Our trip to Spain started with the beautiful beach town of San Sebastian, just over the border from France. The Atlantic water was cool and refreshing, the small tapas meals were delicious, and the locals – who speak their native Basque language (as well as Spanish) were charming. Our next stop was Madrid, with it’s old world charm and traditions. We were able to visit with family: Calypsa, Luis, and adorable Oliver. We even got to thrill Paxton with a visit to a Stranger Things exhibit while we were there. From Madrid, we headed down toward Morocco and our first glimpse of the Mediterranean Sea and the towering Rock of Gibraltar.
San Sebastian
Our train ride from Paris to San Sebastian was delayed in Bordeaux for 5 hours due to a fire right next to the tracks further on. Here’s what we saw from the train when we were finally on our way again …still smoldering.The beautiful La Concha beach in downtown San Sebastian Paxton taking a break from swimming to play some soccerIf you look hard, you can see a man taking a siesta in his motorized chair.An old carousel circa 1900 near the beachEndless restaurants and shops fill these charming streetsHow Maria felt when taking this picture on the way to the bathroom at a local restaurantThe last day we were there was right before the kick off of a big jazz festival which we unfortunately had to miss.On the train ride from San Sebastian to MadridMountains as far as the eye could see
Madrid
Upon arrival in Madrid and after we dropped our bags at our city center apartment, we went outside to check out the area we were staying in. One of the first things Paxton saw was a store dedicated to Tintin! He was thrilled. Another one of our first sights was that of a large procession from a Catholic church down the street from the Tintin shop. Music filled the street during the processionInside the church where the processional startedThe side of this building was covered with bright orange insulation which gave it a cool, avant-garde effect.The opera building just down the road from where we stayedA statue in the middle of the square separating the opera building and royal palaceOne of many musicians around the cityThe courtyard of the royal palaceA view of the city outside of the city center we were staying inBeautifully painted street signsPaxton’s street……and Paxton’s metro stopFirst time we’ve ever seen female crosswalk symbols. Calypsa told us that a few years back Madrid had been the site of the country’s major LBGT festival and they changed pedestrian streetlights throughout the city to show men, women, and various groupings of couples to be inclusive. Two female crosswalk lightThe entrance to Madrid’s beautiful Buen Retiro Park Park gardensPaxton walking through the park with folks taking a bench siesta in the backgroundA big lake in the middle of the parkHungry fish being fed by a toddler with crackersA mama duck and her babies tried to get in on the cracker action, but the fish were usually too quick for them to get anyDancers in the parkWe happened upon this crazy see-saw-esque ride; very funWe visited a different part of the park the next day with Heidi’s daughter, Calypsa, her husband Luis, and their son Oliver – who live outside Madrid. What a wonderfully fun time we had. Adorable OliverAfter having to say goodbye to Calypsa, Luis and Oliver, we headed over to a Stranger Things exhibit; Paxton was so excited!Paxton getting a lesson from Dad on how to play cassette tapesRad!Spanish churros and chocolate. So delicious!Historical figures look out above a store frontThe bear and the apple trees: the symbol of the city. Representative of the original agreement of land use by the ruling party (who wanted to hunt) and the church (who wanted to cultivate).The juxtaposition of old and new buildings in close proximity to each otherThe train stationFeminist strikeMadrid also faces a homeless problemNobody homelessChristopher ColumbusThe continued invasion of Scientology…sigh. Various businesses had these cool sidewalk plaques in front of themA building that Hans Christian Anderson apparently lived at for a whileThe window was filled with jars of….?Bill thinks this statue looks like Bernie from Weekend at Bernie’s. What say you Andrew, Marley and Michael?We didn’t go in, but the McDonald’s looked way nicer than we’re used to……a far cry from McFlurrys for dessert
On the road south
Cool windmillsOlive groves covered the countrysideOur first glimpse of the Mediterranean SeaOur first glimpse of Africa/Morocco across the MediterraneanThe Rock of Gibraltar with Africa behind itThe Rock of GibraltarMorocco here we come
