or it's enough you turn the volume down from your MP3/MP4/IPod/Iphone etc. (I don't know more "music holders")

I´ve noticed: commuing / travelling everyday the same way make you have your favourite musician... the guitarist, the violinist, the pianist, the flute - player or an indian 'unknown instrument' player ;) 

my short story:

I was going the same way every day, so I got accustomed to them, I had already my favourite guitarist and his piece of music which made me feel better in the morning sleepy walk to train platfrom and sleepy afternoon walk to metro line (6!) :)

One day, in the afternoon...on my way home (don't have to add that... yes I will add: tiredness goes to the very top on the scale, even more than in the evening after the whole day) yyyh on my way home ... yes, and I saw HE was not there!!! empty place!!! ... what?... where..? why..? who... will play now??? .........

and you start thinking of a person whose presence added something to your daily routine and you appreciate HIM when   h e 's   g o n e...

BUT ...

it was even the same day, later on when I recharged my bateries and went by metro to other place (shopping centre, some Plaza or something quite far away - in other way I don't use metro;) I changed the line, walked - in a rush from one plaftorm to another, went up on escalator, turned right ... and suddenly HE! "my guitarist"!!! an eldery India-origin musician... is playing! a song I know very well - yet cannot identify it by names ;)

and a smile appears on your face...and in your mind there's 1st thought:

 "here you are! good to see you", and rapidly 2nd: "Thank you,

 I can listen to you". 

Corrida - bullfighting

Spanish cultural heritage: Las Ventas - One of the most important places in Madrid (and in Spain) is Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas. It's the venue where the best-known Spanish traditional event takes place, namely: Corrida! (bull fights- that's right;) 

The building is amazing... and its sense of history - enormous. In order to get to know the both of these better, you should see its interior :) It's not enough to see it outside. 

The tours are always with a guide. Getting inside without a "wisdomman" is just senseless, as you could only stare at the walls in silence. What's the point? :) (what's why it's impossible;)

It's not a museum to walk around and admire it, you do need to lean the history of Corrida. To describe it with the adjective 'interesting' is too little. I would use Spanish superlative form: super interesante! :) 

Have the sample of tourguide info:

• the building represents the influence of Arabic architecture, with its typical arches and beautiful ceramic ornaments. 
• the first Corrida was inagurated in 1931 and it takes place till now: season March - September, in May - every day. 
• in the building there is a hospital - where the best doctors in Spain take care of wounded bullfighters (this place is out-of tour route)

and many many interesting facts, stories..You will get to know:

• In how many countries is this spectacle still popular and where it is already banned.
• What happens with dead bulls...
• When was the last fatal accident...
• Who and when played their concert here... - the place acts aslo as a concert venue and tennis court. 

interior: 

Seating places are divided into sections, in the sun and in the shade. Guess which is more expensive?! :) 

(clue: Corrida lasts max 2 hours and it's in spring-summer time)

Do you want to know where do the king and the queen sit? The king in the royal box (no kidding!;) or sometimes just in the first rows - he likes sitting closer :) The queen? - she doesn't watch corridas.

And where do Real Madrid footballers sit? next to the bulls' cage :) (kidding!) They have their own 'Real box' :) 

The arena - (in Spanish arena means 'sand') has a diameter of 60 meters and it is said that the middle of arena - is the centre of Spain. (I was there!) 

At the end you can become a matador or torero/-a (female suffix) - a bullfighter and try to lift the red cape- it's really heavy! Why is it so? Just against the wind.

and now: ATTENTION PLEASE!

¡the breaking news! 

the bulls are colourblind! 

so...

W h y   is   the cape red??

