Walk like an Egyptian....

Today is Thursday, which means tomorrow we leave Madrid for Valencia. I think when it comes time to leave, they are going to have to pry me from the room; I simply do not want to leave. Madrid is simply amazing. Things are pretty slow to get started in the morning (for that matter, so is Alison), but the shops and restaurants are open well into the night, you can even go shopping in the big stores at 11.00 pm.

For lunch today we found our way to the San Miguel markets, where we had a variety of tapas washed down with a large beer (god that wife of mine can drink). The food was great and the variety almost limitless. Whilst we shared a plate of empanadas, some croquettes and some seafood tapa, we could have kept eating all afternoon. Although we were both full as googs, we couldn’t resist a couple of cakes so large I’m pretty sure they could have feed a small African village for a month. Needless to say, we couldn’t finish them. What’s that my mum used to say about my eyes and my belly?

San Miguel markets, where we had our tapas for lunch.

This morning we visited the Palacio Real de Madrid, or Royal Palace. Just like Versailles, Vienna and other palaces we’ve visited, it was grand to the point of the ridiculous. It has never amazed me how people line up for hours and then pay considerable amounts of money to see how obscenely wealthy aristocrats used to live in the sort of luxury we would condemn outright today. Maybe there’s just a small part in all of us that wishes it could be us. Anyway, the palace was beautiful and we were glad we could add this to our list.

The Palacio Read de Madrid.

This morning we also visited a genuine Egyptian monument, Templo de Debod, which sits atop the Parque del Oeste. The view from the Madrid high spot is quite spectacular, and we intend to return there this evening, along with most of Madrid, to watch the sun set.

Tempo de Debod

The monument was given as a present to the Spanish people for helping to save the temples of Nubia and Abu Simbel when Lake Nasser was flooded to create the Aswan High Dam. It was amazing to be able to walk into a structure that was created well over 2000 years ago, in the time of the Roman occupation of Egypt, and some parts over 3000 years ago in the Nubian period.

The Cathedral Almudena

We certainly don't want to leave, but I know there will be more great places to come. And, we do get to return to Madrid for one more night before we leave to fly home. Who knows, I might even decide to stay.