Madrid, plus a rough itinerary

        Madrid was incredible! Alvaro´s father was such a gracious host. We went hiking, visited the Palacio Real (Royal Palace), Madrid Rio, El Prado, La Puerta del Sol and many parks, experienced ´la marcha´ (Spain´s infamous nightlife), and spent a day in nearby Segovia and El Escorial.

Skaters blur by in El Parque de Retiro

        Almost everywhere we went I could see how Spain is ahead of the curve environmentally, in everything from hygene to consumerism. Toilets are always designed to save water (every single one I used had #1 and #2 flush settings :P), while as a shopper you actually have to pay for plastic disposable bags; everyone had their own reusable ones. Here, policy has done great things. In the US, if you actually use your resuable shopping bag at the grocery store, you´re inevitably labelled an environmentalist. But here, because of this decision, bringing your own bag is the more economical choice, too. You bring your own because is makes monetary sense, not just environmental sense, thereby prodding more people to save plastic and thus petroleum.

Recycling in a metro station

      


        The layout of the city was at once beautiful and sustainable. The Rio Madrid Project put a riverside highway underground and built a pedestrian- & cyclist- friendly park on top. Telephone cables and other unsightly infrastructure are beneath your feet, too, instead of cris-crossing the skyline and getting tangled in the numerous trees (apparently, Madrid boasts the most tree-lined streets in all of Europe).

One of many peaceful streets

       All in all, the air was clean, the parks green, the people passionate & friendly (and very patient with my Spanish), and the food fresh, meaty, and mouth-watering. ¡Viva Madrid!

A pool in Las Piedras

Incredible paella made by Alvaro (traditional Spanish dish with chicken, pork, seafood, veggies, & rice)

Biking the Rio

Fountain fun at the Rio

*        *        *        *       *

Below is a rough itinerary for the rest of our trip; it´s constantly having to be adjusted!

Benidorm: now until Wednesday, Sept. 19

Barcelona: September 19-24

Ibiza: 24-26

Paris: 27- October 1

Milan: 1-4

Rome: 4-10

Venice: 10-14

Florence & Pisa: 14-17

Nice & Monaco: 17-21

San Sebastian: 21-25

Madrid: 25-29