Time-traveling in Historic Madrid

Transported back in time!

This was the feeling when we set foot in Madrid, the capital of Spain, a former global superpower (conquistador or conqueror). The city is bustling with history. Everything we saw, the places we ate in, and the streets we walked on, teem with colorful past. Not that I'm complaining. We love stories that we can tell when we go back home.  

The iconic landmark, Plaza Mayor, is a crowd favorite
with its restaurant rows and various touristy fares.

We visited Madrid in the Summer --- not a smart move. The heat was too much, at 40 degrees Celsius daily. Coming from The Netherlands, the Spanish weather was too much to bear. So, when visiting Spain this season, be ready with a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, sunblock, and lots of water. 

We first noticed the country's terrain from the plane when it was about to land. It resembles most of California --- dry and brown (with few trees), and of course, sunny. Somehow some parts looked like the desert surface of Dubai or Qatar. 

Anyway, when you are finally on the ground, there's much more to experience. 

Arm yourself with basic Spanish words and expressions. Por favor (please), muchas gracias (thank you very much), si (yes) or no (for no), cuando (when), and donde (where), among others, could help you get by. 

Fortunately, I took three semesters of Spanish at my university. It was fun talking in slow and steady Spanish with the locals, who were very kind to identify that I'm a non-native speaker so they conversed gently with me. The lady at a souvenir kiosk praised my Spanish (albeit half-broken half-good) and asked which country I came from and where I learned my "muy bien" Espanol. The Uber driver also chatted in Espanol with me. My husband was just amused, listening and responding in English. Call me the bold and daring, haha! I enjoyed the talks, even when ordering in the restaurants or when buying something and inquiring.

We did not waste a minute. So after we settled, we headed to Chocolateria San Gines, one of the oldest churrerias in Madrid. It is a landmark and a haven for churros and chocolate lovers. They also have ice creams, which are best for the sweltering heat.

The cacao drink is so rich and the churros are not that oily and sweet.

This chocolateria has been serving good churros since 1894. 

If you want a hip place to try various Spanish cuisines, the Mercado San Miguel is a must-visit. However, don't go there if you are claustrophobic. It was always packed with people in the two times we dropped by. If you choose to go, don't fail to get a glass of Vermut. Refreshing!

It's Vermut cheers for the birthday of our Madrileno friend (in the pink shirt). 

Spain has a roster of well-known culinary names, such as tapas (the cocktail food that comes with wine or beer), paellas (rice dishes in grill pans), cochinillo (roasted young pork), jamon iberico (specialty ham served by a certified cortador or ham carver), and more. 

This was a wedding anniversary trip. We readied ourselves to gain a bit of weight that walking around the city could offset. Of course, on our list were a few reasonable rounds of Sangria (fruity cocktail), Vermut, red or white wine, and Spanish beer. My husband liked Spanish beer more than the Dutch beer. There I said it! When I sipped from his glass of the tap-sourced draft, I knew why. I wondered why the drinks did not taste like there was alcohol in them at all! We never felt tipsy, too. Suave!   

Never miss Sobrino de Botin, the oldest (earliest, per The Guinness Book of World Records) restaurant worldwide. Some people say it is overrated. But we liked it. My husband ordered the cochinillo, my friend got roasted lamb, and I had chicken with vegetables, for our pre-anniversary dinner. Even the salad was good. The serving was hefty, too. It's a bit pricey but for the taste, ambience, and quantity, it was all worth it! You must reserve your table before dining. 

Open since 1725.

We sampled the offerings from La Casa del Abuelo for our Madrileno friend's birthday dinner. The boys tried the Iberico ham while enjoying the busker's street sax music. Very European!  

Meat-carving since 1906. Not this carver though! Haha!

Our anniversary lunch had us eating at Taberna Corrientes in one of the rows of restaurants at Plaza Mayor. Great choice if you want to try reasonably-priced paellas and pastas. Oh, and this is where the hubby drank that great-tasting smooth Spanish beer from the tap! Yes, restaurants in Spain serve alcohol and cocktails any time of the day. Typical of Europe.

Superb paella negra with seafood.

Last but not least in Madrid's varied food scene, never forget Jollibee! It was actually our first lunch, right before going to San Gines. I'm not a fast-food fan but dining in every country where it is present is a treat. The famous Filipino food chain is located at Puerta del Sol (Gateway of the Sun) or Sol. 

Sol is where the Kilometer Zero marker is. This spot is significant because it is the geographical center of Spain, where all distances in the country are measured.  

This post may not have brought justice to the beauty we witnessed in Madrid. It may be all about our food trip. So I made a video about what I missed writing here, such as the Rizal monument, the Royal Palace, and the Retiro Park.

Then there's the short trip to Segovia, a thirty-minute train ride from Madrid. I'll have another post and video about it, too. 

Before I end, here are some tips:

1. Take the train. It's traditional and cheap (EUR11 for 10 city rides and you can share the train card with another person for every trip). I say traditional because some cars are new, and some routes have old creaking ones that still function well and are efficient. Don't worry. Again, it's part of history.

2. A debit or credit card is more useful than to carry cash around. Madrid is also a modern city and establishments accept cards or cash. But it is more convenient to use cards.

3. Don't let the mascots at Plaza Mayor or the Royal Palace fool you by offering photo-taking with them. Those are tourist traps and cost exorbitantly.

4. Tipping is optional. Some restaurants, like Botin, will add the service charge to the total amount. But most restaurants do not have additional charges and you are not obliged to pay tips. 

5. Agua de grifo or tap water is free. You can ask the waiter for a gratis instead of a branded on-the-menu drink. Restaurants are not strict if you bring or drink your bottled water inside the establishment.

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