Jamon, Mcdonalds, Chocolate, And Bunuelos!

Going to Madrid the first time I had no idea what to expect of the food. I knew they did the whole Tapas thing, But I had no idea what, "Tapas" even meant. I will admit I am a little naive and thought that Spanish food would be similar to Mexican cooking. And it's in no way the same. In the grocery stores there, they have a special section for "mexican cusine" filled with re fried beans, tortillas, and tacos. 
The first night we went in search of some Spanish treats. After going around Puerta de Sol and looking at numerous restaurants a cafes, we tried the first Tapas bar. We had no clue what to do. I did read in my Spain guide book I brought that Tapas is small portions of different foods. Like a appetizer. You sit at the bar and wait for the tapas to be brought out. Some bars have free tapas treat if you buy a drink. Others you pay maybe a Euro per treat. Well... I did not understand how to even ask to get a tapas. Its like a secret code, and you have to just know. Don't ask. The locals did not want to help you figure out the Tapas way of life. if you don't know how to even start, just leave. So, after going in two different bars and failing miserably with e tapas circus. We ended up at the cafe/ semi fast food. I got bad/overpriced pasta.  After the first night I was so discouraged about the food in Madrid. I started thinking that I might be living off bread and water. You can't go wrong with bread and water, no mater what country your in. But after a good nights rest we stared out on a new foot.
McDonald's
By our hotel there was a McDonald's. I know people probably think that your In a foreign country, why go to McDonald's?? Well I love visiting McDonald in other countries. Everyone is so different. So for breakfast we tried it out. While using my Mexican Spanish ,ordered a egg mcmuffin and Cafe con Leche. They also have a amazing sausage mcmuffin. The sausage has a chorizo type flavor. I loved there breakfast!! Very yummy and the egg is made fresh! Not a weird premade egg circle that I normally expect when I got to McDonald.
Another crazy Spanish McDonald's tradition I found was they serve beer there! On tap! Very random I know. I would sit there looking at the people with white cups and a beer logo on it and I was like "OMG is McDonald's serving beer now??" Oh yeah go to Mac D's and get wasted! That's my kinda night!

Panadería off Calle de Ventura Rodríguez By Hotel Mercure plaza de Espana

Just ten feet from Our hotel was the cutest neighborhood bakery. Its only big enough for two customers to fit in at a time. They had the best pastry treats and breads! Little Bunuelos (Bunuelos are doughnut like treats that are round and normally filled with chocolate/vuinella or cafe cream.) and churros. You can also get a huge water bottle for one Euro! Great deal. I would go every morning and load up on water and sweet carb filled treats!

San Miguel Market

This is the hot spot to go for tapas! It's like a food court in the way it has different carts/stands set up with food. It's indoors and very nice. A upscale food court. You wait in line, or take a number and jump to it when your called. They have everything from Olives to Mexican tapas. My favorites were the cheese or Queso stand with cheese from Spain and all over Europe. You pick out your favorite cheese and you get a slice of Delicious bread. YES PLEASE! I also love the sugar cart as I call it filled with Bunuelos, Ice cream, Churros and of course... the Chocolate Drink. you get this hot chocolate wannabe drink and order a churro to dip in and your set. The Chocolate drink is pure melted chocolate. that you drink.. straight. Its super sweet and strong at first but so very good!  I also had to get a couple quiches while I was there to. I went back to this market every afternoon. Hey, you find something you like why not stick with it. Finding a table is a game that after a couple hours I mastered. There are only long five tables. And people are like vultures waiting for a seat to be open. You have to stand watch for one seat to open. And most likely you will sit with other people. Which is nice sometimes. Meet new people! This is defiantly a place I dream about at night. That creamy cheese and bread and sugary treats!!! Ok I'm hungry now!

Thai Restaurant by Plaza De Espana

I love This place!! The Atmosphere, the food, the people. Everything was perfect!

A special place in my heart.. Madrid, España!

I went to Madrid in October of 2010. I spent a week there. I also did a day trip to Segovia. Madrid is different then I expected. It's full of culture, hip people and great food. Madrid has a calm feeling about it. I always feel like cites have their own moods. Their own feelings and heart. Madrid mood was calm, cool, and collected. Not too much effort to be hip, it just is.
It is also oddly enough, a romantic city. Everyone in Madrid is either in love or in the process of being in love or thinking about making love. Everyone was a couple. Holding hands, kissing. And no one cares about PDA being awkward. They are all for it. It's kind of charming in a way. The way these couples look at each other while walking to work, its heart warming.


 

The other surprising thing about Madrid was how they perceive fashion. All the girls wear black legging or tights with boots and jackets. EVERY FEMALE. It's almost a must if you to go to Madrid in the fall you must wear this outfit. Women there are not over accessorized, or trying to hard. It's effortless.

My Must sees Madrid!

Parque De Retiro

Retiro Park is a huge park in Madrid. It has a large lake. You can rent boats and have a fine afternoon paddling around with the family. There are people doing magic tricks in the streets, wannabe Mickey Mouse’s dressed up to get pictures with, and popcorn and candy vendors. I went on a Sunday, which was also Columbus Day. One surprising thing about Spain is that Columbus Day is a national holiday. Most businesses are closed. Which was weird because in America you don't even realize it Columbus Day till like the day is over and you go on Google and the homepage tells you! We decided to go to the Park that afternoon since everything was closed. Which was clearly everyone else’s idea as well. It was packed! It's the hot spot for families who wanted to escape to a wooded, green paradise in the concrete jungle of Madrid. It was such a peaceful escape, just sitting on the steps under the equestrian statue of King Alfonso XII. Being with the locals. Just watching how the locals interact with each other. And of course in Madrid fashion, seeing lots of couples renting row boats or holding hands while sitting in silence watching the sunset. I got a popcorn and coke, wonderful little afternoon park snack. There is also lots of monuments and historical buildings to look at. The park was originally created for the royal family, and you can tell that in all the beautiful statues and architecture made for royalty. I would 100% love to spend many more afternoons riding a bike or reading a book in this "parque." A nice change to my normal travel style. Just spending a afternoon not rushed to look at the next "must see" from TripAdvisor, but just "being."


Collecting rocks!



Chicos Playing a game!