Madrid Day 1

Today we negotiated the Spanish metro system. We did pretty well at figuring out tickets and lines but we were totally foiled by the barriers!  We got stuck and had to be saved by the cleaner.
went to the square at Puerto del sol and saw all the street artists.

Then we went to the cathedral district and saw the religious icon shops.

Then we headed out to our apartment in goya. 

We got settled in, had a cuppa then went to get some patatas bravas.

And a trip to carrefore for 'essentials'.  Like fragolino.

We mooched about in the apartment and explored the surrounding area in the evening.

Followed by biscuits, wine and an  early night

The Neo-Classical Crypt at the Madrid Cathedral

If you haven't realised by now, I have an interest in death and death rituals. I love to visit graveyards, cemeteries and places of remembrance as they are peaceful and interesting.
I like to find out about the people or families who are buried there and to see what you can learn about them and their lives from the way in which their remaining loved ones have chosen to remember them and to inscribe their headstones etc.
I also find it interesting how different cultures, countries and religions mark death in different ways and have different views on the ways in which the remains should be honoured.

My favourite time period with regards to this really is victorian, just because death was not a taboo for them like it is in many cultures now. It was dealt with in a very public and expressive way, which leaves lots of interesting clues about the people who had passed away.
So, a neo-classical crypt was just the ticket.

Pumpkin carving with Jenni

Jenni had never made a jack'o' lantern before, apparently it's not a thing in ireland.
So, Today we made halloween pumpkins.
I love that Jenni's pumpkin looks anxious and afraid of my pumpkin, which looks evil.

My Birthday