Arrival to Spain 2008

I’m back in beautiful Spain! I arrived in Madrid this morning and had a wonderful day visiting my favorite haunts and places. Jet lag caught up to us in the early afternoon and we crashed for a few hours in the hotel and then went back out for dinner and some night time sight seeing.

One of the first places I ever visited in Spain was the Palacio Real (Royal Palace). I still have a vivid memory of that fresh winter morning as the sun was rising and I turned the corner and saw the façade glowing in the distances. Today, however, it was raining and yet the grandeur and power of the build was still there in all its glory. I passed by again after dark and took a few pictures of it all aglow. True it wasn’t the warm light of a new winter’s morning, but rather it was the cool, refreshing light of a monumental building that had just spent the day being gently cleaned by a sweet spring rain.

Another must seeing in Madrid is the Plaza Mayor. It is simple in shape and design, but the Plaza Mayor draws Spaniards and travelers a like. It is a great place to people watch, have some chocolate and churros, take some pictures and buy some local art. This picture gives you a feeling for what the Plaza Mayor is like around midnight. Notice the painting of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza for sale by one of the many Spanish artists that sell their works at the Plaza Mayor.

Speaking of Plazas and Don Quixote always makes me think of Plaza de España. In the middle of the plaza there is an enormous equestrian statue and monument of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza (oh yeah with Cervantes and Queen Isabella to boot). The book Don Quixote is one of my favorites and I greatly admire Don Quixote (the man, the character, the knight, the hero and el loco) and his sidekick Sancho Panza. When I was in Salamanca last year I found a replica of the statue in Plaza de España. It now sits in my living room/library. Here are a few pictures of the dynamic duos and the nearby fountain.