European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - May 7, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Lively  with act Way Dau and in fret by James t. Yenckel the Washington Post Madrid May be the world s pre eminent night City. A snooty maitre d made that very Clear to us right off the Bat. I Don t say this disparagingly. Far from it. Spain s historic capital is a Beautiful and exciting place where a surprisingly vibrant a maybe even hedonistic a lifestyle unfolds in a centuries old setting of ornate palaces hidden courtyards narrow Maze like streets and romantic Parks and gardens. This year the City has been named the cultural capital of Europe which Means music dance and other performing arts events will fill the downtown streets through the end of 1992. Anyone going to the City during that time can expect lots . And lots of those Are Likely to get tripped up by the City s social niceties a such As dining out for example. We were Well aware that Madrilejos the people of Madrid have a reputation for dining late. This is Why we made a reservation at one of the City s fanciest restaurants at 9 . We made the mistake of showing up a few minutes before 9. The restaurant door was locked. The place had t even opened yet. We were let in at 9 on the Dot and the dining room did t begin to fill until after 10. We finished just when the place began to get Lively and interesting. How do they do it these legendary iberian night owls dinner until Midnight maybe drinks and dancing at a nightspot afterwards a pre Dawn cup of hot chocolate before bed and then up again just a few hours later for the commute to work. If you plan a visit you might try to keep Pace. It won t be easy. This is Spain s year in the spotlight what with expo 92, the six month Long world s fair through oct. 12, in Seville in the South and the summer olympics july 25-aug. 9, in Barcelona in the North. Both Are expected to attract thousands of visitors Many of whom Are Apt to pass rather quickly through Madrid in route to one or the other. The old tree shaded capital situated on a High generally Flat plateau in the heart of Spain really deserves a longer and More leisurely stay a the better to adjust to the City s night hours. But for those with time constraints it is possible to take a whirlwind tour of Madrid in two Days. The tour most of which can be done on foot includes the City s most important attractions including its treasure House of Art the Prado museum. Since most everything closes for two or three hours at midday even a frenzied sightseer must slow Down for a late lunch and a stroll in a Shady Park. Of necessity the focus of this Lour was on daytime activities. From a historic Point of View the old Center City is made up of neighbourhoods from both the hapsburg reign 16th and 17th centuries and the Bourbon Era 18th Century representing the grand architectural heritage of succeeding Royal dynasties. After Christopher Columbus voyage to the new word in 1492, Spain reaped the riches of Peru and Mexico and until the Boom went bust much of this newfound wealth was lavished on Madrid which became the seat of the Spanish monarchy in 1s61. This area makes up the first Day s tour. Quot romantic Quot Madrid the neighbourhoods adjacent to the old City is made up of Broad avenues and expansive Parks and is the product of a 19th-Century resurgence following the expulsion of Napoleon s occupying army. Exploring it takes up the second Day. In this Century Spain was ravaged by its brutal three year civil War launched in 1936 by Gen. Francisco Franco who governed As a military dictator until his death in 1975. Freed from Franco s repressive continued on Page 4 May 7, 1992 stripes Magazine 3