Shalom.
It’s been rainy here in Spain. I took some photos yesterday, but it was not a good shooting day. When the weather turns, I may re-shoot some of this. In the meantime, just something to hold you over.
I hunted to Mexican style corn tortillas. I did find a Latin American products market, but they were out. Today, I found a second location stocked with the yellow discs. I’m hoping to make a meal for my friends and hosts.
I roamed soggy Madrid and ended up at Almudena Cathedral. I did not go all the way inside. Many churches don’t do much for me. However, now that I’ve read a little of the story, I may return on a sunny day.
Wikipedia says: “When the capital of Spain was transferred from Toledo to Madrid in 1561, the seat of the Church in Spain remained in Toledo; so the new capital – unusually for a Catholic country – had no cathedral. Plans were discussed as early as the 16th century to build a cathedral in Madrid dedicated to the Virgin of Almudena, but construction did not begin until 1879.” It would not be completed for 114 years. Pope John Paul II consecrated the building, which explains why there is a sculpture of him outside.
The doors and John Paul fascinated me. There were three sets of doors, but only the center set was closed and primed to be photographed.
The line to get into the Royal Palace was long and in the elements, so I took a quick shot and moved on.
Near the palace is the Plaza of the Orient, where there are statues of past monarchs. Some looked very Roman in dress and had death dates in the 5th century. So here’s the earliest guy honored: Atauflo. Turns out he was king of the Visigoths.
The Spanish adore Cervantes, their most celebrated author, the creator of Don Quixote and his misadventures. The writer and his characters are celebrated in sculpture in the Plaza de España.
Lastly on this brief excursion, we have the Plaza Mayor. I’m sure it is a happening place in good weather. It has been the happening place for centuries, hosting bullfights, soccer games, executions, and public penance for condemned heretics during the Inquisition., says Wikipedia.
Toledo is on my must-do list, and it’s only a 10€ train ride away. Hope to have more photos for you soon. Shalom y adios.
BONUS for those who made it this far. My host celebrated her birthday last weekend. She had a costume party. She just happened to have a matador costume laying around. Seriously. So here was my chance to be Bugs Bunny.
If you don’t know what I’m talking about…. watch. One of my favorite from Bugs.
Comments
16 responses to “Hasn’t been photo weather”
Those doors are awesome!
Wow think of the work that went into those doors!!! Actually you captured a lot of fancy art work!!!
Fabulous! I hope to see more pictures soon! The cartoon was cute but reminded me of why I hated cartoons when I was a kid; so much running with little hope of escape! Then FINALLY, the good guy wins! Bugs did make a cute matador, though! Buenas noches, amiga!
So fun, I wondered about your profile pic. The cartoon cracked us up because the bull had so many expressions and mannerisms that reminded us of a friend.
Those doors are really something. I look forward to what else you find.
What a great costume! I love it! Your pictures of the carvings….. WOW! So intricate! I am glad you are finding plenty of interesting things to explore and share. Blessings!
Great photos!
I don’t see any carrots. 😉
Awesome pics. What type of camera do you use?
@followfreedom – Thank you.
Right now I’m shooting a Canon 30D with a Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 lens.
Beautiful shots — are the doors wooden?
@slmret – The doors appear to be copper or bronze.
@roamingchile – Thanks — they’re beautiful!
I too, enjoyed the doors. Too bad I missed them when I was in Madrid.
Awesome post and pictures
the loony episode is definitely on the top 5 of all time.
too bad the other doors of the cathedral were not closed. they were also open when i had stopped by and i had hoped you’d find them photographable. those doors ways are about 10 feet tall, would you say? probably a bit of a work out to swing open and closed.
vaya con Dios