Travelogue: The Madrileña Part II - Of Churros and Toros

In the vain hope of actually documenting my trip, you'll see some entries interlaced in between ones of actual life back in the States.  I apologize for the chronological confusion that is about to occur, but hopefully pretty pictures will allow you to forgive me.

Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas in Madrid

Lesson one about Madrid is that it may not be for the faint of heart.  It's rich, yes.  Both in culture and in cuisine, which we apparently learned the hard way when wandering through the Museo de Jamón (Museum of Ham) or watching an actual bull fight at Las Ventas.  For the sake of not disturbing you too much, I'll probably forgo from the discussion of the bullfight.  It was gory.  Fortunately, I was so exhausted from jet lag that I actually fell asleep in the middle of the bullfight.  The plus sides?  The bull fighting ring was beautiful, and the toreadors have some cute tooshes.

Left:  Anita and I in front of the Chocolateria de San Gines; Right:  Devouring the churros.

Lesson two?  The extent of how gory the bull fight was was made up for in the deliciousness of Madrid's markets and local staples.  One of the must-go-to places on my list was the Chocolateria San Gines.  The store specializes in churros con chocolate.  Now, these aren't your run of the mill churros from Taco Bell or Costco, which I'll be honest were the only churros I had eaten at that point.  These are hot, funnel cake-like, melt in your mouth sticks of deliciousness, dipped in a soup-like chocolate.  The chocolate was not too sweet, but had a delicious dark bitterness to it.  Needless to say, they were eaten very quickly.

I've got more pictures of food where that came from.  You should click the next page to see it!  It'll make you hungry, I'm just going to warn you.  Click next to read more!

Travelogue: The Portable Madrileña Part I

Remember when I said that I would be posting often on this trip?  Clearly, I was very much incorrect, as evidenced by the fact that I am clearly at home right now.  After arriving, we spent two days in Madrid before departing for Toledo for a day en route to Barcelona.  Surprisingly enough, Madrid proved to be the very definition of calm and quiet, with a large amount of its population being on holiday.

Lunch at Dolores Promesas at Sant Pere in Madrid

As tired and hungry tourists, our introduction to the city was through food.  As with a majority of Spanish cities (especially those frequented by tourists), tapas dominate the culinary scene.  With the aid of some guidebooks (namely "Rick Steves"... or as my friend Ashley lovingly calls him "Rick"), we found an amazing little canape (toast with meat, cheeese or sauce on top) bar a couple blocks down from our hotel called "Dolores Promesas."

Above:  Book stands on the side of the Cuesta de Moyano; Below:  Parque del Retiro

With the streets being mostly empty -- aside from tourists and the few locals we did spot -- we had plenty of room to wander around before the art museums became free of charge.  The Old Quarters of Madrid seemed to be a treasure trove for the intellectual, with used books peddlers with goods from as early as the late 1800's in great abundance.  Wandering through a mostly empty park with unobstructed views didn't hurt too much either.

Somehow through all of the wandering and our tired stupor, we managed to hit both the Prado and the Reina Sofia art museums.  Unfortunately, I got a stern talking to when I attempted to take a picture at the Prado, but fortunately, the Reina Sofia museum was a little bit more relaxed about me pulling out my camera phone.

In any case, it's my first weekend back in Atlanta before I fly off to Dallas for training.  More Spain recapping to be done later!  Holler at your girl!

Lookbook: In the Air and On the Ground

What a whirlwind.  Four o'clock yesterday afternoon, I gathered my things from JZ's place in East Village and headed to the airport.  About 8 hours later and with little time to waste, here I am in Madrid soaking up the light breeze and sun, with my two best friends Ashley and Anita.  It's a bit of a friendship anniversary, as this year marks the 15-year anniversary of when I met Anita and the 10-year anniversary of when we both met Ashley.  In any case, it made for a good excuse for all of us to meet up in another country, since we all   live up and down the East Coast.  I'll probably write more on the sights and sounds of Day 1 a little later tonight/tomorrow morning.

With little time to spare, we all dressed for the plane ride as close as we could to what we'd be wearing for the day in Spain.  I put on an incredibly comfortable Banana Republic pleated skirt with a Club Monaco t-shirt on top, which made for easy sleeping and comfortable day-trip wearing (or as JZ called it, a nicer version of sweats).  Almost twelve hours later, I have no discomfort or complaints.

Banana Republic Accordion Pleated Skirt; Club Monaco Sunny Tee; Madewell Contrast Mini Mailbag (similar, similar)

Left:  In the garden of the Museo Reina Sofia; Right:  Swell Caroline Bracelet, Coach Watch (old), Madewell Indego Africa Bracelet

Click next to read more and a little sneak peek at the actual travelogue version of Day 1.  Slash, you totally should because we look absolutely adorable.  Read more!