Spain Part 3: Pamplona and Madrid

Our next stops in Spain took us to Pamplona and Madrid. We drove from San Sebastian to Pamplona and spent the morning wandering the streets where untamed bulls run wild every July. I am sad we didn’t get to see that live and in person. The streets there are so narrow; I don’t know how the bulls don’t just gore everyone in sight. Ernest Hemingway’s book, The Sun Also Rises, helped make Pamplona and the running of the bulls famous. There are shrines to Hemingway all over the city. The bull ring in Pamplona has a statue of Hemingway’s head in front of it. Honestly, the monument is a little creepy.

After our morning in Pamplona, we made our way to Madrid. The drive to Madrid was very scenic and the city itself is absolutely beautiful. It is pretty clean and well-kept and the architecture is phenomenal. We were able to visit a beautiful botanic garden while in Madrid with the most gorgeous Dahlias I have ever seen. Madrid also has an impressive palace that puts Buckingham to shame.

One of our favorite moments in Madrid was eating dinner outside in a busy city square. It was neat to watch all of the people in the city wander by while we ate our tapas. The best part, though, was when this man who looked very similar to Mr. Bean came up to our table with his boom box. He turned on some Michael Jackson and busted a move for us and our fellow diners. His dance skills were indescribable. He looked as if he were in a coma, contorting his body in very slow, very awkward Michael Jackson movements. Jared and I sat there in a state of shock, trying not to laugh. Of course, the man came around asking for money after his prize winning performance. It was quite a treat. We didn’t even need any dessert after that!

Ok, I hope all of this Spain stuff isn’t boring you. I just have one more post about Albacete and our drive along the Mediterranean, and then you won’t have to hear any more. I promise.