Museo Sorolla was just right. After his death, his private home became a museum. The museum’s architecture and balance of elegance with comfort were much to my liking. Oh, to have lived in such a house with such an artist.
Strolling through Real Jardin Botanico…
These catch my eye street walking.
All runners are like the international Hash House Harriers forming instant connections with other runners. Madrid’s running Coach Javi Rondi and I met walking the Portugués Camino 2022. I joined his running team in Madrid before their evening run. What a pity not to have my Hokas.
Personality plus best describes these buildings. With grandiose buildings, my eyes constantly rove. These buildings capture my focus, attention, and appreciate.
Grandiose well describes Madrid. The scale of buildings centuries old goes beyond my ability to capture by camera. Touring Palacio Real de Madrid is like Versailles on steroids. Madrid’s central area is walking friendly. A walk so dissimilar to past weeks of walking Portugués Camino.
Decompression is necessary after a solitude journey. Going home would be too abrupt. A neutral place allowing the experiences to settle is wise. The nine hour bus ride to Madrid began the thought process. Unbeknownst I rode through towns from my first Camino in 2014…Arzua, Lugo, Ponferrada, and Astoria. Haunting! Contrasting the similarities and difference helps sort my 2022 Portugués Camino.
The Jerónimos Monastery was built to commemorate Vasco da Gama. He was the first European to sail around Africa to India. Vasco da Gama died in India during his third voyage. His body, albeit well salted, was brought back to be buried at Jerónimos Monastery.
Both walking tours in Lisbon are exceptional. They bring order to a maze of streets while adding historical content. Our guide calls attention to the sepia photographs quietly displayed on city walls. Increases in tourism…increases in rents. Affordable rents are declining as accommodations are being flipped for profitable Airb&b’s. These portraits of locals help establish laws preserving a portion of housing as affordable.
Driving rain sent me purchasing the first in a series of €5 umbrellas. When the rains stops, each umbrella became the latest donation. Travel light.
Linda Scandore 