Back to Madrid

Once we returned to Madrid we met up with Elizabeth's friend from college, Kathy, and had a wild couple of days. The three of us finally managed to find semi-traditional bar that served tapas. The drinks were huge, the food was plentiful and there were fun times all night long.

The three of us were quite the trio which only made our next adventure that much better...Pamplona for the running of the bulls!

Comida en Madrid

With the exception of the first couple photos (which were all from our vegetarian with our host family) I feel like the food in Madrid is more traditional Spanish food than what we ate in Barcelona. I enjoyed trying new dishes (despite the widespread use of ham--no thank you!) and even had some more of those delicious padron peppers. 

Oh, and I don't understand how the Spanish population isn't a gazillion pounds that simultaneously suffers from diabetes; they eat gelato like it's their job, ha!

Musica en Madrid

If you know me at all you know I live for live music and I absolutely love to dance. While in Madrid Elizabeth and I were constantly coming across free live music. Between jazz clubs, outside orchestra concerts, and random street artists we were enjoying the perks of Madrid life everywhere we turned.

 Despite an obvious language barrier, we made friends with the "bouncer"

 Staying in the artisan district was a prime location for food, art and music; we started or ended every night at PopularArt some live jazz...too good!

I need to find myself a jazz club in Philadelphia as soon as possible!

El Parque del Retiro

Like most major cities, Madrid has a gorgeous (and extremely large) park right in the middle of the city that is perfect for a relaxing day laying in the sun or a intense run/bike around it's many trails.

 

 Black Swan!

The park was nearly endless in size yet calming everywhere you turned. I could have spent days exploring every inch of El Parque del Retiro but we had a lot of more of Madrid and Spain to explore so a couple hours had to suffice.

Flamenco

One night during our stay in Madrid we enjoyed a flamenco show at Cardamomo.

Elizabeth and I were completely mesmerized by the dancers' abilities. Every aspect of Flamenco dancing is intense; Between the high emotions of the dancer, the thick tension between partners, the speed of the footwork and the power of each quick step, we could not take our eyes off the stage. I highly suggest going to see a Flamenco show if you ever get the chance!

Madrid

Oh Madrid, you had me at hello!

I never thought I could love a city so far away from a coast (specifically a beach) but Madrid completely took me by surprise. Practically the most center point of Spain, Madrid is both the capital and historically known party spot within Spain--Tapas were instituted because the people of Madrid were often too intoxicated to do anything productive.

"People won't believe you went to Madrid unless you take a photo with THE bear"

The oldest restaurant in the world!

The architecture was gorgeous, art was everywhere (El Prado!), music was in the air (especially Jazz) and the cuisine was much more local than what we found in Barcelona. Ahhh, to be young and in Spain =)