Sean's View of Madrid

Of the two of us, Sean is the real photographer. His assignment on this trip was to photograph me (LOL!) and make me look like a traveling starlet (LMAO) in the gorgeous city of Madrid!

Here, Cristiano and I enjoy some Spanish coffee before we go to the Prado Museum. As I recall, the service at this particular cafe was abominably slow. Unlike the Zurich Cafe that Sean and I went to in Barcelona. When we arrived there, no tables were in the shade. So, we moved one. Little did I know that we had left Spain and were in Switzerland. The angered waiter came over and shouted "MOVE!" We had to move to another table in shade that had just opened up. I asked for a croissant with jam and he misunderstood and thought I meant a filled one. He replied "NO!" Apparently they were out of them. He reminded me of the Soup Nazi on Seinfeld. But, we were served extremely promptly, unlike this cafe, where I was sure the wait staff forgot about us, only to learn that we were in between shifts. Oh well, it gave Cristiano and I time to catch up.



"Yada, yada, yada..." "Where's our refill?"


It was cold and drizzly waiting for the Prado tickets. But I was well prepared for any weather with my Tilley hat and wind breaker.


The Prado has merged old and new, adding a new wing that encompasses an old church.


Here is a close up of the mating of the buildings. Discuss.


Here are some lovely buildings that we passed on our way to the Prado.


A close up of the Institute of Cervantes.


More really neat buildings.


Great art deco details on this building. Look closely at the glass enclosed balcony and the awning over the door.


The street signs in the old part of the city were made of tiles and were very charming. However, they were not conducive to being read from a car. Maybe there is a message there.


This lovely old building was across the street from our hotel. It was at one point being used as a movie theater. Now it seems to be abandoned.


Now this is an entrance.


Here we are back with beautiful doors. There were quite a few in both Madrid and Barcelona.




Even the newspaper kiosks were pretty. This one is a work of art.


Here I am north of the Gran Via, posing in front of some baroque decorative stairs dating from the 18th century. The stairs are still in use and a fountain runs at the bottom. Click to enlarge.


Here is a shot I took of the Casa de la Panderia in the Plaza Mayor. It was built in 1509 and the fresco was completed in 1922.


We went to Atocha station to catch the Renfre high velocity train to Barcelona. I was very impressed the tropical garden in the center atrium space. Look at the size of it!


I couldn't wait to see if there were fish in that healthy looking pond. But no, it was infested with turtles. The water was brownish with turtle offal. Yuck! No wonder the plants are so green.



The high velocity trains were quiet, comfortable, and clean. Here is what the world looks like at 300 KMPH:




Next: Sean's View of Barcelona!

New Fedora

This is a photograph of my new fedora that I bought in Madrid and wore to the wedding with my Fendi suit.

FYI - I have posted all of the photos that I took in Spain and am waiting for Sean to send me his.

More Wedding Photos

Plaza Mayor

The Casa de la Panaderia was built in 1509. The fresco was added in 1922. It is at the center of the Plaza Mayor in Madrid.

A Spanish Country Wedding

We decided to come to Spain and Madrid for one main reason, and that was to see Francesco and Damien get married in the Spanish countryside. So without further ado, here is the post you have all been patiently waiting for. (Sean's photos)


We were all to meet at the Tribunal Metro station in the Chueca area of Madrid, where many relatives and friends of the wedding couple were staying. Sean and I got there first, and then Cristiano arrived. The only other person I knew was Ross Hurston, who you can just see, if you enlarge the photo.



Finally, Cristiano and I decided to mingle a bit.




Sean got this great photo of Marco, who is from Milan and Jannik who is from Estonia. They now live in London. They are posing with Paul Wagner and Ross.


The bus drove us about half an hour outside of Madrid into the country where it had just rained. It turned down a dirt road and the driver was wary of getting stuck in the mud. He wanted to stop and let us all off to walk the rest of the way to the finca. Well, the ladies were having none of that! Here, Francesco's uncle makes a stink with the driver. Other relatives gave him a hard time too and he eventually drove us most of the way there.


Here you can see the guests picking their way through the last few feet of mud to the patio.


Here we are waiting on the patio of the finca for things to start. See my new black fedora? I bought it in Madrid. Isn't it hot? Doesn't it match my Fendi suit?


Still waiting.




The interior of the tent where the festivities will occur.


A group shot of the gorgeous men in front of the table with goodies. Some of the goodies included cannolis imported from Milan. Also there were fresh figs, ripe enough to be split with your fingers. Marco and I shared a cannoli and ate a fig each. We were in heaven!


Me posing with Jannik. He was sweeter than honey.



The ceremony begins! It is so exciting! Here comes Francesco with his mom!


Oh, he is going to kiss her, how sweet is that! Doesn't his suit look great? Cristiano provided the suits and shoes and they looked SHARP!


And right behind Francesco, here comes Damien and his mom! Oh god, I just love weddings!


Everyone is so excited! I know I am!


Here is Francesco with the "priest".


Francesco reads his vows, which were quite touching.


Then Damien reads his vows and Francesco cries! I have never seen him so emotional. He stayed that way for the rest of the evening.


A close up of Francesco crying.


Now all smiles again, because it is a happy occasion. Look at the expression on Damien's face. He is so proud that he is marrying Francesco.


The rings. Damien actually dropped his!

(My photo)

Ross watches the ceremony.


It's official! They are wed! Time to party!



Pedro Andreas, Francesco, and Orlando Toro watch a speaker. Pedro was Francesco's best man. After the ceremony, family members and friends got up to speak about the couple. It was really charming to watch and some of the speakers gave very emotional and meaningful speeches.


Damien's mom spoke and was really funny. She is wearing a traditional Spanish wrap.


The moms hugging.


The newly weds mugging for the camera.


A toast!



All the guapo hermanos and Francesco's sister. Hey, who is that wearing my hat?


A group shot.


Me with the newly weds. I was over the moon for them.


Francesco, Adriano Toledo, me and Damien. Adriano looks so young in person.


Me with Ross.

(The following photos are mine.)


This kiss was very anticipated and well appreciated by all in attendance.



A sword was used to cut the wedding cake.


The happy couple cut the wedding cake.



Francesco, Orlando and Pedro by the cake.


Francesco right before he feeds the cake to Damien. I wished they were sloppier than they were, but you can't have everything.


Me with Pedro. Photo courtesy of Andreas New Life. The person whose job it was to let me know it was time to fluff my hair and refresh my lipstick is fired.


Me and Francesco's friend Carlos who works as a designer for a local architectural firm. I had to tickle him to get him to smile. He was very ticklish.

The entire wedding party boarded the bus back to Tribunal Metro station. We had to walk through the mud and all of us got our shoes dirty, even Ross' white ones.

So, that was it kids! Hope you enjoyed the photos.