European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - August 29, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse A a c. A real plus in the Spanish Summers. Theopeles Fountas is the City s most famous and provided Jim a amps photos it Jim Derheim decorated horses prance Down a wide Boulevard hear the Palacio real. Madrid does t Lack for fountains a i j equestrian outfits from Southern Spain a with lots of photo cooled our heels for a few minutes at a Garden across the Street from the Palace called Jardines Del Cabo Noval. It Felt so Nice and Cool there sheltered from the blazing afternoon Sun that we decided it was time to head to Madrid s famous i Retiro a vast Park in the a Central part of the City. Al Retiro also puts you in perfect position to rest up before tackling Madrid s most famous museum a the Prado a located Only a few blocks West of the Park. Al Retiro has 320 acres with tree lined paths winding past Cool Lush lawns and flowerbeds. On sundays in the summer it s crowded with strolling couples jugglers painters and sidewalk salesmen hawking everything from Indian shirts to ice Cream. The Park also has several cafes and in one we saw a flamenco guitarist entertaining guests. In the Center of the Park is a Lake where you can rent paddle boats for 275 pesetas about $2.50 for one or two people for 45 minutes. But one note of caution not All of those out paddling in the water know what they re doing sometimes it looked More like a bumper car ride at the amusement Park than a romantic boat ride. On our Way Back to pase Del Prado and the Prado museum we stopped for a look at the Cibeles Fountain at the Plaza de la Cibeles just a few blocks North of the museum. The Cibeles is considered the most famous Fountain in Madrid and perhaps in All of Spain. The Gigantic Fountain sits in the Middle of the Busy traffic Circle of pase Del Prado and pase de la Castellana. It depicts Cibeles who was the Creek goddess of Fertility Riding a Chariot drawn by two giant Lions. The Prado is one of the greatest museums in Europe if not in All the world. The museum has a Stern somewhat intimidating neoclassical facade but Don t let it put you off. Inside is the Mother lode of Spanish and european Art from the 12th to the 18th centuries. Much of it came from the Spanish Royalty which Over the years commissioned some of Europe s greatest painters. Al Greco Velazquez Ribera Murillo and Goya Are All Well represented As Are Titian Tintoretto and Raphael. The museum is normally open from 9 . To 7 ., but closes at 2 On sundays and holidays. During our wanderings a couple of Young men stepped Over to Jim to ask if he could spare a few pesetas. Jim said he did t speak Spanish. But unfortunately for him they also spoke English. Panhandling is a frequent occurrence in Madrid As in most big cities. If it happens to you Don t get upset. Don t use excuses. If you Don t feel like giving away change just say no a politely but firmly a and keep on walking. If that fails then whip out a notebook and pretend to be a reporter. Nobody wants to talk to reporters. No kidding. With the Day s round of sightseeing and museum touring Over we spent our evening at a bullfight at Madrid s famous Plaza de Toros on the City s East Side. But the evening is also a Nice time to take a stroll through one of several areas in the City where there Are clusters of bars and cafes. Since most people Don t eat dinner until about 10 ., there s usually plenty of time to get a Chato a Small Glass of red or White wine. The wine is often taken with tapas tasty titbits of sardine shrimp cheese sausage or a myriad other things. One of the neighbourhood cafe strips Worth visiting is the area just Southeast of Puerta Del sol along Calle de la Victoria Espoz y mind and Cruz and Cadiz. Another fun District includes the Small streets around Plaza mayor including Calle postas and san Cristobal. There Are also several cafes on the Plaza itself. It s a pleasant Way to relax and look Back on a Day in which you As an explorer mapped out your own tour of one of Europe s greatest cities. August 29, 1991 stripes Magazine 9
