Madrid - My Majesty! (Part 1)

• Why should I visit Madrid?

It’s hard to explain why I visited Madrid; when arrived at Tarragona, near Barcelona, for my one year exchange, many friends advised me against visiting Madrid, they said Barcelona is better than Madrid. To compare, Barcelona is more modern, international than Madrid and people in Barcelona are also friendlier.

However, I followed my heart, to me, new cities are like a chocolate box, you never know what you’re gonna get. I am always excited by unexpected surprises and I like to explore new things in new places. And Madrid, the ancient capital of Spain should be visited without any doubt!

"Should not follow other advices, just be true to yourself, then you will not regret. "

• I fly from Cologne Airport, Germany to Madrid.

From above, Madrid gave me a first impression as a mountainous capital, from the plane window I could see hills, one after one, stretch down to the horizon.

In addition to the relief and peace of coming back to Spain after a long journey through four countries: Sweden, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, I also feel revitalized to see the Mediterranean sunshine. I landed at the Madrid airport, instead of hurrying for sightseeing and trying not to waste any moment as I did in the expensive North Europe, I was leisurely at Madrid airport.

• From Madrid airport to the city centre

After about half an hour finding a way to get out of the airport, I arrived at the metro station to buy tickets to the city, unlike modern compact system of the Nordic, Southern Europe is ancient yet comfortable, I bought a metro ticket from a ticket-box which looks like literally a box, and I quickly got on the metro into the city.

• Madrid metro system - old but very spanish

Just as I was told, the Madrid system looks even older than the one of Barcelona, from the train station to the public transport system, especially the Madrid airport was built in the 1970s and still works well. Considering the recent economic crisis in Spain, redevelopment of modern systems is not very necessary.

On the metro into the city, many immigrants from South America, some sexy girls were talking and laughing loudly, some old people also talked excitedly. The atmosphere is casual with a sprightly Spanish essence, such a scene can hardly be found in the "cold" countries such as Germany or France, where you can only see everybody holding a book or magazine, the glances just swing between pages and the wristwatches, say it is perfectly silent.

• Spanish world or Spanish wall

The metro stopped at a station, looking out through the window, I saw colorful walls decorated by dozens of Latin American countries’ flags and their friendly people.

It could be said that the great legacy that the Spanish empire left behind was a unique South American cultural group that share the common Spanish language.

It’s the language that created a bond for a special world, the spanish world.

• My first impression in Puerta del Sol

The first place I can go to is no other place than the Puerta del Sol, which is the Gate of the sun. This is the heart of the city, the heart of Madrid and the whole of Spain marked by the zero kilometre landmark. All Madrid meteorological lines and roads begin from this milestone.

• A bear eating 12 famous grapes

There is also bear statues eating 12 famous grapes, depicting the customs of eating twelve different kinds of fruit at New Year ’s Eve. My friend Biel says that every year people gather to celebrate the New Year and praise each other, like Time Square in New York. "The Spanish have custom countdown in the form of eating grapes, each countdown count corresponds to a grape, so much time not even chewing, then have to put another fruit into the mouth, into and out.

At the time of the bell, everyone was swollen by the grapes.

• Spanish late habit

Moreover, Spaniards are well-known for their late habits: eating late, going late and sleeping late. Previously, in Barcelona, I was well aware of it when I was invited to dinner at a friend's house and the dinner really only started at 1 am while I was nodding and still trying to open my eyes to eat with permission in the polite way. Still, no one can compare with Madrid in terms of eating and enjoying life to the point of birth, writer Hemingway once said: "In Madrid, no one went to bed if they have not caught the night".

• Madrid nightlife

Madrid at night is really good with countless gourmet shops. Restaurants and bars bustle guests in and out. The squares are shimmering with all the lights that make the visitors can not sleep, but eagerly follow the melody of the music, of the flamenco dances, fascinating food flavors spread radiate and the pace of life is hustling only when the night.

The Italians have the phrase "every road leading to Rome" is not too fancy to assume that in Madrid, all roads lead to the Sun Gate. Because the Gate of the Sun connects with the busiest boulevards, it is always crowded with crowded people. Bus routes, subway stations also rushed to join the transfer here. At the heart of the building is the Casa de Correos, the headquarters of the city council, which houses a huge clock that rings only once a year during the New Year's Eve.

From Puerta del Sol I managed to find my hostel, the hostel is very nice, but noisy because it had an underground bar.

Living Cat's hostel in Madrid (highly recommended to Madrid).

Madrid – A Spanish beauty!

The best part of Madrid is the Spanish culture background, which is characterizzed by the long list of Spanish restaurants with eye caching decoration that stirs every visitor.

All the colorful restaurants and souvenir shops are all concentrated in Plaza de Mayor, a large square built almost 400 years ago, when the capital Madrid got expanded, and the construction of a new square that is larger and farther from noise for to the palace is necessary.

• Plaza Mayor

Plaza Mayor is the main square in Madrid with the statue of King Felipe III in the center, the square with red and orange colors, in the night when the light is on, you will be overwhelmed by the bright red orange, which is typical of the noble aristocracy of the Kingdom of Spain.

When I arrived at Plaza Mayor, I was astonished by its beauty. This is a square with a large rectangular campus, used to be a marketplace, trading and holding bullfighting in the nineteenth century with a capacity of up to 50, 000 people. Today, like other squares in the country and similar squares in Italy, Plaza Mayor is only for strolling and open cultural activities such as concerts and dance

Come here on a sunny day or a sleepless summer night, you can enjoy the aromatic coffee cups and dreamyly listening to the melodious music of the street musicians playing nearby and watching. Pavement artists are painting for visitors who want to celebrate with this glamorous yet enchanting city.

What an ideal place to be lazy and forget about everything else in life.

