MADRID

Arriving in Madrid about 3pm we find ourselves a parking spot very close to Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, the home ground of Real Madrid. Our excitement builds as we walk around the general area stopping in to Starbucks for a drink and rest then to our amazement walk back out into a thunderstorm. It is not supposed to rain on this special day and luckily it all dried up in time for game preparations.

We joined the throng of people in the closed streets waiting for the approach of the players. A quick glimpse of the bus carrying the hero’s is all you get but still part of the atmosphere. Eventually we are allowed into the ground and find our seats, perfect. They are in the second tier, southeast corner, and perfect distance with a fantastic aspect on the game even though they are not in the center.

The seats start to fill and by game time the ground is electric. The die hard cheer squad set up behind the goal in front of us and begin the drumming and singing that does not cease until the end of the game, save for a well earned break at half time. They must all lose their voices for a week.

Along with the constant blowing of horns by nearly every child there, one of whom sat in front of us, there is never a quiet moment. It is fabulous to just be amongst it. It was a one sided game with Real winning 4-0. Great goals and lots of near misses and an atmosphere everyone should experience.

We followed up the game experience with a tour of the stadium the following morning another fabulous experience. We spent ages in the “Best Club Ever Room”. Real Madrid was awarded the title of “Best Team of the Century” for achieving the most wins of any club. The trophies are extraordinary, the archives of old footage, the old boots, balls and strips, all out of this world. We visited the change rooms, the Presidential Box (disappointing), the Press Room, the player’s bench and the pitch entering through the players tunnel, all fantastic and the perfect way to end our Real Madrid experience.

The day had only just begun as we started to explore Madrid taking in a couple of exhibitions at the Caixa Forum, one a Pixar tribute with models and sketches that eventuated into the amazing movies from these animation experts. So much fun! Another a photographic display of black and white photos from the South Americas, Indonesia, Africa and Russia showing people and sights of such beauty.

We spent an hour in the Museo del Prado where we saw more paintings by Goya, Velaquez, El Greco, Rembrandt, Titian, and Van Dyck, not long enough but closing time was on us. Then strolled through the Parque del Buen Retiro and into the Crystal Palace (Palicio del Cristal). It was lovely to share this space with the locals, reading in rocking chairs. A perfect end to the weekend that left us shattered, but exhilarated.

Monday morning and we set off to the Palacio Real (Royal Palace). WOW. We thought we had seen amazing Palaces along the way, Versailles for example, but this was out of the ballpark. Beyond magnificent! The decoration was exquisite and truly something that can’t be missed. It’s such a shame they are stingy and won’t let you take photos here, a fact that was killing Georgia the whole time here!

As I turned and caught the eye of a fellow tourist we exclaimed to each other “Amazing”. This was the beginning of yet another friendship. This American couple from Washington became instant friends as we shared the wonder of the Palace. We had not talked enough so moved on to lunch and then we were generously invited to return to their apartment overlooking the Plaza Mayor, what a perfect spot to stay! We sat and talked of numerous things taking in all the advice they could give us. They have travelled and lived all over the world and have a wealth of knowledge. They lived and travelled in Australia for six months part of which was an outback tour for 26 days. I think that because they had experienced our outback by camping they knew what we needed during our present travels. We were treated to the use of their spare bathroom! A shower like no other that we came out of looking so different and feeling fantastic. We are so grateful to our new friends Kathy and Dick for this opportunity. Again we have exchanged details and will be seeing them in Washington where hometown knowledge will surely benefit us.

As you can tell we have taken in so much in the last weeks, seen so much and met amazing people that will be in our lives forever. Once again we are pinching ourselves, what an adventure!

Photos can be found on our Facebook page in the album MADRID