A short background: This is one of several posts about my first trip to Madrid and Morocco. I found Art Safari online, and am I glad I did! This company plans trips for artists. They worked closely with me and planned every detail, with an end result of perfection. I met some great people, who now feel like old friends, enjoyed my art lessons from Karen and found the perfect blend of interacting with others and free time to myself, learning new things and relaxing, going and not going. For me, a nearly perfect vacation!
Art Safari is based in England, but they are planning a trip to NYC in January, if you’d like to meet a few of the team!
Now, on to my story…In my short time in Madrid (only 1.5 days), I couldn’t do the city justice, although not for lack of trying. The architecture was divine, I could have sat and just sketched buildings!
Bara Cosmetics building- view from my hotel window
After my morning arrival, I rested in my room for a bit, then took off exploring. First strolled down Gran Via and over to Puerta del Sol. There were lots of street artists, and entertainers, and several looked as though they were defying gravity.
Then over to Plaza Mayor, where I happened to find the Mercado San Miguel, which, yes, it was touristy, but hello, that’s what I am! Inside was a feast for the eyes, nose and stomach!
Veggies at Mercado San Miguel
I passed on the animal brains and the sea urchins (One question? How to eat?) and chose paella, easy on the stomach.
Another easy on the stomach (and eyes!) was the hotel breakfast – croissants, fresh fruit, cheese, jambon and plates of scrambled eggs were offered.
Unfortunately, my internal gps was incorrect as usual, and I took off in the wrong direction, thinking I was heading back to my hotel. Wrong! Thankfully my phone’s gps was working, and once I realized I had NO idea where I was heading in such a hurry, I switched it on and got safely back to the hotel.
I will be posting more of this amazing trip soon!