Madrid III (Spring Break)

2/22/15

Day 38

Disclaimer: A lot of the pictures I took are on my camera, which I can't upload until I get my computer back, so I'll have to add them later. Sorry. 

The original plan was to wake up early and make it to the El Rastro flea market before the crowds but, well, we barely got there a little before it closed at 3. It was a fun experience because it apparently has over 3500 different stalls (according to gomadrid.com), but none of us ended up finding anything we were really excited about. 

As we shopped, a parade of African drumming and dancing came through. Luckily, instead of going early enough to beat the crowds, we went late enough! 

After resting a little while back at this beautiful place on earth, we walked down Gran Vía (the main road, also where we're staying) all the way down to the Palacio de Cibeles. I honestly had given up on Madrid and did not expect it to be as cool as it was! We didn't even go in but it redeemed Madrid from its boringness at least a little. Against a darkening sky, it's white spires stood out and the pictures don't do the fountain justice. Every building we passed on the way to it had gotten progressively more beautiful until we reached the palace itself.

I think I judge cities based on their uniqueness, especially how they show up in pictures. (Hello it's me- I can't go to a new city and not take pictures and if I'm gonna take pictures, they better be good). Architecture and fountains make for good pictures- which Madrid didn't have any of until today! 

We'd gotten our chocolate and churros yesterday, but we still hadn't been to "the best place"... Chocolatería San Ginés. Not only was it cheaper than yesterday, but the chocolate was so much better and the churros were perfectly fried and crispy on the outside.

I'm still a teeny bit disappointed that the churros here aren't covered in cinnamon and sugar and aren't as big as what we think of as "churros" in America, but these were really really good, despite those setbacks. 

Since we're Americans, our fatness did not stop there. We were still hungry. We'd passed a burger place on our way to Cibeles and had been craving it since then. On our way home, we stopped at "The Good Burger" and it hit the spot. The packaging obviously shouldn't matter but it does to me, and TGB's packaging was. on. point. (It's the little things) It came in a box and had TGB stamped on the bun!

We had been planning on going out until we learned that Kapital is only open Thursday through Saturday nights... I guess we'll never know if we were "elegant" enough to get in... I'll have to add that to my growing list of things to do next time I get a chance to come to Spain!