Parque Quinta de los Molinos

Today, we visited Parque Quinta de los Molinos (metro stop: Suanzes). The almond trees are in bloom. =)

El Escorial

Went to El Escorial yesterday with a friend. This small town about 28 miles from Madrid is the home of the royal monastery and the royal panteón (cemetary). The weather was beautiful.

Ode to Cervantes

I've had Quijote on the brain... Every time I'm near Plaza de España, I can't help but think back to sophomore year, when my friends and I took a class on Don Quijote... The first photo is of Cervantes, a statue in Toledo. The second is of Plaza de España, the third is Quijote's one true love (as a peasant, not the way Quijote imagines her), and the fourth is of Quijote himself.

Weekend in Sevilla

We just got back from spending the weekend in Sevilla. I have here just a few shots... I have dozens... =)

Graffiti? Or art?

There is graffiti everywhere here... Some good, some definitely not-so-good. This image is of a partial design that my roommate and I found on Sunday. It's on a wall of one of the ramps that leads to an underground parking area.

The verdict on this one? Art.

El Rastro, take 2

We went back to El Rastro (click here for additional info) on Sunday (the giant flea market near metro stop La Latina). It is simply ginormous. I've been there 3 times now, and I have yet to see it all. I don't even know how big it is... This time, I bought some 2 watches, which shows remarkable restraint based on how much stuff you can buy there. This photo is taken from the bottom of a street, looking up. Look how many people there are.......

I recommend clicking on the image to expand it. Only then can you get the full affect and see all the people in the street! Remember, this is only a tiny snippet of the market.

Plaza de España

In Plaza de España, off of Gran Vía, there is a monument dedicated to Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra. He is the stone sculpture seated in the center. Below him are his creations, Don Quijote & Sancho Panza, and on either side, there is a representation of Don Quijote's one true love: one as the peasant woman Aldonza Lorenzo, and one as he imagines her, as the beautiful Dulcinea del Toboso.

Palacio Real

Home of the SGAE

Carnaval Parade