Gallery » EUROPE/AFRICA/ MIDDLE EAST » Round the World 2019 - Europe » Madrid 2019 » Tue, 6 Aug: Plaza Mayor
Tue, 6 Aug: Today we got up very early (5:30A; ugh!) for two reasons. First, we planned on going to see the Fiesta de San Cayetano at 11:00A at Plaza General Vara del Rey. Also, we knew Tarek was working the nightshift which ended at 7:00A and we wanted an opportunity to say goodbye to him for this year since he’s off tomorrow and then will be leaving to return to his home in Jerba for vacation. We made it downstairs at 6:30A and Tarek was definitely surprised to see us. We exchanged farewells and wished each other safe journeys. Then we had a very light breakfast due to the early hour.
At 8:00A, we left the hotel to walk to the Alameda de Osuna metro station. We were surprised at how many people were out on the streets. Most were walking away from the metro to catch buses and/or walk to work. The metro was not crowded going in so we had seats the entire trip until we got off at the La Latina station. We originally walked the wrong direction of Calle de Toledo but that’s okay because we got some nice photographs of the Plaza Mayor without the normal tourist crowds. As we left the Plaza, Lindy began asking if anyone knew where to find Calle de Lopez Silva, the street leading to Plaza General Vara del Rey. Eventually a woman in a grocery store directed us to return past La Latina metro and look for the third street on the left. We followed her directions and success! We arrived at the Plaza expecting to see a lot of activity but all that was occurring was a beer garden being set up along with lighting. There was a stage at one end but nothing else. We watched for a bit and then Lindy stopped a local woman and asked what was going on. That woman confirmed that we were in the correct location but she had no idea when the festivities would begin. She said there would be lots of music and dancing but she thought it wouldn’t occur until late afternoon. She suggested that we walk down the street to shop and/or see the local church. We walked around the corner and realized we had explored this area many times in the past. It’s a hilly, steep area with lots of stores and coffee houses. The apartment buildings are lovely with original facades (we believe the interiors have all been refurbished). It is a gorgeous place for a stroll but not as much so in 35C heat! So, we retraced our steps back to the Plaza and then eventually returned to La Latina metro to catch the metro back to Alameda de Osuna. We returned to the hotel in early afternoon and did business work until it was time to enjoy the evening happy hour.
