It is quite overcast and chilly here again today. The temperature stayed in the 30’s and 40’s. I know for my Pittsburgh family/friends that might seem warm as I understand you’ve had some very cold days. But I didn’t really come prepared for this kind of weather and I’ve been freezing. Broke down and bought a scarf, which made all the difference in the world for me. Plus I’ve been walking outside most of the day and night. I also learned, as I made my plans for the day, that on Mondays not much is open. So there wasn’t much reprieve from the cold.
Breakfast, as I had planned at La Bomba did not happen. I did however have soup for lunch outside - nothing to “write home about”. It was a chicken broth soup with an egg yolk in it. Actually, it wasn’t even all that flavorful. I was a bit disappointed.
This was my view for Lunch. And I considered getting the candied natural artichokes, but got the soup instead. Maybe I made a wrong choice. What do you think, candied artichokes anyone?
Dinner consisted of the much awaited for Spanish Omelette at La Buho (The Owl) - with Potatoes, Caramelized Onions, and Cheese, not sure what kind. It tasted a bit like Feta, but much more mild.
I’m not sure what they call the red sauce. I tried it thinking that it might be a marinara sauce. No, too much like ketchup, but not exactly. This one is a “mini size” and I could only eat half of it. I’m definitely going to learn how to make a Spanish Omelette!
The rest of the pictures are just architectural buildings that I took pictures of during my wanderings around the area. They aren’t necessarily buildings of note, but they sure are amazing. I’ve saved some specific ones with explanation at the end.
I don’t think this is a Catholic Church, but I couldn’t find more information about it. It’s called the Royal Oratory of the Knight of Grace.
You’d think that this building might be the Royal Palace where the monarchy live, but no, it’s actually just a government building. All I’ve been able to learn is that it was built somewhere between 1902-1905, but was inaugurated in 1919 as the headquarters for the Spanish Post Office. It’s amazing!!!!!!
In front of this building is the famous Fountain of Cibeles, built in 1782, the fountain depicts the Roman goddess of fertility and agriculture on a chariot pulled by two lions.
Police stand guard over the fountain now, as too many drunken Spaniards, celebrating a football victory have tended to climb it, drape it in scarves, and have broken pieces of the marble statue over the years. Evidently, during major matches, the fountain is completely boarded up.
One more statue of note. This one is by sculptor Antonio Navarro Santafe in 1967. It is called El Oslo y el Madrono - Statue of the Bear and the Strawberrry Tree. The original is at Puerta del Sol - one of Madrids many major squares. The original statue is made of bronze and stone, but there are replicas of it throughout the city. This is one of the replicas. It is the symbol that has been on Spains Coat of Arms of Madrid since the 13th Century.
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