San Isidro is the patron saint of Madrid. The festival is celebrated every May 15, and people wear their traditional garb. They are called chulapas.
This 115 foot tall aquaduct is one of the few and best remaining examples of Roman engineering.
Thankfully I was not driving, seeing as I can´t even navigate the one on Clearwater Beach.
Segovia is known for conchinillo, suckling pig that is regarded as a delicacy. It was quite good, though I felt bad for the little fellows.
This castle was the inspiration for Walt Disney's "Cindarella castle" in the theme parks
In Spain the birthday person takes his friends out instead of vice versa. Cliff took Luis' family, his friend Nikko and me out for a delicious paella meal, where we had three kinds of paella, including this one that actually featured noodles and this giant prawn.
There is another word for these buckets that I can't think of. The cars take people above the Caso de Campo, a huge park in the heart of Spain.
Luis is an architect and is working on transforming this building into apartments for tourists.
On Saturday we came across a group of artisans selling crafts in a square. If only I had room in my suitcase for these.
Cliff has a tradition of eating carrot cake cupcakes on his birthday each year. His friend Nikko baked this year's and brought them to the bar where we celebrated his day. Yum.
This is near the Prado, and right across from Starbucks. When Starbucks came here a few years ago everyone thought it would flop because the Spanish people are particular about their coffee, but it's a huge success and they are all over the city.
I went on International Museum Day, which meant eight zillion people were there because it was free.
Outside the Prado, where they have a HUGE collection of his work. There are about 8,600 pieces in the Prado collection, and only one third can be displayed at any one time.
This church (I can't remember the name) is next to the Prado, and I believe the only Gothic church in Madrid.
The Roman Emperor Hadria had a villa in Tivoli. This muse in the Prado lived there.
We had a yummy meal prepared by Luis' mom, followed by this dessert wine traditional to Spain.
I think it was the reflection of the sun, but Hugh Laurie looks a little demonic in this ad for tonic.
The Egyptian government donated this temple to Spain in 1968 after Spain helped it save some other monuments. The sister temple is at the Met in New York.