WANDERLUST FRIDAY: VIVA ESPANA (Part 2)

Madrid was the first city I set off to explore while living in Spain. My purpose behind this trip was to meet a friend from the States who was flying in to travel with me for a week. Arriving a day early to get a feel for the city I quickly hit the streets in search of a place to sleep for the night. I had decided not to plan anything in advance and assumed I would be a brave traveler staying in a hostel for the first time. After leaving the 6th hostel with no luck finding a free room I began to panic. Naive American traveler that I was did not anticipate the hordes of people traveling for Semana Santa (Holy Week). 

I had emailed a few people on Couch Surfing a few days prior to see if I could stay at their apartment, but I had received no responses before arriving. Couch surfing is based on the concept that people offer travelers a place to stay for free as well as a bit of a personal introduction to the local way of life if the host has time. During this moment of panic I began considering other options if I didn't find a place to sleep such as spending the night on a bench in the airport, staying out all night, or going to the 1 store in Madrid that stayed open for 24hrs.

There was a guy on Couch Surfing who had listed his number in the event of an emergency. I came to the conclusion that it was officially a state of an emergency, so I sent him a text message. He eventually messaged me back and assured me I was welcome to stay at his apartment. After a moment of weighing the pros and cons I decided I wanted an adventure, to save money, and to see Madrid from a local's perspective. And that I did. 

My first Couch Surfing experience was fantastic, magical even. Miguel rescued me at a moment's notice and shared as much as the city with me as was possible in one night: tourist spots, food, coffee, authentic flamenco, disco, R&B, underground salsa (behind a closed metal door in an empty alley at 4am no less), and great conversation. I was so thankful I had opted to seek out adventure. After an hour of sleep I set out for the airport to greet my friend. The pinnacle of my adventure had occurred, and I knew nothing could ever hold me back.

Parque del Buen Retiro

Symbol of Madrid

KIO Towers

Plaza de Cibeles

Almundena Cathedral- attended mass here on Easter Sunday

One of the most unique cathedrals I have ever been in. Love the colors.

oh the details

Royal Palace

Prado Museum

Easter procession during Holy Week

mid day snack- cafe con leche and torrijas (a traditional Easter pastry)

had to fight through this to enjoy that

It is said all roads in Spain originate from this point.

Plaza Mayor

ham ham and more ham

Flamenco in a dimly lit room filled with smoke & good spirits. Interesting and oddly personal.

Puerta de Alcala

top image via

WANDERLUST FRIDAY: VIVA ESPANA! (Part 1)

Spain holds a dear place in my heart having lived there for three months after graduate school. Most thought I was crazy setting off for the unknown alone when I should have been looking for a job. I was the only person at graduation that didn't have a position lined up, but I knew what I was doing. Last night, I realized this week is the 5 year anniversary of that monumental leap. It was an amazing time when I learned much about myself, saw many wonderful places (not nearly enough), discovered the world of salsa, developed a love for cafe con leche, met many great people and had my unforgettable first bite of paella. Here are a few of my favorite places......

VALENCIA

This was my view when I walked out of my apartment every day.

The Cathedral

The Plaza de la Virgin at night

The City of the Arts and Sciences

Las Fallas

My favorite building- Banco de Valencia

Las Fallas

Malvarossa Beach

via

They were hosting the America's Cup while I was there

Carmen barrio- liveliest neighborhood in the old city

Albufera- salt lagoon just outside the city where they grow rice

 Must Do's

1.  Learn the secrets of the perfect cafe con leche

2. Go to a paella & help cook it (this dish is often referred to an event like a barbeque)

3. Start your day with a chocolate croissant 

4. Drive out to Albufura where paella originated

5. Eat a fresh orange (they grow all over the city but don't pick them off the trees...they've been sprayed)

6. Indulge in churros with chocolate

7. Take a break for tapas

Valencia is Spain's 3rd largest city and, in my humble opinion, is a hidden gem on the Mediterranean. Nonexistent are the hordes of tourists as in other cities I visited in Spain. There is a sense of community that one feels there and they have one of the largest festivals in the world, Las Fallas

Las Fallas is one continuous party for 5 days and nights.  The city is taken over by fallas (huge papier-mache sculptures on wood) built by local artists for each neighborhood. Locals often wear a traditional and historical costumes. There are endless processions with crowds spilling into the streets dancing to block music with cuba libres in hand. Valencia considers itself the pyrotechnic capital of the world and each day at 2pm they have a mascleta in the Plaza de Ayuntamiento. For more than 5 minutes the city literally shakes (I once witnessed a window shattering) from deafening explosions of fireworks. 

BARCELONA

When you talk with most people who have traveled to Spain, they light up when they speak of Barcelona. It has some magical effect on those who are fortunate enough to wander it's streets. One can't possibly think of Barcelona without thinking of Antoni Gaudi who was the architect of the amazing buildings seen in these photos.

Sangrada Familia

the ceiling inside- work began in 1882 and is planned to be complete in 2026

View from Tibidabo

Enjoy!

JQ