Breakfast
With the late night yesterday, we had a late start waking up around 09090. We popped over to a chain outlet called Museo de Jamon for a cheap breakfast. There were lots of whole ham legs hanging from the ceiling, some still oozing. They range from EUR7 to 45 per kg. When cut they are dark red like beef, unlike the ham that is sold in the English-speaking world.
Museo de Jamon, our breakfast spot.
Palacio Real
While it wasn’t my first time in Spain, it was my first in Madrid. For our first exploration of Madrid, we opted to do the walking route suggested in our guide book. That took us to Plaza Mayor, Palacio Real (Royal Palace) and Plaza Espana, amongst other places.
At the Palacio Real, we walked with David, an interesting half-Turkish and half-Dominican Republic young man. The palace was impressive with many rooms of various styles. Some had embroidered walls, others tiles, yet others wood. We got an audio guide to help give some meaning to our exploration. As it turned out, the palace was quite well sign-posted and the audio guide was too waffly.
After a late lunch with our new friend opposite the Palace, we returned to our hostal for a rest. It felt like an odd day with our late start and our late lunch.
An observation from our walks today. In the Bordadores area, there were a number of shops selling spiritual items, as I call them. Crucifix with Jesus, priest garments, bishop mitres, communion paraphernalia. I was surprised how reasonably-priced they were for items that were so richly embroidered. Not sure how they would feel if one bought them for a fancy dress party!
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- Plaza Mayor.
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- Palacio Real.
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- Inside Palacio Real.
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- Inside Palacio Real.
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- Inside Palacio Real.
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- In the park with David.
Evening
We explored the Chueca area, Madrid’s gay neighbourhood, in the evening. It was early so it was still rather quiet. We spent some time in an internet café to wait for our tummies to be hungry before having a Chinese meal in Chueca . Good choice of the chicken with almonds and spicy Sichuan squid. We finished with a lemon cornetto on the walk back to the hostal