9/26/2015: Punt

Had a late start today. We intended to visit Palacio Real. This was the home of monarchs until the 1930s.  It is an immense property with some 2,800 rooms. We had a great start.  Found a small but elegant  Italian/Spanish restaurant close to thee palace. Had a great meal with paella and carbonara. Perfect to share.

Photos are: Palacio Real, grounds that once were the stables for the horses, Cervantes Tower and Don Quiote.

Got to the palace and lines to get in were formidable. It was Saturday. So locals and tourists had thesame idea. We decided to try tomorrow at an earlier time.  Walked to the Plaza Espana. This is dedicated to Cervantes.  A huge statue featuring Cervantes is complemented with a beautiful statue of Don Quiote. This area was hugely popular with tourists.  Everyone wanted to have a photo with Don Quiote. Hence, my photos are a little choppy.  I tried to get them as clean as possible. On the way back, we took an unknown route to us. We wandered through narrow streets and found a small tea shop on the way. Got some Darjeeling.  Passed by many small restaurants and shops. The main ares  very busy. So we headed back to the apartment.  We got our travel plans to Córdoba organized.

I usually include some reflections on our travels. I will try and splice some in every now and then.

This is based only on observations as is.  Where we are in Madrid, we are seeing not only native
people of Madrid, but tourists from all over the world. I would say, Americans are a minority of the
tourists.  So, generalities are not soley about Spain.

First, I am sad to see such a large number of smokers. It is quite obvious.  We wonder if the national health programs of the countries involved are not being proactive. It does not seem to be gender related. We are not prudes, both being ex-smackers.

We want our friend Fernando to convince his son to open a Churros Restaurant in Athens. His son is moving from Mexico to Athens. Becky and I would be there often enough to ensure its success.

I think the camera functions on mobile devices should be immediately banned. Every single person in the tourist world thinks they are a renowned photographer. Everyone being photographed thinks they are the next famous model. It is an incredible nuisance.

We have been really impressed by the Spanish people we have met. They are more formal than many
of their Latin American counterparts ( who may not think highly of this).  But, once the formality is overcome, they are the same as all of us.  This is what we find wherever we travel.

I am probably in enough trouble for now.  Tomorrow, we return to the Palacio Real and go to the Parque del Retiro for Sunday in the Park.