I will not tell you :) go there and get to know :)

I cannot tell you everything :)

(those who are interested and currently do not stay in Madrid can ask me on private :)

Leaving the place "take the bull by the horns" :))) 

TIPS 

Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas

metro: linea 2 (red), station: Las Ventas

opening time: 10 -14, tour every 30 min.

entrance: 7 Euros

The guide talks both in English and Spanish

Costa Blanca - Valencia

Costa Blanca - Valencia - amazing city with unspoiled golden palm beaches and crystal blue waters :)  - even if you come here in January, as I did :)

In addition, wonderful architecture and delicious couisine and local drinks :) 

lovely colourful tenement houses

Valencia - bird's - eye view (see the sea! :))

 This time it's not the view from the plane, helicopter or parachute :) Just the picture of the 

picture :)

magical place... Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias ( The city of Arts and Science)

IMAX -3D cinema, planetarium and laserium

and the bridge:

crystal bue sky... the beach... the palms..

the sand... silk sand 

and the port of Valencia in the sun bright...

all these ..breathtaking

***It was in January (24 degrees)***

T I P S

Trip:

bus Madrid- Valencia: station: Méndes Álvaro, company: alsa

tickets: depending on the purchase day, you can buy for 42 Euros (both ways)

plane: ryanair :)

YOU NEED TO KNOW: 

Local specialities:

Paella Valenciana - simmered rice dish with seafood or meat - yummy!

Tapas - can be too ;)

Horchata - traditional milk drink, like a shake

The place to dink: surprise surprise!: Horchatería :)

Agua de Valencia - agua - water.  Hmm almost the same ;) one detail: it's more alcohol drink!!!  lovely taste ;)  any place to drink. 1 big jar 15-20 Euros, small - it's not worth taking small one :) 

Las Fallas - local festival held in March. It's one of the most famous Fiestas en España :) 

Tres Reyes - Three Wise Men

Tres Reyes - Three Kings, Biblical Magi - 6th January - is a very important feast in Spain. Unlike in Poland (and most of the "Christmas celebrating" countries) there are Three Wise Men who bring the presents! NOT SANTA CLAUS! (quite reasonable, as the tradition says: they brought the gifts to Jesus) 

Gifts... this is the reason why Spanish children long for THIS day more than for Christmas ;D True, they can find small presents under the Christmas tree on 25th December, however, they need to wait a few days more to get more generous, ideal 'regalo'. And where do they find it? In a shoe or next to it ;) why?

Traditionally, the night before family members put their shoes near the window (this is the way Tres Reyes get into the house :), which is also quite reasonable, since not all flats! have got chimneys/fireplaces! :) - windows - I would say ALL :) Moreover, next to the shoes, they leave some biscuits, 3 glasses and 1 bottle of liquid - I mean a drink of any kind: water, milk, nesquick, cola cao etc. :) So that paretns can choose what they want to drink that night :) ( all of these beverages they drink here a lot, indeed!)

So, how does Spain celebrate it? Spectacularly :) 

That's why I had to came back from Poland to see it with my own eyes ;) 

Being lucky to live in Madrid I could witness the biggest CABALGATA in Spain. CABA... what? :)

Cabalgata - Desfile de Tres Reyes - a huge festive parade taken place a night before, in the evening of 5th January, with numerous decorated platforms, floating confetti, people dressed up as fairytale characters throwing the candies to the "audience" and all these closed with three "cheries on the cake" :) - the characters of Three Wise Men.

The view really worth seeing... not only the event in itself but  also the atmosphere; the whole families rushing to see the magical parade... the children trying to catch the falling sweets (in the bags ;)... fathers holding their kids on the backs, explaining the tradition of the event...   really cute scenes ;) for example like this:

;)

One daddy asked his little son:

- "Do you know what are the names of Tree Wise Men?"

- "yyy Balthazar... and Balthazar...and...yyyy Balthazar " :D 

;)

(After this, Pablito learnt the names, again :) 

Roscón de Reyes - "traditional Three Kings dessert" - a  sweet roll made of yeast-cake with creamy filling inside, and it is decorated with sugary ornaments ;) 

Roscón is typical snack for Tres Reyes,  nevertheless, you will hear a lot about it around Christmas time. Since the Spanish do not have "typical typical" Christmas dishes, roscón and turrón (see below) are quintessential food products of the Holy time :)

  

a crown!?

