A Pleasant Retreat

Aside from the Prado, my other favorite landmarks in Madrid were the Retiro Park and the Botanic Garden.

The Park is really the jewel of the city - the best translation of the name is "A Pleasant Retreat" and that's exactly what it is, a retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city.  Once you enter the park, it feels like a completely different world - kids are giggling and running around, couples are picnicking under the shady trees, there's even a beautiful lake where you can rent row boats.  It's very different from other large city parks, many of which are just large patches of lawn.  Retiro park had some really beautiful landscaped trees, a huge glass conservatory, and the best of all, great performers would gather huge crowds of people to see their acts.

This guy was by far the most successful - he was a genius crowd pleaser and really captivated the kids, thus also ensuring that the adults would stay until the hat went around at the end for tips.  Every time he spotted some new people, he would draw attention to them and tease them with both English and Spanish, which was very funny. In this photo, he's in the middle of his final act, balancing precariously on three layers of cans and wooden boards (which can all come apart), while that black cylinder is rolling around at the bottom.  When we got there, the crow was absolutely massive and totally encircled him.  We ended up staying for an hour - an impromptu comedy/acrobatics show!

On our last day, we visited the botanic garden right before our flight.  It took roughly an hour or so to go through the garden, and it was very worth while.  Lots of flowers were in bloom and the garden was lit up with beautiful colors everywhere.  I also liked how the entrance had a sign that very seriously indicated that the park was a museum of beautiful and rare plants, not simply a place to walk your dogs and your small children.


Although to many, Madrid is home to some of the most rare and beautiful artwork, an intricately decorated palace, and a magnificent bull-ring, I will always remember the city by its wonderful parks and lush greenery.