Madrid

Plaza Mayor

A 3-day trip to Madrid (Gab only) to visit a good friend Jeff who was visiting Madrid from San Francisco for vacation.  Jeff and I realized we first met through John McArdle in 2002.  We had some fun times in between, including Bodega Bay 2005 (run like the birds are chasing you) and Cape Cod 2004  (I think this table will hold you) but I digress.  He looked us up again in Paris in Oct 2015, then I saw him this past January in San Fran, and now Madrid.

We had a great time, lots of sun, warm weather, tapas, delicious inexpensive wine and cava, walking, and we were there when Real Madrid won the Champions League Saturday night, and saw the tour bus bringing the players to their celebration party on Sunday.  How cool.

Friday
Leaving Paris, bus to Orly past the Eiffel tower, arrive Madrid, hotel Petit Palais Tres Cruces in the busy downtown area, dinner with Jeff - sangria and tapas of course.

Saturday morning
Jeff was staying around the corner from me at the Praktik Metropol hotel with a nice lobby so we met there for coffee.  Then breakfast in Plaza Mayor, San Miguel Market, car show, botanical garden.

Saturday evening
Personal tapas and wine tour with 5 other folks.  We had so much fun!  We went to four authentic tapas places and ate and ate and drank and drank.  One place even had vermouth on tap.

Sunday, then Monday return to Paris
Another warm, sunny day with some scattered clouds.  Late breakfast, bus tour to El Rastro neighborhood with flea market and food stalls.  Back to town, a leisurely walk in the fancy shopping area, then a glass of wine on top of the fancy department store el Cortes Ingles.  Real Madrid team bus passed us with police escort to celebration.  We went back to the hotel and rooftop deck where the police helicopters were circling for security purposes.

Monday, back to Paris, a holiday (Whit Monday, day after Pentecost) and lovely weather.

Yes, this is the Real Madrid bus with the "Champions" being escorted to the celebration:

Do you think Ronaldo saw me jumping up and down and waving at him? not sure.


Comments