Oh, Madrid! What have you done to me?

Is this true love or just a silly crush?

This is Essay #138

A little perspective for you new subscribers:

I’m sharing one of the most humbling experiences of my life… my first visit to Europe. After a lifetime of taking care of everyone else, before it was too late, I was able to go. I have a great travel teacher and I’m taking notes for the next time!

Thanks for being with me on this journey. I love my digital family!! 💙✌️

“Come on. I’ve got something to show you!”

We hadn’t been in Madrid but a few hours, having just arrived from two weeks on the island of Tenerife. (I admit, I was pooped.) He took me to the rooftop bar of a magnificent building where the Círculo de Bellas Artes is located, an art organization founded in 1880.

I swear, art is the very backbone of Spain.

Maybe it was here I fell in love with this incredible city.

Yeah… that’s the look of love right there. 😍

The Azotea rooftop bar was gently buzzing with young people, smiling and chatting, sipping cocktails with one hand and their cell phone in the other.

This was a far cry from the corner taverns I know in rural Missouri. When they say “belly up to the bar” in Missouri, it really happens. 🙄 It’s in these friendly, family-owned establishments where Busch Natural Light is served in a can, with a fried pork tenderloin as big as your head. I’m not making that up and honestly, they’re pretty good. So is the generous order of french fried onion rings.

Also, there were no Ford S150’s parked outside The Azotea. No one chewing tobacco, no deer heads mounted to a wall, no plaid shirts with snaps, no MAGA hats, no mud caked boots, and no bitching about “the libs”. (But hey, they’re still my people, in spite of their wrong headed politics.)

The Azotea was full of well-behaved patrons, all stylishly dressed, hair coiffed and make up carefully applied while the statue of Minerva watched over us all.

From this vantage point in the sky, the personality of this grand city presented herself in the most splendid way. Take a look.

Stunning. 😳 I definitely wasn’t in Missouri anymore.

The view at sunset took my breath away.

The Principal, a 5 star hotel with 76 suites, in a renovated 1917 building. They called it, “a boutique hotel that oozes cosmopolitan style”. Nailed it.

Down on the ground, the spectacular Four Seasons Hotel. It has 200 rooms but the top floors are reserved for 22 private luxury residences which sell for a cool two and half million euro. It was built between 1887 and 1891 by Spanish architect Jose Grases Riera.

Then there are the sweet little side streets. *sigh

So, Madrid… we’re not finished, you and I. Thirty six hours is just a tease. When I return, let’s go back to Museo Del Prado. I risked the wrath of museum staff to sneak these shots. (Even The Smithsonian and Glenstone allowed photos. 🤷🏼‍♀️)

And I hope for another long lunch the Palace Hotel. (Aren’t all lunches in Spain long?) I want to have Karen as our waiter again and this time, I won’t refuse the carrot cake. But I’ll still order the Frangelico.

So, listen up, you gorgeous, sensual city.

It all happened so fast between us. I didn’t even get a goodbye kiss. You flirted shamelessly, then left me hanging, wanting more.

And more I shall have!

When I come back to see you in November, we need to really get to know each other. I’ll be speaking Spanish a little better and will be ready for some lingering moments.

Until then, don’t forget about me.

Hasta la próxima. 🩷

Art is EVERYWHERE, even on the side of the buildings! 🥰