Madrid, Spain

After my stop in Atlanta (part 1 & part 2), I continued on to Madrid, Spain.  I was excited and nervous as this was my first trip to Europe and I had no idea what to expect.  The purpose of my trip was kind of a mixture of business and pleasure.  I was headed there to see about possibly taking a teaching job in the fall of 2014 as well as helping out with the mission team and the church in Madrid.  I wanted to see essentially if this was a place I could envision myself living.  As the end of the long plane ride drew closer, I couldn’t peel my face away from the window as the plane passed over the beautiful terrain that was Spain.

I got to spend several days exploring this incredible city and I loved every minute of it.  Below: Mercado de San Miguel – I loved this place.  It kind of reminded me of Quincy Market in Boston… only classier and more upscale European.  I could’ve stayed in there for hours.

Below:  Origen de las carreteras radiales – all streets in Spain are said to go out from this point which can be found at ‘Sol’.

Below: I hopped on the Madrid City Tour bus with my friends Tyson and Sandra one of the days that I was there – it’s a great way to see a lot of the sights in the city!

Below: In Plaza Mayor we found where Spider Man retired and grew a beer belly!  Hahhahaa…

Below: The Bocadillos de Calamares (calamari sandwich) are a must-try while you are in Madrid.  I was skeptical at first, but they are deliciously unhealthy and yummy.

Everywhere you turn in Madrid the buildings are simply exquisite…

Below: While touring around the city, I stopped at the Real Jardin Botanico (the botanical garden) to walk around, to pray and just have some quiet time.  The sun was setting so the light wasn’t ideal for photos – which then just allowed me to put my camera away for a little bit and enjoy the moment and be present. 

Below:  Walking around with Tyson and Susana – they got engaged a few days after I left Madrid!  Congratulations to you two!!

Below:  Hanging out with some of the singles and the campus students from the Madrid Church

Below:  After lunch, we all headed to Susana’s place for coffee, tea & cookies – it was so fun!

Later, I got to experience the amazingness of the meat market inside the supermarket.  And was nearly thrown out by a police office for taking pictures.  Not entirely sure why.

Anywhere you go in Madrid you can find legs of ham hanging on the walls and ceilings to dry and cure.  This meat is soo tasty – full of flaver and super salty.  It’s served for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks as ham sandwich on white bread roll.

Below: Marjorie and Manuel had a few of us over for dinner one night at their flat.  The balcony has a gorgeous view and we hung out and watched the sunset.  It was so peaceful and they are an incredible couple!

Below:  Their baby boy is the sweetest!

Below:  I went to ‘El Rastro’ on Sunday with my friend Carolina.  It’s basically a giant flea market and it only happens on Sunday for a couple of hours.  

Below:  Typical Spanish food, Tapa de Tortilla de patata @ Txirimiri, La Latina – it was SOOOO GOOD!

San Gines – Best spot for churros! Since 1894!

Below:  Tapas for dinner!  So yummy!

I knew nothing about bull-fighting prior to my visit – but I had a hunch that I didn’t want to go to a bull fight.  Still, I was intrigued and so I took a tour through the Plaza de Toro or Las Ventas, Madrid’s largest bull-fighting stadium.  It was incredible to walk through and learn more about the history and tradition of it all and how it plays an integral roll in the cultural history.

Las Ventas was built in 1931 and is considered one of Spain’s most beautiful bullrings.  Inside the arena – bull fights only happen on Sundays.  Below is a panoramic view of the ‘tendidos’ (the stands)

My last day in Madrid some friends from Boston had just flown in – Cash and Maria McHargue and Doug Arthur, so we all met up and did a little bit of sightseeing and grabbed dinner and talked.  It was so such an encouragement getting to spend time with them – I felt like even though I’m not in Boston, I got to enjoy a little bit of ‘home’ in Madrid!  Cash & Maria have since decided to move to Spain in the summer of 2014 to lead the Madrid Church and they are looking for people to join them!  Check out the facebook group or the PAGE if you’re interested!

Juan and Olga are currently leading the church in Madrid and they are an amazing couple with big hearts that love God and his kingdom.  I felt so honored to be able to stay with them for a few days, to talk with them and also to get to know their daughters a little bit.  Each one of them is overflowing with intelligence, joy and love.

Below:  El Retiro – Parque de Madrid – this is the big park in Madrid, and it’s beautiful!

Overall, it was an amazing week in Madrid and I hope to return!