Written by: Alanya Telerski
I have finally made it to Madrid alongside 12 other Holy Cross students after experiencing an incredibly exhausting travel day. It is currently four in the afternoon on May 23rd and just 30 hours after touching down in Spain, I already feel familiar with my surroundings and am getting increasingly excited for the month ahead. But before we head off on trips all over Spain, I wanted to share some of the exciting places I have so far, all in the blocks immediately surrounding our hotel. Enjoy this log of what I was able to see in Madrid in an afternoon, on foot, while jet lagged.
Almost immediately after arriving in Spain, Professors Lokos and Iso took us on a walk exploring the neighborhood we are staying in. Our hotel is located on Plaza del Ángel and is mere meters from most of Madrid’s most popular sites. First, we walked by El Museo Nacional del Prado before walking through Parque del Retiro. I could have spent hours strolling through the countless well-manicured walkways all connected by a large fountain in the middle of the park. Retiro also has a beautiful man-made lake where you can rent a rowboat, surrounded by cafés and food stalls. We enjoyed the view of the lake while resting outside one of the cafés and listening to street performers.
After enjoying the park, we walked through Puerta del Sol: the city’s center for tourism and shopping. There we saw the famous statue, El Oso y el Madroño, a symbol of the resiliency and strength of Madrid’s industry and its locals. It was so exciting to begin learning about some of the most famous sites in Madrid from our passionate professors. In just one afternoon in Madrid, I was introduced to its cobblestone streets, self-assured cab drivers, and more tapas bars than I could count. I also met the strong Spain sunshine and expensive bottled water. But, more than anything, our first walk upon arriving in Spain was perfect for introducing us to the joy of taking a siesta. Now I understand the hype.
My initial observation of Madrid is that its history is just as alive as its people. Madrileños never sleep, and why would they? They live in a city of historic architecture, endless shopping options, and delicious food. I am excited to travel across Spain, but I am most excited to spend most of my month exploring what Madrid has to offer. I feel very lucky to be experiencing the joy that local Madrileños feel every day, even if I can only experience it for a month.