A Morning in Madrid

So I went walking in Madrid the other day. I had a few errands to attend to.

I'll skip one picture that would give too big a clue about something involving an upcoming birthday.

Dropped some shoes off to be fixed. Not in one of those keys, shoes, door openers franchise places - since that type of shop declined to attempt to fix these shoes (whose insides were shot). I had to find a real artisan type shoe repair store; of which there are not many remaining.


Stopped by to browse in a knife store (we chefs like/love knives)

They even have swords in the window & I obviously need a polarizing filter (it was a nice sunny day)

Stopped for a cafe con leche (coffee & milk) with a croissant in a typical cafe (most streets have 2 or 3 of them; I wonder how they all stay in business).

Cruised down to the Plaza Mayor. Passing by the spot where the Spanish Resistance stood up to Napolean's army (& failed - I believe). It was built in 1617 or so and restored in 1790. So sort of old. People actually live in the apartments overlooking the plaza.

This is/was the royal bakery.

This is the place where I first ate dinner and shared/split plates of food with my S.O. - before we knew that we were to become an "item". Founded in 1642; it's a newish place...

...compared to Botin (just up the street) which is the oldest restaurant in the world (since 1500 or thereabouts).


A little further down the street I ran across a ¡ cork shop ! Just cork.


This is a picture through the front glass (they were closed for lunch). All cork all the time.

I just love little (or big) specialty shops. There's usually someone behind the counter who's enthusiastic and knowledgable about their trade. Few and far between these days.

And finally a shot of part of the construction surrounding Madrid. Literally the town is circled by construction projects. This one is the south part of the ring road that circles the center of town. They're putting an 6 lane highway underground and are going to let the old river flow above - like it used to before they build the ring road back in the 60s. Yes, they're burying the road. A great idea - but has made quite a mess while they're doing it.