Dr Ron Virmani — My Trip To Marvelous Madrid

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Dr Ron Virmani?-?My Trip to Marvelous Madrid
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• In October 2000, I decided to explore the Spanish
  culture. As you know, this often starts off with
  a travel agent. She suggested Madrid to quench my
  wanderlust.
• A DELTA flight took me to Atlanta and then
  another to Madrid. I landed at the airport
  bleary-eyed after overnight plane travel. I was
  then taken to the hotel where I promptly fell
  asleep.
• I woke up in the afternoon to take a half-day bus
  tour of the city. This convinced me that Madrid
  is splendid. It is an amazing matrix of old and
  new architecture, buildings that are 500 years
  old and buildings that have been well maintained.
  The promenades are wide and the landscape along
  them is spectacularly dotted with fountains,
  sculptures and horticulture. Fortunately, each
  day was sunny, 75 degrees and picture perfect.
  Mornings and evenings got cold enough to need a
  jacket.

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• This is a city that never sleeps. Bustling with
  tourists and Spanish zest for life, midnight
  feels like midday. One is overwhelmed by so much
  to do and see.
• The next day, I decided to walk along Gran Via to
  Del Prado, their world-famous museum.
  Unfortunately, the paintings and other items bear
  captions only in Spanish, no English is provided.
  I hired an English speaking guide and proceeded
  to learn a little about the 16th century Spanish
  painters such as Jose de Ribera, Diego Valazquez
  de Silva, Francisco de Goya etc.
• After spending the morning at Del Prado, I walked
  to Puerto Del Sol (Gateway to the Sun). This is
  the most famous city square where many celebrated
  streets of Madrid meet. Tourists are seen
  bustling around its modern cafes, pastry shops,
  shoe stores, book stores, newsstands and of
  course, souvenir shops.

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• Then I walked along such beautiful roads such as
  Calle de Alcala, Calle de la princesa and others
  whose names escape me now. I saw a marvelous
  achievement of architecture, city planning,
  preservation of history and spirit of human
  existence. I also visited a bull fight, which
  left a bad taste in my mouth. By the way, they
  told me that eat the bull after it is killed.
• For the uninitiated, Spanish food is almost
  completely meat based, so beware. While getting
  cash (1 dollar 180 pesetos) from ATMs was no
  problem, language was a barrier. I spent two days
  walking on the city streets and kept filling with
  awe at the amazing variety of sculpture and
  architecture. It seemed like no two buildings
  were alike. At night, the fountains would light
  up and deck the city like a jewel-laden bride.

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• I took a day tour to Escorial to see an old
  monastry. Here the powerful form of Santa Cruz,
  the Holy Cross, about 300 feet tall, overwhelms
  your senses once again. In the afternoon, I
  visited Toledo, the capital of Spain until King
  Philip made Madrid the capital in 1560. Tagus
  river encircles the granitic rock on which Toledo
  stands. I was very impressed by the history and
  architecture of this old city, that is so well
  preserved.
• On the last night, I took in a show of Flamengo
  dancing. By this time I was sleep deprived but
  exhilarated from the richness of experience. I
  came back to the Queen City, with fond memories
  and appreciation of a completely different
  people. Therein lies, I hope, the essence of
  life!
• Written by Dr Ron Virmani