I don’t know what it is about doors; but I like them. These were taken in the oldest part of Madrid surrounding Plaza Mayor.
Posts Tagged With: Spain
Doors of Madrid
Plaza Mayor – Madrid
One of my favorite places in Madrid that I wish we had had more time to hang out in is Plaza Mayor. Surrouned by restaraunts, cafes, and street performers it captures what plazas in Spain are all about.
I enjoyed the entrances being a little askew.
According to our guide there is a new trend in Europe which involves putting padlocks on public features to mark significant events like a first date, proposal, whaterver. Several of the light posts in Plaza Mayor had several locks.
Things about Europe, and this trip, that confuse me.
1. Why are the toilets in each country different? More specifically, why do the flush differently?
2. Why does Italy have toilet paper dispensed like tissues and not a roll?
3. Who made the driving rules and why don’t they have more accidents? (Ok, that’s really two questions so…)
5. Why did Pisa smell like piss? (To be fair parts of San Francisco and other famous places do too; I’m just going for the cheap laugh).
6. Why don’t Americans adopt the European attitude and just go out and chill with the neighbors and friends every night? I mean just tonight one of the hotels here had a lobby full of elder people dancing.
7. Why is the McDonalds logo green?
8. Does the Disney store really need to be in Florence, and if so, do Americans need to buy stuff from it? Apparently
Day 5
Today was another brutal travel day from Barcelona to Avignon. We were lucky enough to stop at Carcassone and Pont du Gard.
Both places were amazing though would have been better sans touristicas. Actually, carcassone was a little too touristy; but we do the same thing to awesome historical sites and they’re still awesome. I did think it was odd that some hipster goths walking around until I saw the flier for the Marilynn Manson show.
Having trouble with the WiFi at this new hotel again so hopefully some pictures tomorrow on the way to Nice.
Day 1
Arrived yesterday after a total of a out 13 hours plane time, 10 from SF to Fankfurt, the. About 3 from there to Madrid. Needles to say the trip was exhausting, I was only able to sleep for about two hours total.
Though I was beat by the time we got to the hotel I had to go for a walk. On said walk I discovered this:
I had no idea.
The whole group took a short walking tour then went to dinner. Madrid is absolutely beautiful. The WiFi situation is a bit spotty so my posts may not be as frequent. But I’ll have lots of great photos to share. Today is the palace tour, the Prado Museum, the Museo de Reina Sofia, and a flamenco show after dinner. Gonna be a good day!
T- Minus 1 and Some Change
As with anything else, the anticipation of my upcoming journey has been excruciating. I’m pretty sure that this has been one of the longest weeks in history. I’ve spent a good portion of the week, and a few days more, dithering over what clothes to pack, what things to bring on the plane, and making sure I had a power converter, the proper chargers, etc., etc. All of it was really wasted dithering though, because all I really need to do is just throw some crap in a suitcase and just fuckin’ go!
I’m ready!
T- Minus 7
In six days I depart for Europe with 3 other teachers and 22 students. We’ll be venturing to Spain, France and Italy. Upon arriving in Spain we’ll hook up with several other schools from around the US bringing our group to a total of 54. Having lots of experience taking large groups of students on field trips I know that coralling a pack of teenagers away from home is both challenging, entertaining, and awesome. Our group is full of great kids and I don’t expect too many surprises beyond the one I had at our last meeting on Friday. We were signing kids up for a bicycle tour of Barcelona and one student did not want to go, or rather could not, because they didn’t know how to ride a bike. Totally unexpected. Doesn’t everyone at one time or another learn how to ride a bike? Anyway, knock on wood, as long as the suprises are of that ilk we’ll have a great time.
Here is a map of our trip:
And here are some of the things we’ll be doing. I’m not trying to create any jealousy here or anything 😉
Day 1: Fly overnight to Spain
Day 2: Madrid
o Arrive in Madrid
o Take a walking tour of Madrid
o Visit the Prado
Day 3
oTake a guided tour of Madrid
Puerto del Sol
oPlaza Mayor
oPlaza de Oriente
oVisit the Royal Palace
oMadrid Flamenco Evening
Day 4: Zaragoza • Barcelona
o Travel via Zaragoza to Barcelona
Day 5: Barcelona
o Take a guided tour of Barcelona
o Bike tour of Barcelona
Day 6: Carcassonne • Provence
o Take a tour of Carcassonne
o Travel to Provence
Day 7: Avignon • French Riviera
o Take a tour of Avignon
o Visit the Palais des Papes
o Visit the Pont du Gard
o Travel to the French Riviera
o Take a walking tour of Nice:
o Vieille Ville
o Promenade des Anglais
Day 8: Pisa • Florence
o Travel to Pisa
o See the Leaning Tower of Pisa
o Visit the Pisa Baptistery
o Visit Pisa Cathedral
o Continue on to the French Riviera
Day 9: Florence
o Take a guided tour of Florence
o Piazza della Signoria
o Ponte Vecchio
o Chiesa di Santa Croce
o Gates of Paradise
o Visit the Duomo
o See a leather-making demonstration
Day 10: Assisi • Rome
o Travel via Assisi to Rome
o Visit the Basilica of St. Francis
o Continue on to Rome
Day 11: Rome
o Take a guided tour of Vatican City
o Visit the Sistine Chapel
o Visit St. Peter’s Basilica
o Take a guided tour of Rome
o Visit the Colosseum
o Visit the Roman Forum
o Take a self-guided walking tour of Rome
o Trevi Fountain
o Pantheon
o Piazza Navona
o Spanish Steps
Day 12: Depart for home