Madrid Day1

We have have 5 days to explore Madrid. So day one we get a bright an early start, 12 noon. Oh well they call it holiday for a reason. Our first glitch came the day of arrival when we learned Retiro Park was closed. Seems after the last wid storm a tree fell and killed a child. The park is planned to reopen on Saturday. Good news we will still be in Madrid but it is suppose to rain that day.  It is okay we can see the Prado and hopefully the rain won’t last all day and we have tramped around parks in the rain in the past.

We head off to the metro and the center of town for a walking tour of the area. Using Rick Steves as a  guide we have an enjoyable walk and will tour the royal palace so one thing is off the list. Of course we wait in line.  Not very long when we get to the front we understand why.  The palace is essentially closed due to official functions. It will open Friday after 3pm.  Okay time to rearrange the schedule, but oh wait.  I don’t have one!!!

The Puerto del Sol is like walking Hollywood Blvd. lots of street people dressed as statues, it is really the most creative display we have seen.  People milling about and street vendors happy to sell you a “real” Gucci bag , sunglasses or sports gear.  What makes these guys fun is there wares are displayed on a 4x4 canvass cloth with a rope along each edge.  The purpose is when the policia come by the rope is pulled creating a sack that they carry with them to move to another area, put the sack down loosen the cord and hock the special of the day. They move in a group of 6-10 guys.

Overall Madrid has a different feel, more crowded, more smoking and old city feel.  Does not seem like a pretty city as Barcelona.  Getting food is a little more of a challenge since many places close after lunch at 4:30 and do not open until 8:30 at night for dinner. Today we had a late lunch/ early dinner because we are going to try and do laundry and see at least one museum today.