Up and out early to mosey along the mostly deserted streets of the central city. Coffee at a sidewalk cafe then back into explore mode. Given the numerous alleys, curved narrow streets, broad boulevards, pedestrian walkways and ubiquitous wrought iron balconies it makes one realize how sterile and square edged our “tourist areas” are at home.
The Mercat de La Boqueria is the famous market in central Madrid. Like its brethren in Barcelona it is a cornucopia of sights, sounds and smells.
A specialty of the region is Jamón Ibérico de Bellota, the most expensive ham in the world with prices ranging over €500 per kilo. Slightly lesser expensive options were on display here. We passed.
After the market we retrieved our luggage and decided to walk to the train station, 45 minutes away, so we could see more sights along the way.
Then it was onto the high speed train to Madrid. And I do mean high speed!
Our orientation to Madrid was of two extremes. The taxi system was efficient to a fault with hundreds of people accommodated in minutes. Then, however, we got stuck in Madrid traffic, in a tunnel, for over 1/2 hour. Eventually we abandoned the taxi and walked the last mile.
The light was fading quickly as we walked down from the hotel to Opera Square and the Royal Palace (Palacio Real de Madrid).
Another great dinner in a sidewalk cafe and a post meal stroll ended the day.
Tomorrow, the bicycles! Yikes.
The Bennetts On Tour 