Wrinkled Potatoes

I can honestly say that in the 4 nights and 4 days that I spent in Madrid, I did not once eat a ‘meal’. Other than toast and thick coffee I guess, the hostels complimentary breakfast. Not saying I didn’t eat food, I definitely ate food, a lot of it. I did try some new things and certainly enjoyed some of my favourite things. Desserts, pastries, olives, mussels, potatoes, bread, wrinkled potatoes, ham, croissants, bread, potato salad, sausages, bread and salmon were just a few of the dishes I sampled. However, I must say I skipped the anchovies on a couple things. My meals consisted of Tapas, served everywhere around the city.

I spent a few days with Holly, doing the typical touristy things and going to the Museo Nacional Centro De Arte Reina Sofia (Modern Art Gallery) during the free hours. On our second last night in the city we stumbled upon a small bar along a side street called ‘Argumosa’, and quickly became our favourite. We were the only two there, other than an elderly man playing the slot machine, and marked our spot in the middle of the bar. It was a pretty small place, with 2 men working in there, Renado and Kiki I believe… who didn’t speak any English but definitely fed Holly and I well. We ended up there again the following night on our way back from the gallery, and discovered ‘wrinkled potatoes’. 

English-Spanish phrase book in hand, we introduced ourselves, managed to get business cards, and a serving of the Argumosa specialty, Papas Arrugas (or wrinkled potatoes). Now, I have to tell you, I have never had potatoes like this before. If anyone reading has plans to go to Spain, and Madrid in particular, please take the time to go to the Argumosa and order Papas Arrugas, you will not be disappointed.

In addition to the excess of tapas at this local place, Holly introduced me to an amazingly unhealthy breakfast yesterday. Known as Chocolate Con Churros, it is a method of dipping deep fried dough sticks into a vat of melted, boiling, chocolate greatness. What a wonderful way to welcome the day, don’t you think? Now and then though, nearly clogged my insides. 

To sum up my excessive eating of no meals in Madrid, here is a quick recipe of a new favourite to help wash it all down:

Spanish Tinto de Verano or ‘Summer Red Wine’

·         1 part red wine (about 1/3 of glass)

·         1 part lime or lemon soda (7-up or Sprite)

·         Sugar (1 tbsp, or to desired amount. Bitter vs. too sweet)

·         3-5 slices of oranges to taste and garnish

·         And often a shot of either brandy or rum

Adios Madrid! Time for a real meal. 

shannon xx

Sun, 15 degrees? I'm thirsty!

 

Day 3 ish in Madrid and I am in love with this city. It is 15 degrees, sunny and full of life.


I mean, check out the view from the teeny balcony in my room! The narrow, pedestrian oriented streets and planter boxes are just incredible. I think why I love Madrid so much is because it is so pedestrian oriented.. you don't have to dodge cars like in Paris or drive for days to see anything like Canada!

 
So among all the people watching I have been accomplishing, I have also been discovering little places in all my wandering, such as this amazing used book market thing around the corner from the Prado and the Parque de Retiro. It is the whole street long and all used books. Of course in Spanish, but just so cool. So many book of famous Spanish painters and history stuff. Lots of great colour too, think thats what grabbed my attention!

The best days :)

So today, (January 12) I went with a girl I first met in Paris on a free walking tour of the city. It was 3 hours and to my surprise so worth it! I guess it was free, but I find tours tend to be way too long, and way too talkative about irrelevant information. Now this guy (works for New Europe Tours, I recommend!), was great. We got a lot of information, but all straightforward and very interesting! I now have a brief overview of Spain history, with some interesting facts about previous kings and queens and even saw where some famous playwrights lived. (Lope de Vega..1600's, if you don't know its ok, I didn't either)


Plan for this evening to go to another art museum, but one with a bit more modern collection, compared to the ancient works of Valazquez and Goya at the Prado yesterday. After this I am going with Holly (friend from Philly) for Drinks and Tapas. Yes, more tinto verano and tapas. Mmmm


Probaly one of the best things in Spain...
Tapas (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈtapas]) is the name of a wide variety of appetizers, or snacks, in Spanish cuisine. They may be cold (such as mixed olives and cheese) or warm (such as chopitos, which are battered, fried baby squid). 
So, the way it goes here in Spain, is you get food when you buy a drink. 


Can't say I've really had a full hot meal since I have been here... :S


Until next time, I will leave you with a little taste of what I hear walking through the park in the morning :)
Buenos Tardes! shannon xx


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Up5qSOBF9Z8&playnext=1&list=PL0EA41E81D7806B7B&index=5


(I didn't have a chance to listen before I picked this, hopefully its good! :P)

Tinto Verano? Si!

Made it to Madrid! After a painfully long night train (17 hours!) because of "problems" in Bordeaux, i'm here.

Now, I was told giving in paying to reserve a 'couchette' for these journeys was the way to go. I guess if your train train ride turns into 17 hours yes, but my oh my.. I have never felt more like a sardine in all my life. There were only 3/4 spots filled in our little cabin thingy, but with all the luggage, and personalities in there it was often hard to breath. I'm sure it would be a much better experience if you spoke the same language (even a few words) than the people in there, or were with someone else.

My first impressions of Madrid: alive. Here, it just feels like everyone is so relaxed, and loving life. (not quite as much as Jamaica) I find, after wandering through Madrid for a day, that it is a lot the same as Paris, but a heck of a lot easier to find your way around.

I've come up with this theory: People in Madrid are so happy and full of life because it is generally sunny, and they eat tapa's. While Parisians are cold and wet and always lost, so they get a little grumpy now and then. Just an idea. :P And don't take this wrong, I loved Paris! But I also really love the sunshine here.

It feels like Madrid (or maybe Spain) moves a little slower than everywhere else too. They eat breakfast later,  don't even think about lunch until 3 or 4, and then consider dinner around 9 or 10pm. I think its just because they are too busy enjoying the day... I guess. I don't know why anyone would wait so long for dinner! It is definitely taking time for me to adjust to these meal times, I find myself having some 5 meals today!

Today I just kind of wandered through the streets of Madrid, realizing people watching is probably one of my favourite things to do. There is this massive and beautiful park here, Parque del Retiro, I think I could spend all of my 4-5 days in Madrid here. It is so big, and so great! There are little pockets, with mazes and fountains, and big open plazas with large bodies of water, rowboats and eateries and I could go on and on! With the sun beating through the trees, I could just sit there for days.  Also went to the Prado today, mostly Spanish and Italian paintings, with a dash of Roman sculptures. Went through quick.. but it was beautiful of course.

As for tonight, possibly vino and tapas? Also, Tinto verano? think thats what its called... I went for lunch with a girl from Toronto yesterday and she introduced me to this wonderful concoction of red wine and lemonade. Ohh yummy, I cannot wait for some more!

So until again, Buenos Noches!
I will try and be a little more frequent this week in posting. :P

shannon xx

p.s Madrid has the second largest underground metro system in Europe, right behind London. Surprisingly, way easier to use than Paris. So organized I absolutely love it.