1. Vacation Travel • Поездки

Spain (09.2011)

Two weeks in Spain - certainly not enough to take in or absorb all there is to see in the four cities we visited - Madrid, Alicante, Valencia & Barcelona with a day trip to Toledo. As always, we did too much, though our beach break in Alicante helped. It's easy to understand why Europeans love to vacation in Spain - fabulous weather, varied landscapes, history, culture & style.

Such striking architecture from the Medieval to the contemporary. Oh those Spanish masters - artists & architects - with their indelible contributions to civilization. Oh that sweeping history from the Romans to the great empire; and, yes, its tainted past filled with dictators & despots leading to the Inquisition, colonial cruelty, & the Civil War.

Spaniards certainly haven't lost their lust for life despite teetering on the edge of default. Their cities seem to never sleep with hordes of Spaniards & tourists wining & dining, and walking & talking until the wee hours of the morning. Glad we weren't there in high season as the crowds were a bit overwhelming even into early October. Each of the cities we visited could use another go-round, but of course, there are so many other Spanish cities to explore...

I have seen dawn and sunset on moors and windy hills, Coming in solemn beauty like slow old tunes of Spain... "Beauty" ~ John Edward Masefield
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Elevators at the Reina Sofia Art Museum.
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Elevators at the Reina Sofia Art Museum.

ИспанияSpainEspañarusurusu photographyMadridМадридReina Sofia Art Museum

  • Crowds enjoying the evening Plaza Santa Ana.
  • Dancing in the streets.
  • Ladies & their dogs people watching in Plaza Santa Ana.
  • Rowdy blue men making a scene on the streets of Madrid.
  • Restaurant "Ginger" table setting. We ate every meal outdoors.
  • Artichoke & jamon salad. Restaurant Ginger. (Madrid)
  • Lobby of the Paseo del Arte Hotel from the street at night.
  • A tired Susan in our hotel room.
  • Having a smoke break.
  • Interesting way to display potato chips. A dishful is inevitably served with drinks.
  • The Reina Sofia Art Museum - right across the street from our hotel.
  • Rustem on the steps of the Reina Sofia.
  • Elevators at the Reina Sofia Art Museum.
  • Reflections in the elevators of the Reina Sofia.
  • Elevator supportive spring at the Reina Sofia.
  • A living sculpture in front of the Reina Sofia Art Museum. I can see her bra strap :)
  • The Reina Sofia Art Museum - a fabulous collection & home of Guernica.
  • Contemporary sculpture in the courtyard of the Reina Sofia.
  • Detail of Man Ray's, 'Indestructible Object'. The Reina Sofia Art Museum, Madrid.
  • Art students at the Reina Sofia Art Museum.
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