MADRID!

This is Madrid.
Two weeks ago, my friend Scott and I decided to take a holiday to escape dark, wintry England...and we found ourselves in Spain! We spent two days taking in the sights, attempting to experience the essence of Madrid.

Meet Scott!
He is practicing the ancient Spanish tradition of 'piedra-equilibrio', or 'stone-balancing' Extra points are given for aesthetic fly-away poses...! Just kidding.The small back-streets of Madrid are lined with these large circular stones and Scott made it a personal quest to leap on as many as possible. He got pretty good at it.

Old Madrid

This is the famous 'Plaza Mayor' where loads of historical events took place, including bullfights, trials during the Inquisition, and a King was even executed here!

This woman was amazing! No, she is not a statue!! She was absolutely caked in mud and sat stock-still. If you put money in the little box at her feet she would move ever so slowly - like one of those statuettes in a music box - and bow or make some other gesture of thanks. I've never seen anything like it. 

TORO! This is another street character we had the pleasure of meeting. Yes I am a tourist! Olay!! 

Scott is featuring the 'Museum of Ham' where we ate our first meal...yum.

Keyhole view of the Royal Palace

 

Scott and I attended Catholic Mass at the amazing Santa Maria la Real de la Almudena Cathedral. We sat by this 60ish year old woman who insisted on speaking to us in Spanish, even after I told her I only spoke a little. When mass ended, she guided us to some old relics inside the cathedral, chattering away in Spanish the whole time. Scott and I exchanged desperate looks, as we had no idea what she was talking about. We just nodded our heads and inserted an occasional 'si, si.' Once I figured out her accent, she was a lot easier to understand and I realised she had been telling us about the Virgin Mary and festivals they have throughout the year to honour her. After making a few jokes at Scott's expense :), she reached into her pocket and pulled out two silver medallions with the Virgin Mary on them. And she insisted we keep them! I was touched by her generous gift. I bought a necklace chain for mine and, though I am not Catholic, I am wearing it right now!

Like two Hobbits, Scott and I strolled into St. Gines Chocolateria for our second breakfast on our second day in Spain. This is one of my favourite memories of Spain. Oh my goodness...hot chocolate will never be the same for me again. Forever more all other cups of cocoa will seem cheap imitations of the ultimate perfection I found here. This hot chocolate was deliciously thick and gooey. Many people 'drink' it by dipping in churros (fried donut-like sticks that I'm holding in my hand) and scooping out the contents. Yummy. It's worth a trip to Spain just for that! 

Scott and I went to the Museo del Prado (an art museum), which was amazing. Outside the museum, this dude with the hippest beard I ever saw in Spain, was personalising posters of flamanco dancers. Scott couldn't resist! 

Pretty Pictures

That night we went to watch some pure Spanish Flamanco dancing with some mates we met at our hostel. The dancing was amazing! 

Yup...Madrid was great fun! Goodbye!

Blessed With a Sari and Far From Sorry!

One of my dearest friends is Pushpa, a beautiful Indian who, like me, is in England to study. Pushpa lives with her amazing sister's little family who live permanently in England. Earlier this week, Pushpa invited me to her home, where I got to 'spend a night in India'! Hindu's believe that when guests come to their home (be they friend or enemy), they should be treated like God. Need I say what incredible hospitality I received? It was beautiful! For fun,Priti and Pushba got out their collection of traditional saris so that we could try them on. What to my absolute shock and delight, they generously gave me one! I still can scarcely believe it. The exquisite beadwork on the bodice is all handstitched. Ahh...I am converted to India.

This is the lovely Pushpa in her sari; Indians wears them with such grace (especially Pushpa and Priti!). I can hardly do mine justice! I cannot think of any article of clothing more flatteringly feminine. 

As if giving me a sari wasn't enough, they also gave me this little girl's outfit to send to my niece :) It is also hand stitched. Amazing, isn't it?! 

This is me with the pretty Priti who hosted me for two days. She is the most amazing cook! Priti and Pushpa made samosas, chapatis, lentil tortilla-like things, yoghurt drink, pizza, and both potato and tomato curry. Wow! So good! We also watched Bollywood soap operas on the tele. Loved it! Had the most amazing, memorable visit!!

The Ghost of Christmas Past...oooo! I still wish you a Happy Christmas Present!

Christmas 2006. Come and Gone! I spent it with Ted in London. This is Ted with his Christmas plunder. See the presents you gave him, family? 

Me with my Christmas plunder! Thanks!

 

Ted didn't have a Christmas tree, so I decorated his poinsettia! It was the best Christmas tree ever! I had way too much fun with the whole affair....