Sometimes traveling for work is a blessing; sometimes it's a curse. But, I am truly grateful for the opportunities I've had for excursions big and small, and to have my eyes opened to daily life in other countries, even when it comes in the midst of a whirlwind of flight connections, hotels, meetings, and three countries in as many days. Today, I started one of those weeks, and to boot, I'm traveling to two cities that I would love to spend more time in, Madrid and Lisbon, with just a skosh less than 36 hours to allow either city and their respectively rich histories.
My concession to the bucket list was to take an afternoon stroll around the sights in central Madrid. With some recommendations from my favorite Spaniard in hand, off I toddled for a tapas lunch at Taverna Almendro 13, tucked away in La Latina. The "Oferta" del dia was a tasty selection of tuna salad with marinated tomatoes, peppers, and chopped hard boiled eggs, and lomo de ajo (pork cooked with garlic) atop a mound of homemade potato crisps. The waiter looked a bit offended and asked if I hadn't liked the salad when I didn't finish all of that, plus the four potato croquettes he gave me. They say Americans go crazy with portions, but Almendro was giving the Cheesecake Factory a run for its money with this menu-for-one.
After lunch, I wandered through the Puerta del Sol, and the spokes of streets filled with shops that hub off of the plaza. I treated myself to lovely painted abanicos (fans) at Casa de Diego as a souvenir to take home - I may need to learn some flamenco moves so that they can fulfill their purpose in life, but they were too lovely to pass up. After a thorough exploration of the shopping and monuments around the plaza, I ponied up to the standing coffee bar at La Mallorquina for some cafe con leche and an ensaimada with three Madrid matrons wearing mink coats - the Spaniards do not want for style.
Late afternoon was casting long shadows as I strolled through the Plaza Mayor and onward to el Museo Prado. Madrid, washed in the deepening light of a Fall sunset is truly lovely. There were corridors of trees with gold leaves and occasional glows of red foliage. Church facades and statues lit up as the sun dropped behind the skyline and the sky blushed toward evening. I gave my feet a rest, sitting on one of the stone benches outside el Prado, soaking it all in, and then wandered through the church, unable to resist the play of light that was turning its stones the loveliest shade of pink. I finished my walking tour by answering the siren's call that no American in Europe can long resist - a big cup of coffee and the wifi and easy chairs at Starbuck's. Then, it was onwards to the metro and back to our briskly efficient, but welcoming Hotel Maydrit, to meet Antonio and a partner for a surprisingly excellent meal of grilled asparagus with jamon iberico, fideua, and tiramisu at the hotel restaurant.
Business accomplished, and a bit of culture soaked in - now on to Lisbon.
My concession to the bucket list was to take an afternoon stroll around the sights in central Madrid. With some recommendations from my favorite Spaniard in hand, off I toddled for a tapas lunch at Taverna Almendro 13, tucked away in La Latina. The "Oferta" del dia was a tasty selection of tuna salad with marinated tomatoes, peppers, and chopped hard boiled eggs, and lomo de ajo (pork cooked with garlic) atop a mound of homemade potato crisps. The waiter looked a bit offended and asked if I hadn't liked the salad when I didn't finish all of that, plus the four potato croquettes he gave me. They say Americans go crazy with portions, but Almendro was giving the Cheesecake Factory a run for its money with this menu-for-one.Late afternoon was casting long shadows as I strolled through the Plaza Mayor and onward to el Museo Prado. Madrid, washed in the deepening light of a Fall sunset is truly lovely. There were corridors of trees with gold leaves and occasional glows of red foliage. Church facades and statues lit up as the sun dropped behind the skyline and the sky blushed toward evening. I gave my feet a rest, sitting on one of the stone benches outside el Prado, soaking it all in, and then wandered through the church, unable to resist the play of light that was turning its stones the loveliest shade of pink. I finished my walking tour by answering the siren's call that no American in Europe can long resist - a big cup of coffee and the wifi and easy chairs at Starbuck's. Then, it was onwards to the metro and back to our briskly efficient, but welcoming Hotel Maydrit, to meet Antonio and a partner for a surprisingly excellent meal of grilled asparagus with jamon iberico, fideua, and tiramisu at the hotel restaurant.Business accomplished, and a bit of culture soaked in - now on to Lisbon.
