Madrid

We had a few hours in Madrid before our train to San Sebastian and I thought, did a great job seeing the city. We debated the symbol of the bear which I maintained had a meaning, and James thought, to be an example to Hideiggerian ‘idle talk’.’ To set the record straight, see the explanations of origin of the symbol below:

Following a dispute in the 13th century over hunting rights on church owned land, an agreement was reached that the church owned the soil, but Madrilenos owned everything above the ground – namely game. Hence the symbol of Madrid was born – a Bear (the church’s emblem) sniffing a tree. This bear can be seen across the city today on everything belonging to “the city”.

Another claim is that the original name of the city was “Ursa” (“bear” in Latin), due to the high number of bears found in the adjacent forests, and together with the Madrone tree (“madroño” in Spanish), the name Madrid was created and the symbol born.

We walked around hoping for lunch and found a lovely vegetarian buffet and organic market called ‘Viva la Vida.” We took our fantastic food to the entrance of the botanical garden (near by) and upon learning that we had to pay to enter, we instead enjoyed our lunch on a bench outside entrance.

Viva la Vida Huertas 57 913697254 Costanilla San Andres 16 (Plz. de la Paja) 913663349 www.vivalavida.org Then have two locations, one a larger sit down restaurant open for 3 years now.

We continued to walk around impressed by the artistic shops and struck by the elaborate tiled street signs each bearing an image of the city’s original street function.

Avoiding touristy areas was our intention, but we were drawn to the historic Plaza Mayor and saw the incredible frescos. After, we went to the Cathedral de Nitra Sra de la Almudna at which point the sun seemed to bear down on us. Conscientious of the time, we wanted a quick snack before our train ride (that I originally thought to be 2 hours but was really 6, actually feeling like 2 since the train was silently moving at over 100-mph!) I recalled, only vaguely, a place known for its churros and we happened upon it after passing other less desirable options by. It is called Chocolateria San Gines established in 1894! and down a small cobble stone street. There is a book seller at the corner that might catch you eye, otherwise, I am sure people like Rick Steves sings its praise often enough that you would find it in a guide book. If not, I will share the secret with you here:

Chocolateria San Gines Pasadizo de San Gines No 5 Tel: 91-365-65-46 2801 Madrid and it is open ‘toda la noche’