Madrid - Day Six - February28, 2008

I began my day at Puerta del Sol with its statue of a bear pawing a berry bush and the madrono trees. Both of them are symbols of the city.

In front of the Governor's office, there is the Kilometer zero, considered the center of Spain's road network.

A stop at the famous Salon La Mallorqunia pastry shop with a tile view of 18th-century view of Puerta del Sol.

The street signs in this quarter had pictures so that illiterate medieval people could read them.

I followed the winding streets to the Plaza Mayor, a traffic free oasis from 17th-centry Spain. The building with the painted figures, Casa de la Panaderia, was formally the bakers guild.

After much consultation from the map book, I found the Basiclica Pontificia de San Miguel.


I tried to buy some sweets from the cloistered nuns. They conduct business using a lazy Susan. I was to late to buy some home-made cookies, but I will try another day. A plaza with city hall was located near the nuns.

I tried to visit Iglesia de San Nicolas, but it was not open for visits.

I then went to the Palacio Real, the Royal Palace. It could be categorized in that fine line between classical or elgant and Shoji Tabuchi's bathroom, which was modeled on Versailles. Pictures were not allowed, but I bought some postcards.

The Cathedral de la Almudena, but it was closed due to a demonstration. I took some pictures of the doors.

I went to the Thyssen-Bornemissa Musuem and enjoyed the great art. Pictures were not allowed. I went back to my hotel and had dinner.