The Aqueduct of Segovia, located in the emblematic Plaza del Azoguejo, is the staple of the city. The date of its construction, which could be carried out at the end of the 1st century or early 2nd century, is the roman civil engineering work most important in Spain.

It was applied to about 25,000 granite blocks together without any mortar, has a length of 818 meters, consists of more than 170 bows and hand highest is 29 meters, as it reaches the Azoguejo, the most visited area.

LLVL

The Madrid Orgullo (‘orgullo’ is the Spanish word for pride), however, is perhaps also the least gay of major pride events, as it has gradually turned into the main fiesta for the city. Activities are centred around Chueca, and at night the streets where  jam packed with concert-goers out to enjoy the free live acts in the neighbourhood’s squares.

The gay part of the business revolves around the parade – more political and less festive than, e.g., New York Pride – on the last Saturday and the parties that weekend, packing an insane amount of scantily clad buff bodies.

Other highlights include La Carrera de Tacones on Thursday, the classic stiletto race. During the day, the terrace at Roommate Oscar and the pool at El Lago de Casa de Campo are the focal spots of gay activity.

Due to the very progressive laws of gay marriage and anti-discrimination, approved by Spain’s government and parliament in 2005, Madrid was chosen to host the EuroPride 2007. The parade in the very center of Madrid – with more than a million participants and visitors – became the hottest and most colourful gay pride parade Europe has ever seen. [Source]

Pillow Fight in the streets of Chueca.

See yo later, LLVL

This neighbourhood was the Jewish and Moorish quarter outside the city walls until they were forced into exile or conversion in 1492. Lavapiés then became Madrid’s working class neighbourhood for hundreds of years and largely fell into decay until artists and immigrants began to fill its abandoned houses in the 1980s and 1990s.

This is also the most international neighborhood in Madrid.  Despite appearances, some of the best Chinese, Indian and Moroccan restaurants call this barrio home. Lavapés is a unique international blend. Populated by immigrants, many consider it a “dangerous area”, but residents of the hood often laugh at this designation. Unlike the other zones, the cute shops and trendy bars haven’t made headway just yet.

The neighborhood is a crowded and often chaotic collection of ethic restaurants – including Indian, Arabic and Senegalese – and local bars. In the warm months Calle Argumosa, with its many terrazas, is an ideal way to spend an day or evening.

The center of the area is the Plaza de Lavapiés. Upon entering the plaza, you will find yourself among Africans, Turks, Gypsies, Chinese, South Americans, Pakistanis, Bangladeshis, Indians, and Spanish. The wealth of diversity may at first be daunting.

Within minutes, someone will probably step forward, whistling, and offer to sell you hash. This is not a threat, and your life is not in danger. Shake your head “no”, smile, and walk on. You have offended no one, and you are not being followed.

To experience the Lavapies night life, you’ll have to stay up past your American bedtime. The atmosphere is lively, relaxed, and informal. To get service at any of the cafes, you’ll have to be — by American standards — patient! We waited quite a while to order food, to then be told the kitchen just closed and would re-open at 8pm.

If you want service, you’ll have to politely call on a waiter. The waiters do not work for tips, so it’s not one of their concerns to change over tables throughout the night. You can stay at your table for as long as you like and you’ll offend no one. Drink slowly and stay long. This seems to be the natural rhythm of Lavapies.   When action in the outdoor cafes subsides around 1:30 or 2a.m., ask for “la cuenta” , and as mentioned, don’t feel obligated to leave a tip.

Hope you stop by there some time!

Cheers, LLVL

Spain is actually the second largest almond producer in the world (13% of annual production) after the United States (over 40 percent annually) and relies on Andalucia and Valencia as its main producing regions.

The white blossoms produce sweet almonds while the pink ones produce the bitter variety. The latter contain cyanide which must be removed before consuming the extract of these nuts.

Almond trees have been traditional in Spain since Arab domination more than 500 years ago. Although almond orchards are widely dispersed throughout Spain, commercial production is concentrated in the Mediterranean regions.

Approximately three-fourths of Spain’s total almond acreage is located in three regions — the Ebro region to the north, the Levante region in the center and eastern Andalucia to the south.

Since growing almonds is such a major part of the agricultural economy, almonds feature strongly in Andalucian cuisine, often in dishes of Arab origin. The almond is a principle ingredient in many cakes and sweets, like turon or almond nougat, and mantecados, light sweet cakes. It´s possibly enjoyed above all in Ajo Blanco, a delicious chilled soup based on almonds and garlic.

A nice weekend to you!

Cheers,

The old city is located on a mountaintop with a 150 degree view, surrounded on three sides by a bend in the Tagus River, and contains many historical sites, including the Alcázar, the cathedral (the primate church of Spain), and the Zocodover, a central market place.

Toledo was famed for religious tolerance and had large communities of Muslims and Jews until they were expelled from Spain in 1492 (Jews) and 1502 (Muslims).

They also make delicious marzipan. We couldn’t help but buying a lot!

Toledo has been a traditional sword-making, steel-working center since about 500 BC, and came to the attention of Rome when used by Hannibal in the Punic Wars. Soon, it became a standard source of weaponry for Roman Legions.

We loved the tiny streets in which you can get lost pretty fast!

In the afternoon we went down to the river, we saw a cactus and the flowers on some trees started blooming!

more pictures soon:-)

Xoxo, Sibylle

Here are the pictures from the beautiful Retiro Park,  the largest park in Madrid, Spain. The park belonged to the Spanish Monarchy until the late 19th century, when it became a public park.

We visited it on new years day, like many other Madrilenos!

Rosaleda del Retiro

A magnificent park, filled with beautiful sculpture and monuments, galleries, a peaceful lake and host to a variety of events, it is one of Madrid’s premier attractions. The park is entirely surrounded by the present-day city.

Crystal Palace

A puppet show every weekend for young and old.

The leaves are still on the trees from last autumn.

on the way home….

Madrid never sleeps….

Good night!

Additionally 33,000 trees have been planted, part of the Madrid ringroad has been covered over and several very futuristic looking bridges have been constructed. Some of the historic bridges such as the 500 year old Puente de Segovia have been spruced up too.

Hier habe ich auch meine erste Palme gesehen!

Der Tempel von Debod ist ein altägyptisch-unternubischer Tempel, der in Madrid wiederaufgebaut wurde. Er stand ursprünglich 15 Km südlich von Philae an den Ufern des Nils in der Nähe des ersten Nil-Kataraktes in unmittelbarer Nähe von Debod.

Es sind uebrigens 12 Grad heute!

LG, LLVL

Um 23.30 Uhr sind wir mit Weintrauben und Sekt zur Puerta del Sol gegangen, wo schon tausende von Menschen warteten.

Die Maenner haben sich natuerlich nicht getraut, mit bunten Haaren aus dem Haus zu gehen!

Doch bevor es los ging haben wir noch kraeftig geschlemmt.

Und hier ist ein kleiner Film, wir live @ Puerta del Sol:

Happy New Year!!!!
LLVL

Everyone is running around with one of those wigs on. It looks too funny!

The main Christmas market each year in Madrid is in Plaza Mayor. It normally opens in the last week of November, with its official opening in the first week of December.

Our Christmas Tree!

The streets are full of people!

Our Christmas Lottery Ticket!