Hola de Madrid

Welcome to Madrid, Spain. Madrid was a very interesting city to be in.....from where we stayed, everything was centrally located. Most stuff was about a 20 minute walk from our Hostel. Never thought I would stay in a hostel, but it was pretty nice. Besides walking up the 5 flights of stairs, it was very clean, and she even had internet for the residents.

In Madrid there is so much history. From the Royal Palace, the Prado (Art Museum), Picasso exhibit, Spanish Civil Was, Napolean taking over Spain, and the Spanish way of life; its a wonderful country to visit. The Art was fabulous, never saw so many pictures of the crucifixion from so many different interpretations. But you must take your walking shoes, I think we walked at least 10 miles a day. Next time I go I will definitely learn more Spanish, they habla pequeño inglés.

Went to this monastry where the nuns baked fresh goods. We found it in a Rick Steves book. You can't see the nuns and every thing is done behind this wall. From there we spent a day in El Escorial to see another palace and the valley of the fallen (where 50,000 are buried from the Spanish Civil War). It was very interesting being in the old palace. They have many crypts where many former Kings and Queens and their kids are buried.

Tidbit about Library in the El Escorial Palace
They have some of the oldest books in history in that library. Back in the day, if you checked out a book wrong or did not bring it back. You were kicked out of the country...country as in Spain...not the library, or city, but the country.