by Katie Mack
Our first morning in Madrid began with excitement as we settled into our apartments after arriving the night before and prepared for orientation. We met Professor Christianna and Molly from IAU at the Goya metro station, received our MetroCards, and headed to orientation. Yolanda immediately made us laugh as she reviewed logistics and safety information, but she also gave us our first real introduction to Spanish culture. Her warm personality reflected the friendly, welcoming, and vibrant spirit of Spain, setting the tone for our two weeks in Madrid. In a quick break, we walked to TRAMA pastelería & café. We enjoyed a variety of delicious toasts for breakfast. I chose the sourdough toast with lox, which was excellent. Afterward, we hustled to meet our tour guide, Maria, for a walking tour of Madrid’s historic center. Equipped with headsets, we followed her through the city while learning about its history and famous landmarks. Maria made the tour even more enjoyable with her great sense of humor. She would snap her fan in the air and lead with an energetic “Vamos!” which, in turn, made many of us want to buy traditional paper folding fans.
One fact that really surprised me was that the Royal Palace of Madrid has 3,419 rooms, while the Palace of Versailles has only about 2,300. That statistic was hard to believe because I couldn’t imagine a palace larger than Versailles, yet Madrid’s palace is even bigger. During our walking tour with Maria, we learned about three of Madrid’s most famous plazas that both locals and tourists enjoy. They included Plaza Mayor, where the highlight was the equestrian statue of King Philip III, Puerta del Sol, the bustling center of Madrid, and finally visited Plaza de España, home to the impressive monument to Miguel de Cervantes and the statues of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza. Together, these three plazas showcase Madrid’s history, culture, and national identity.
Along the way, we also stopped at Mercado de San Miguel, one of Madrid’s most famous food markets. The market was packed with people enjoying tapas, fresh seafood, pastries, and other Spanish specialties. We also passed by a convent where cloistered nuns make and sell homemade cookies. Customers place their orders through a traditional system without ever seeing the nuns, preserving their privacy and way of life. It was such a fascinating glimpse into a centuries-old Catholic tradition that continues to this day.
After our walking tour, we were starving. We decided to try some traditional Spanish food for lunch at Casa Castana. I shared a mixed seafood paella, and it was delicious. We also sampled several local tapas, including Spanish potatoes, pork, and calamari. Many of us tried a calamari sandwich, one of Madrid’s most popular dishes.
After lunch, we visited a local artisan workshop, Taller Puntera, where I bought a beautiful handmade leather purse. We spent the afternoon shopping at Zara and other stores, feeling giddy about being in Madrid. After taking our siesta, all 28 of us met up at TKO for one-euro tacos. It was so much fun! Afterward, we played Kubo cards back at our apartment and headed to bed early so we would be well-rested for another fun and busy day tomorrow.
