June 30, 2007

• Viva Espana-Madrid

  Well after much ado about nothing, the waste of time known as clinical skills course is over, i am officially moved downtown (in lincoln park, w00t) and i begin doctoring, albeit as the lowest monkey on the totem pole, on monday. Given all that, i figured i should try and pump out a couple of spain posts before i begin work and have to neglect xanga for who knows how long

  So let me begin…

  Just so you all know, spain is closed on weekends. Yes, spain, as in the ENTIRE FREAKING COUNTRY. Thankfully i had purchased tickets to a bullfight for the first night we arrived, since all tourist attractions, shops, and the majority of restaurants were closed until monday. This was not a national holiday, just business as usual

  however I did see some nice knockers like this one
  
  Nice…one sexual pun and its only the first post. still got it

  
  Here is the Palacio Real, aka the royal palace (closed)
  
  Don Quixote and Sancho Panza, one of my favorite old time classics, and apparently one of Espanas favorites as well

  
  As we kept wandering we came across a sign that appeared to read, Museum of Ham. Whatever in the world could be inside?
  
  Spaniards <3 their meat

  
  Brian also loves spanish meat. wall to wall meat.
  
  Another shot of the closed for business royal palace

  
  And the walkway to the puerta del sol, a huge gathering place filled with shops and restaurants. Very european, and very closed. However, since we were in madrid for 3 days, we did finally make it out to look in some of the shops, so dont fret

  
  Our hotel did not allow flappers, or smoking of fancy cigarettes….we never did figure out which

  
  One of the few things that was open was the famous Prado museum, with an entire room devoted to Goya, one of my favorite artists (along with MC Escher and Salvador Dali) so we walked through that and took a gander….sadly no photos inside the museum, so you cannot appreciate the art along with me

  
  If anyone saw the movie Eurotrip, you will understand why I took this picture, and why my mother prevented me from doing any more than taking a photo…if not, go rent the movie!

  
  The Plaza Mayor is know for being the site of the many trials of the Spanish Inquistion

  
  I have no idea who that man is, but perhaps he was an inquistor…
  
  Why is there a chicago hot dog place in spain???
  
  The lovely and relaxing Retiro Park

  
  With Accompanying Crystal Palace (dont be fooled, it is really glass, but glass palace doesnt sound quite as regal)

  
  The Triunfo in Madrid
  
  The Puerta Del Sol in the evening
  
  Next Post…bullfighting!

  -J

  • 7:20 pm
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