Day 2: December 26 ... La Latina street views

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click on photo to enlarge

click on photo to enlarge

Day 2: December 26 ... lunch at Antonio Sanchez and the Spanish enigma

This restaurant in the La Latina neighbourhood was founded around 1830.  The current incarnation dates from the late 19th century.  This is among heritage properties that are protected by legislation that, according to the waiter, ... "prevents a nail from being driven into the wall without express authorization."

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I sat in the front of the restaurant where I took the following panorama photos.

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Fixed priced menu EUR 9.60

First course:  callos (garbanzo beans and tripe stew)

Second course:  solomillo de ternera (kind of like hamburgers, just juicier). served with a mushroom sauce and fries

wine/coffee

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click on photo to enlarge

This is rather heavy food, so how do most Spaniards stay height-weight proportional?  I guess the answer lies somewhere between walking (of which they do a lot!) and sitting.  In reference to the latter, I found it curious to see pedals installed in front of benches in recreational parks.  I wondered who would actually use them.  To my surprise ... lots of people, old and young, do pedal while they sit ... perhaps out of boredom or perhaps just because they're there to be used ... think about it!

Day 2: December 26 ... pics around my neighbourhood

My building is at the corner of the streets in these 2 photos.

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click on photo to enlarge

Day 2: December 26 ... the staircase and the light switch

Here's a pic of the skylight-illuminated staircase in my building.

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How many of you spotted the bicycle parked at the bottom?

Oh, and by the way, I did finally figure out how to turn on the light when there is no sun streaming through the skylight.

As I type this, somebody in an adjacent apartment is playing country western music ... 

Day 2: December 26 ... 3 days packed into one, an overview

If there is such a thing as magic, December 26 comes close.  In the La Latina neighbourhood, I had lunch (tripe, anyone?) in a restaurant that originally dates back to 1830 and whose current incarnation has the late 19th century written all over it.  In the Chueca neighbourhood, I discovered a mouth-watering food market similar in concept to the St. Lawrence Market in Toronto, but so true to Spain with its tapas, cured iberian hams, cheeses and olive oil.  It was a beautiful mild, sunny day, and I strolled some of the finest avenues and plazas of Madrid, avenues and plazas that rival those of other great European cities.  I couldn't resist stopping, lulled as I am by donuts, to have a Dunkin coffee and old-fashion glazed, and I sat in a lone chair on a busy pedestrian street and watched people pass by.  In the late afternoon, I sat in a park close to my apartment and captured the last rays of sun.   In the evening, I stopped in an eatery that would most appropriately be called a diner (I have this thing for diners), sat at the bar and had a Spanish egg and potato tortilla that I still can't forget hours later.  I put my metro pass to the test, crossed this city several times (perhaps I exaggerate a little), and miraculously made it back to my home base.  Then, as if the day weren't complete enough, I attended a dinner/flamenco event at 10 pm.  This was the icing on the cake, and what I saw unfold on a stage pretty well captured the magic and intensity of my day.  All of this ahead.

Day 2: December 26 ... the crack of dawn

I slept for 6 happy hours until 7 am ... got up and showered in what has to be the tiniest shower stall I've ever seen.  But, most important, the water was hot and plentiful.  I made a cup of tea, and I've been lying in bed in the company of Google Maps, as I plan the day ahead.

The current temperature is -1c, and the day ahead is forecast to be sunny.

Day 1: December 25 ... there's a fairy in the kitchen

The dish washing detergent is "Fairy" ... I just think that is kind of funny.