Madrid on the Rebound

Smooth Jazz meets Fussy Monument : Parque del Retiro : Madrid, ES

Coming home from Fuerteventura, we overnighted once again in Madrid. We were too tired to go out the evening we arrived, but the next morning we went out for a couple of hours and visited the Parque del Retiro.

Real meets Imagined : Parque del Retiro : Madrid, ES

The walkways all feature names of countries in South and Central America. It was quite lovely and featured some unique art pieces and monuments. To see photos in the park, go here.

Clean meets Dirty (or, Window Washers in Silhouette) : Palacio del Cristal :
Parque del Retiro : Madrid, ES

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 10/10

Catedral de la Almudena

Colorful ceilings and domes : Catedral de la Almudena : Madrid, ES

I love shooting churches and cathedrals and I've shot a lot of them as a photographer. From Notre Dame in Paris to the Abbey at Bellelay in Switzerland, from the Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., to the Mormon Temple in Nauvoo, Illinois, religious edifices fascinate me.

Contemporary stained glass : Catedral de la Almudena : Madrid, ES

The Santa Iglesia Catedral de Santa Maria la Real de la Almudena, though, has to be hands down the most beautiful cathedral I have ever photographed. I'll let the photos and the slideshow (see below) speak for themselves.

Filli : Catedral de la Almudena : Madrid, ES

Organ : Catedral de la Almudena : Madrid, ES

... Slideshow ...

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 10/10

Madrid! Redux

Metropolis : Gran Via : Madrid, ES

The next day, we had a little time before our flight to Fuertaventura, so we went out again to take pictures of Madrid in better daylight. Here are a few more.

Fallen : Madrid, ES

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 10/10

100 Unnamed Strangers: Arriba!

Mariachi : Puerta del Sol : Madrid, ES

October 12 is a holiday in Spain: Columbus Day. Yes, that Columbus. They, too, celebrate Columbus' discovery of the Americas. This mariachi, representing Mexico no doubt, was playing with his compatriots in the Puerta del Sol. I was fortunate that he looked right at my camera when I shot this. To see additional shots of some of Madrid's people, go here.

Watchful : Near the Plaza Mayor : Madrid, ES

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 10/10

Madrid!

Madrid's heraldic symbols, a bear and a madrona tree :
Puerta del Sol : Madrid, ES

I have photos from Bern, Switzerland, to post yet, but I'm going to break from that to post photos of my recent vacation to Madrid and the Canary Islands. Madrid is Spain's capital and the Canaries belong to Spain. Maya and I went to the island of Fuertaventura for about five days and visited her uncle, Jan-Peter, and his wife, Christa. But first: Madrid! These shots were taken in the evening and night. See more here. Unfortunately, it was overcast and rainy most of the time, so these aren't the best photos.

Carlos III, Rey de Espana : Puerta del Sol : Madrid, ES

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 10/10