Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Ola! We made it to Spain... It was a rather long drive through the Pyreenes to get here. The landscape was very dry and desert like in appearance. Almost expected there to be cowboys and Indians!
Once we had settled into our hotel we went to catch the metro to the city centre - passing groups of old men and women playing cards on the sidewalk. First stop was to have a cold cervesa in the square as the it was rather hot - 36 deg. We then strolled down to the Puerta del Sol looking for somewhere to stop and have a bite to eat. We settled on a place called the Musee de Jamon, where we had paella and cervesa at the bar - for 3 people it was 17.5 Euro (was even ordered in Spanish!). It was then time to head back to the hotel for an earlish night.
The following day Chris and I ventured out to the city to do some further exploring, we went and located the ticket office for the Bull Fight (it was closed so we continued on), next stop was the Plaza Mayor where we went into the Bullfighters Bar and once again had a beer. Collected the Bullfight tickets and made our way to the Museo Del Prado where we saw Van Gogh's exhibition "The Last Landscapes" - simply gorgeous. Next stop was at the Plaza d'Oriente where we saw Placido Domnigo in Madame Butterfly - the music was magnificent, the crowd jostling and Chris asking people to sit down was entertaining also. After all this excitement it was time to venture back to the hotel.
Day of the bull fight arrived - first up on the agenda this morning was to go to the Centro de Arte Reina Sofia Museum - they had a great collection on Dali and Picasso. It was then off to the Palace to take some photos (surprise suprise) before heading back to the hotel for a siesta.
We left the hotel to head off to Plaza de Toros in Ventas a little early - around 7 pm (fight didn't start till 8.30pm). The atmosphere outside was similar to that of a rugby/footy game - there were people milling around buying refreshments and souvenirs. We wandered around the ring then saw everyone at the gate so made our way in.
Our seats were fantastic - they were in the shade at the front (behing a barrier - if that's what you'd call it). In front of us where the coaches and their assistants as well as the actual Novillada's (bullfighters) - they were literally at arms reach. One of the coaches gave us his cape to drape in front of us. The first bull fighter was our favourite, he was graceful, quick and precise. There were a few moments when the bull got the better of the fighters - it was a rather scary sight.
We finished off at around 11pm and made our way back to the hotel as the following day was the drive to Barcelona - my leg!
- comments