28th November 2018 – last day in Madrid

I don’t want to see more grand buildings based on a western Europeanised history, nor any more related stuff from each of the past 4 or 5 centuries.  That weight of the past seems to rest on me, fall on me, flatten me. I’ve got the message – people designed and built according to the fashions and creative opportunities of the day. I accept that some of those vintage creative ideas could be used as is or modified to make contemporary living even richer.  But I no longer want to know.  This creates a problem for me. Every step I take outdoors involves passing through those ancient environments. After revisiting my new 2018 question yesterday – does this add value to my life? – I cannot feel that it does. Currently. Maybe on another day under different circumstances, my answer would be different.  When I leave my hotel room today, I will only be in search of ‘proper’ food. However, maybe something will grab my attention and lift my interest.  I only have to live through today because tomorrow I am off south to begin my experience of Moorish architecture in Cordoba. I have high expectations of pleasure in those ‘discoveries’.

When I left the hotel after much walking, I found a dish of vegetables for brunch in a very pretty restaurant.   Followed it with a lemon gelato combined with cava (Spanish sparkling wine).  Refreshing. 

At the end of the afternoon I entered a supermarket that stocked pre-prepared salads some of which I ate for dinner in my hotel room. So my food problem was solved for today.

I learned that I could have attended a Mahler concert tonight but, since I am coughing too much, the enjoyment of others would be severely compromised and I haven’t gone out.

Earlier in the day I passed the Opera House – new performance of Turandot starts at the end of the week. 

I accidentally reached the Royal Palace – public access closed for 3 days while the Chinese President is having a State visit. Thankfully not many people around. Walked back over a tall viaduct.Found Plaza Mayor by accident.  

Exited from the Plaza through an archway into a tiny street.Fascinated by food, its preparation and presentation.  The Iberico ham varieties. 

 The colourful pizza varieties (like little painted tiles) ready for take away.

Then I tried to find my way to a post office.  After walking endless streets, I eventually found it in a retail store on the seventh floor down the back after going up and down endless floors of escalators with red handholds rather than black, on the differing advice of various shop assistants.  More or less walked for 5 hours and returned to the hotel in the darkening afternoon.

Some sort of ‘work’ being done in this hotel. Its almost 9pm and the noise isn’t good.  Oh how I will enjoy writing my Trip Adviser on this hotel!