In addition to admiring the pristine beauty of Plaza de Mayor is almost 400 years old, I made an epic pose here.

Folks back home, I got a job in Spain. The "picador" (bullfighter) is not only stout but also has big dick.

It’s just some spots in Plaza de Mayor but the cultural characteristics of the Spain, which is not really evident in Barcelona.

• San Miguel Food Market

It is not far away from the San Miguel food market.

You can find almost all items from "Tapas", main dishes to ice cream, drinks... etc. Characteristic of Madrid here. Just like a food court, each small shop sells one or several items and has a central shared area for people to share. However, if you want to sit in it you should avoid the peak time (13h30-15h) because the space is quite tight enough, or you can completely order and take away. I tried "Empanada" here, not as good as Vietnamese pillow cake haha, it has a curly type but not bad.

Madrid - The Majesty of the Empire.

As a student who has studied 10 months in Spain, one of my hobbies is to learn about the history of Spain.

• Spain is different from my country, Vietnam.

Spain still has a king and royal family, most of the people still support the monarchy, so the royal family has a lot of power and political influence in Spain.

• Royal Palace of Madrid - The White Palace

  

  

  

Madrid Royal Palace in white. White is also the dominant color of many buildings in Madrid. The use of white in construction reduces heat radiation, a kind of natural conditioner.

The Royal Palace of Madrid is not as big as the Palace of Versailles in Paris or the Vienna Schonbrunn palace, but historically it was the world's most important power center in the 16th and 17th centuries when Spanish Empire still got mighty power, the first empire on which the sun never sets.

I am immersed in the grandeur and splendor of the former Royal Family of Spain.

The Royal Palace of Spain (Palacio Real) is one of the largest palaces in Western Europe. The palace is renowned for its lavish interiors and astonishing collections of furniture, artwork, weapons, armor and accessories.

• Most expensive audio guide equipment in Europe

  

I was surprised by the audio guide of the Spanish royal palace. Telling the truth, I think Spain, compared to many European countries, is not so rich, so I could not doubt the audio guide of the royal palace is so modern and expensive.

I walked up to 70 steps of the Grand Staircase and through the elaborately decorated banquet and function rooms. The rooms are furnished under the direction of King Carlos III and are some of the most impressive rooms in Europe. I was also allowed into the king's apartment, where visitors would find lavish furnishings and masterpieces of art.

Then I moved to the Throne Room to see one of the finest murals of Giambattista Tiepolo, the Glory of Spain, as well as decorative chandeliers, mirrors and tapestries.

• The mighty royal family in 16th century

Especially in 1519, King Carlos I of Spain ascended the throne as the heir of four dynasties in Europe, King Carlos I of Spain was then at the same time the Emperor Of the Holy Roman Empire (King of the Austro-Hungarian Empire), King of Germany, and King of Italy, King of the Netherlands.

European territory except for France, was under the rule of King Carlos I of Spain until 1556, when King Carlos abdicated and the land was subdivided (the issue of royal relations in Europe is quite complicated, I will write an article on this topic later).

• Madrid - the city of nightlife.

I feel the rhythm of Madrid's hustle and bustle, just like Hanoi of Vietnam, in the day time people are busy with work in agencies and offices. Just in the evening the capital city started to get exciting.

Gran Via is a bustling shopping center with nightlife. Like many places in Madrid, this road honors the past while still breathing the future: luxury fashion boutiques and international brands are housed in some of the most iconic heritage buildings.

The shops along Gran Vía Street prove the harmonious combination of styles and products.

I walked along the street and realized the local fashion stores were next to major international chains like H & M and Levi's. El Corte Inglés and a Real Madrid grocery store are two of Spain's top brands. In addition, I also saw in the Gran Via there are a number of theaters, cinemaxs, bars and clubs, giving the nickname "street of the dreams" of Madrid.

In general, if you like the experience of nightlife in Madrid, I recommend you come here only during the day for shopping, then linger for a meal, watch the show and get into the exciting atmosphere on the dance floor until the next morning.

I continue down the street, I was overwhelmed by the brilliant signs and banners of a modern shopping mall. Take a look and you will see Gran Via with the look of the early 20th century.

Casa del Ayuntamiento of Madrid used to be the city hall of the city from 1696 to 2007. The work was designed by the famous architect Juan Gómez de Mora in 1640 but not until 1696 was completed, shortly after his death. The building occupies the Plaza de la Villa in one of Madrid's oldest neighborhoods, Los Austrias.

I wander the square and admire the elaborate façade of the building and the statue of Admiral Álvaro de Bazán in the square in front. You will notice two separate paths leading to the Ayuntamiento. For centuries, a passage into the administrative area, while the remaining passageway was the entrance to the prison operating in half the building for decades.

I was in this area for 2 to 3 hours mainly to wait for sunset to take this beautiful photo.

That time I was lucky to drop by on Monday night, and you know later that I was allowed to participate in a free furniture tour. Excursions in both Spanish and English and give me a glimpse of the four most impressive rooms of the building.

The beauty of sparkling lights on the streets, nightly street performances, bars, nightclubs, fashion shows, and theaters all over the city.

• In conclusion

To finish the first part of the story of Madrid, I show you a gift, from a stranger, I simply praised his beautiful pictures, and this was his gift to me: A snapshot of his Fujifilm Instax Mini. Sometimes simple gestures lead to something very meaningful.

It was such a great memory in Madrid that I cannot forget, I was just walking around the garden between the Royal Palace of Madrid, then I saw a guy taking a photo with his friend.

Actually, he had chose a very good location from that having a great view over garden.

Then I just complimented him.

He took me a photo with his camera and then he gave me the photo.

I said it was such a special present for me.

Great thing! I had to say that.

Thank you!

Photo gallery