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

Retiro (take 3)

Sunset in Madrid

In Madrid

Day in Toledo

El Rastro

Today I visited El Rastro, the huge Sunday-only fleamarket in the La Latina area of Madrid. There are too many vendors to count, and hundreds, if not thousands, of shoppers. You can find everything from skirts to pashminas, thousands of pieces of jewelry, leather jackets and wallets, handmade items, lamp shades, cds and movies, electronics and art. It's really quite the experience. The market sprawls on, street after street, and it's quite easy to get lost in all of the madness. Before you go, set a budget, and when you get there, hold onto your purse and make sure your pockets are zipped shut. Pickpockets love the area.

(Here's a pic of one of the painted walls in the market area.)

Temple of Debod

In 1968, Spain helped Egypt to save the temples of Abu Simbel. In gratitude, Egypt built a replica of the Temple of Debod in Madrid. Pictured here are the two arches. There is a pool that surrounds the arches on three sides. In my photo you cannot see the actual temple, but a different view can be found here.

Palacio Real

Parque del Retiro (take 2)