Madrid, Spain: Dave will be 70 this month, so we I decided to book an epic month-long trip to celebrate. Why not? Obviously not getting any younger, and our grandkids will be in school over the next month. (NOTE: This trip was booked and paid for during the Biden-Harris administration, before our 401k became a 201k.)
We flew out of Los Angeles Monday evening on British Airways to Heathrow, changed planes, and ended-up in Madrid, Spain. We have been to Spain several times, but never to Madrid, so this will be a new city for us to explore. Follow along!
Not much was accomplished since we left our house Monday morning at 11a. Sitting in our car driving to Lisa and Lenny's house. Sitting in our car while Lenny drove us to LAX. Sitting for 10 hours in a plane. We did get to walk about 300 miles from where our LAX-Heathrow flight dropped us, to where we would board our connecting BA flight to Madrid. The airport provides a shuttle/train, but we thought it best to walk. Ugh. So tired from all that sitting. The lines in Heathrow were epic and we had to clear security again (though not immigration)... after I thought we were over all the laptops-and-liquids scenario, I (and everyone else) had to get these items scanned again. They did let us keep our shoes on. Rushed to catch our flight to Madrid... only to learn the crew hadn't finished cleaning the plane! Rushed for nothing.
After unpacking our (carry on) bags, we took a little stroll around the pretty central neighborhood where we are staying and looked for a tapas (appetizer) restaurant. I wanted Potato Bravas, Dave wanted Estrella Damm beer. We also must have wanted a mini double-smash burger and padron peppers - all items shared. Fun evening, seated at long shared tables with fellow Puerto Rican and German tourists.
none of the peppers were spicy tonight.
Notice the tourist-friendly photo menus? We usually stay away from places like this, but every restaurant for the few blocks we explored had the same situation and basically the same foods on offer and everything flying from the kitchens to the tables set up in the square looked delicious. (I make this dish with a heavy smoky paprika and tomato sauce on the bottom of the plate, then top with roasted crispy potatoes. This version had a little sauce on the bottom and a little garlic-mayo situation drizzled over. Also good.
I am off to my bed, but tomorrow we will explore Madrid and I will update again.
PS: The columns from this trip will be posted in US West Coast time, so you may find yourselves reading THE FUTURE.
Until my next update, I remain, your Spanish correspondent.
LINKS:
Weather in Madrid
I first went to Madrid in 1970, Franco was still very much alive. I had never seen armed military personnel in the streets. It was quite ‘educational’. Despite the first trip I have returned several times and it has become one of our favorite cities. I am sure you have your trip well planned Dear Goddess but you may not know about the James Joyce, an outstanding Irish Pub or the Museo de Sorolla, museum in the former home of on of Spain’s great artists. Happy Birthday Dave and have a splendid time.