Madrid

We made it to Madrid and took a taxi to our the Leonardo Hotel in Center City. Although we arrived mid morning, our room was ready so we were able to settle in before heading to the main street.

Our first agenda, as usual, was to get on the Red Hop on Hop off Bus. It gives a good overview of everything and also gives us time to relax and regroup. Then realizing how tired we were we went back to our hotel for a nap. This is usual practice for this part of the world so many things are closed anyway for the afternoon. Then we showered and changed clothes and headed back to the main street to explore.

There are several plaza's to explore;  Mercadi de San Miguel Market (reminds me of Reading Market in Philadelphia), Puerta del Sol and ended up in Plaza Mayor for a Paella (rice dish with seafood) while watching a concert in the main square.

Along our stroll we were amazed at the immensity of the Royal Palace and we walked through the Prado Museum viewing painting by Goya and other artist. Each painting told a story way too detailed to comprehend it all. We did talk to an Art History Major who explained one on the most famous painting to us.

May 15 the locals celebrate the city' patron saint, San Isidro in a multi-day celebration. Many local dress in traditional costume during the festivities, men in grey flat caps and waitcoats and women in intricately embroidered dresses.

As always, we are enjoying a great breakfast at the hotel with croissants, fruit, and yogurt, etc. We ended our stay back in the Plaza Mayor with a pizza.

 

Today we venture on to the Metro, down to the Prado Gardens and try to figure out how to catch the train tomorrow as we head to Barcelona.
 

Headed to Europe

 Today we are doing some laundry, finish packing, have lunch with Brad and then head to the airport. We are really excited about "wandering Aimlessly with Pooh." We land in Madrid at 8 am and then ???? 

See you around the next bend

Mother's Day

 Sunday was a wonderful mother's day. After attending church with Brad and his family we come home to Ribs, Mac'n Cheese, salad and of course some Nothing Bundt cake and ice cream in the evening. I feel so loved and appreciated.

Of Course we had to stop and get Bread from DiVincenzo's Bakery. This little bakery was just down the road from where we used to live. And it still sells lots of French and Italian bread as well as other Italian pastries. Elijah calls it "Car Bread" because it is still warm when you get it into the car and you can't help but tear off a piece and eat it in the car.

Northern Lights

 In the evening of May 10, we heard the the Northern Lights might be visible. So Rich and Bradley and a few of the kids went to the shore of Lake Ontario to watch. What at spectacular view.

Lilac Festival

Today we took a walk through Highland Park in Rochester known for it's a beautiful Lilac's, Rhododendron's and Azalea's. Then we picked up Naomi for lunch and took her to her favorite restaurant.

Then we headed to see the Frederick Douglas and Susan B. Anthony memorials

And then we went for lunch at the best Italian place in Rochester.

Needless to say it was a good day!

Pooh has been having fun. His nose is getting a little colored with all the ice cream he has been nosing himself into.