Sun-Ling was always in love with Madrid, John not so much. However, on this visit John took a liking to the lively yet peaceful Madrid city center. Most streets are vehicle restricted, or vehicle free. City buses are quiet, electric or gas, and sized to fit-the-street (see photo below). Young folks zip around on electric scooters but there are no roaring, polluting buses, and robotic lawn mowers are taking care of the Royal Lawn (see photo below). I'm guessing we'll be back.
Guess who's coming to Madrid this summer?
We are enjoying the fine selection of mushrooms in Spanish grocery stores.
The highlight of Wednesday was seeing this robot lawn mower cutting the lawn at the Royal Palace Gardens. First a photo, then a 25-second video.
We were lucky and happened to be in Madrid for nine-times-a-year "Solemn Changing of the Guard" at the Royal Palace that showcases uniforms from past eras, and horses.
Here's a 2-minute video, shot by Sun-Ling, that shows all the participants in the Solemn Changing.
The Royal Botanic Garden is adjacent to Atocha Station and close to our hotel. The tulips were attracting much attention.
We also liked the greenhouse and the exhibition at the onsite art gallery.
No visit to Madrid is complete without an early evening stroll to Puerto del Sol.
Our hotel was also near the Caixa Forum with its captivating design and Green Wall.
Stay tuned for our next post from the City Walls of Avila, Spain.
Love the lawn mower! Afraid I'm in the "don't care for Madrid" camp, and I did make a return visit. Much prefer Lisbon.
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