Madrid, Spain
Spain will always have a special spot in my heart. My three and a half year stay in Spain was my very first trip abroad. I was indeed fortunate to have been granted a scholarship by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs back when I did. It helped me improve my knowledge of the Spanish language a great deal and it afforded me the opportunity to travel to Europe. Little did I know then that Spanish would play a big role in my career in the US.
While I was living in Madrid, I used to walk around the city a lot. Although I used the metro on a daily basis, I aslo liked walking the different sections of Madrid. It was really like walking through an outdoor museum. Everything was so old and historic. Very few places in the world can boast of such beauty and culture.
The Congreso de los Diputados. I first heard of this building back in the mid 70s while I was still a youngster. A certain Spanish Colonel had entered the premises and held the Spanish politicians hostage for a time. It was a broadcast I saw in Manila and which I can never forget to this day. I even relived the memory as a watched snippets of the event during one my Spanish culture classes at the University of Salamanca.
A more frontal view of the Congreso de los Diputados.
Puerta de Alcala, Madrid
There are many buildings and landmarks I shall always remember about Spain. The Puerta de Alcala is one of them. It is walking distance from the Palacio de Telecomunicaciones as well as the Cibeles. I likewise saw it at night either Friday or Saturday night when I went clubbing with friends nearby.
Marc at Retiro Park
Me at Retiro Park
Plaza de España was my favorite park of all parks in Madrid. Though not exactly as beautiful as the Retiro Park, this square was much closer to my apartment in the Moncloa area and I simply walked to and fro. I cannot exactly count the number of times I've come here just to chillax.
The famous monument of Don Quixote and Sancho Pancha at Plaza de España
The Plaza de Oriente
Marc on the grounds of the Royal Palace of Madrid
A partial view of the Royal Palace of Madrid
The colorful ceiling inside the Cathedral of Madrid called the Almudena
Me buying postcards for my albums
El mercado central or Central MArket. Can you believe it? Of all the time I've spent in Madrid, not once did I enter here to buy nor even check out the interiors of the premises.
The Plaza Mayor
Madrid natives celebrating the night away