At this church by our hotel there is a statue of Christ. You can kiss the feet of Christ on Fridays
This is a statue of Paco the dog. He started out as stray dog on the streets of Madrid. In the 1880s he became famous for frequenting cafes, theaters, bullfights and other events around Madrid. The dog met the mayor of Madrid in 1879 at Café de Fronos. Paco could go with the mayor or on his own to theaters and restaurants. Jóse says that the papers of Madrid would cover his nightly exploits and the restaurants he frequented. He was killed by a clumsy embarrassed bullfighter in 1882. The crowd at the stadium almost killed the bullfighter over this according to legend.
The oldest cinema in Madrid
This graffiti artist goes around town and changes the street signs.
More street art from Madrid
Buildings from Madrid
This building is in Old Madrid. The tall doors here were used to park horse drawn carriages. Now most are restaurants or hotels
These small plaques are placed on the walkways around Madrid to commemorate men and women who lost their lives to the Fascist during the Spainish civil war. I think you can still feel Madrid struggling with issue from the Spanish Civil War today. How should they feel about it? How should they remember it? How should they talk about it?
The oldest restaurant in the world. Guinness world record certificate bottom left corner in the right window.
Jose breaking it down.
Ashley and I enjoying cod. It was salted then rehydrated over several days and finally it gets fried. The fish was so delicate and delicious.
The bar in our first restaurant
Plaza Mayor in Madrid
The streets of Madrid are cool.
Jóse, Ashley and Kari at the Plaza Mayor
More shots from the street
This is a statue of Ratón Pérez he is the equivalent of our tooth fairy. He was created by writer Luis Coloma. He will take your teeth and leave a small gift. Jóse says that many families will paint a little mouse hole on the wall for their families so that Ratón Pérez can come and visit.
Beautiful Saturday in Madrid
Fabrica Maravillas is the only craft brewery in Madrid
Jóse, Scott and Estefania, who is the badass owner of this brewery. We sampled several beer and I had a delicious hoppy west coast IPA. I had looked at this before our trip and while small it is great place for a beer in Madrid.
Next we stopped for the peppers sautéed in olive oil and sprinkled with sea salt. Simple and delicious.
Great white wine. Jóse said this code could help you/us find similar wines where we live.
The mussels are huge. The prep is simple. Steamed in white wine, squeeze a lemon and eat fresh mussels.
On open church on our walk
Love the outside of this stop.
Anchovies in teriyaki olive oil. So good
Cheese, bread, cured meat. ❤️ ❤️🇪🇸❤️❤️
Look at this cheese. From top to bottom
1. Manchego cheese: La Mancha region of Spain.
Sheep Milk.
2. Cana de Cabra cheese: Goat milk. Full flavor mild and great with seasoned meats.? What isn’t great with seasoned meats.
3. Mahón cheese: Cow milk. From the island of Menorca. Sweet and fruity and slightly salty due to the sea salt content in the grass the cows eat. This stuff is the 💣
4. Idiszabal cheese: sheep milk. Can have a somewhat smoky flavor but I do not think one was very smoky at all
Inside the cafe
I was not blue eating cheese and cured meats but the cafe was.
Our final tapa stop
Look at me and Jóse drinking espresso. I am so European now.
At the end of the day the most interesting man in Spain had to go back to his family but not before he became part of selfie nation!!!
I was walking down the street and these girls were all doing influencer photos in the doorway so I thought I would get in on the mix. The one girl in the back never stops influencing. #legends.
Karin Benzema’s Ballon d’or trophy at Real Madrid store. I am fairly confident this is a replica. 😂
The Bank of Spain 🇪🇸. #The Vault.
I have arrived at the plaza on a beautiful late afternoon in Madrid
How is my afternoon so far??
Is there a toxic amount of cured meats and Iberian Jamon??
Ashley and I found this Hemingway bar. It is a speakeasy in Madrid. To enter you first walk through the bathroom and then pull back this panel. Super fun to find, great vibe. Quiet.
Old Fashioned. As good as it gets. Might even be better than a Mo Fashioned
Pisco Sour. Just me getting my Hemingway on.
Ashley enjoyed a Margarita.
After this it was an early bed night because tomorrow is going be a full travel day. Madrid to Atlanta and Atlanta to home. Wish us luck. Spain has been great but I cannot keep eating dinner at 8:30 or 9:30 at night.
Final shot from the Madrid airport we are on our way home.
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