You see well :)

I haven't told yet! ;) 

All the roscóns have two small surprises inside. The one is a tiny figure of a king and the other is a stone - like a plum stone.

The custom is like this: a person who finds a figure - will be lucky during the whole year and if one comes across a tough piece - it means he or she  p a y s  for the roscón next year! 

Funny trick, isn't it? ;)

(In Poland, in some families, we put the coin of 1 zloty in a Christmas Eve dumpling. Let's put a stone in another one -with the message: you make dumplings next year! :) 

Turrón - it's a sweet, a confection, kind of halva of multiple tastes, filled with toasted almonds and nuts... mmm yummy! 

There are two types of Spanish turrón, hard and soft. The last one is for those who do not want to " strain" their teeth anymore :) (here 'to strain' can mean 'to lose ':)

  * pictures taken from the google graphs 

(I feel guilty I did not take pictures of it, and I desperately wanted to show it to YOU!)

Segovia

Segovia - a small city north of Madrid, definnitely worth visiting during the few- day stay in the capital. The Old Town of Segovia and its famous Aqueduct are declared World Herritage by UNESCO (1985).The city is situated among rocky mountains, which offers picturesque views over the surrounding areas. 

There are 3 most important places to see, so that 1 day (or even half of it - 4 hours) is enough to "explore" Segovia.  

• Aqueduct
• Cathedral
• Alcazar 

The view over the city - from the Alcazar of Segovia -  the royal palace on the rock! 

old churches hidden among local houses..

Aqueduct of Segovia - spectacular Roman building - constructed at the beginning of 2nd century -  is the most important  roman civil engineering work in Spain. 

length - 818 m

number of bows : over 170

height: 29 m

e x t r a:  it consists of 25,000 granite blocks without any mortar! 

you can climb here!

 moreover, you can sit here and admire the Aqueduct as long as you like.. even draw it.. ;)

Now the Segovia Cathedral... (do not read: new;) - the last Gothic cathedral in Spain, known as "The Lady of Cathedrals"

Alcazar of Segovia - the towers like a fairytale castle... (I as a Princess ? :)

again the view over the city from the top of the Alcazar towers

 my advice: stay there till the evening!!!

Travel tips:
Station: Chamartin
Regional tren: 
time: 1:45h
price: 12,20 Euro (both ways)

Christmas city decorations

If you have the chance to come to Madrid during Christmas time, New Year's Eve? do it! =) if you don't: do it anyway! =) 

Decorations are alsolutely wonderful, breathtaking, stunning, gorgeous and what's more impresive =)

The whole streets covered with gleaming, colourful lightings of various shapes; stars, snowflakes, Christmas trees, baubles etc.

The view that reminds you those American Christmas movies... and you can see it with your own eyes! 

I guess Madrid is the most 'Christmas decorated' capital in Europe!!!

Calle de Goya



Calle de Velazques




Calle de Serrano



so..

Advice for those who:

- live in Madrid - but don't visit other 'barrios' apart from yourown and the very Centre - Sol -> head Salamanca, Goya Street, Serrano (Plaza de Colon)

- do the practice in another place in Spain  - I know you think to go home for Xmas, maybe you come back for New Year's Eve? - visit MADRID later anayway!!! maybe around 6th January - The Tree Wise Men. It is another spectacular feast in Spain.

- are out of Spain now - next time if you plan to travel a bit during these "holy days" :) to spend Christmas in a slightly different way or to take part in a huge Fiesta on New Year's Eve  - keep in mind Spanish capital!!!

or if you manage - visit me this winter !!!

*I go to Poland for Christmas... yeah our Polish Christmas... really special traditions... and  pasta with poppyseed!!! ( They don't know poppyseed here! ) 

but I am back here on New Year's Eve :D

so

Merry Christmas to everyone!

Feliz Navidad!

Wesołych Świąt!