Spain-madrid

Madrid
The contrast between traditional Spanish and other European countries as well as the clash between Catholic and Islamic influences is seen in the streets of Madrid. Sarah and I arrived to this beautiful city grateful for the warmth and instant beauty right away, yet very tired and both a tad sick. We sucked it up and went to reserve our tickets at the train station a walk away. We had a terrible time of it and after a few hours of floundering spanish and unhelpful Spaniards we finally figured out we needed to go to Barcelona the next day. Then we got some wonderful cheap food straight away and made some friends. Before we could hit the hay these friends invited us to a bull fight. How could we turn that down? So we didn't;we went to the bull fight. It was great to see all the Spaniards out and avoiding the scalpers we each got some cheap tickets and piled and climbed and stepped through. The men and women were out but it did seem like a traditionally male affair...smoking cigars and passing around the alcohol. The sport itself was violent and strangely captivating there was obviously a lot more going on then we could understand. We left a little early wondering why it was still legal. When we got back to our hostel there was nothing to do but crash...and that we did. We got up and packed again, ate breakfast at our hostel, and went out on a walking tour for 3 hours. We had a great tour guide heard some good stories and then made our way back and to the train station. 
On the train we could see the countryside, there are rolling hills, winding dirt streets, white fluffy clouds, striking blue skies, green grass, some rocks, red red sandy dirt, but truly the thing that dominates it all is the sun...illuminating all it touches...making every hue of color explode and reach all it's potential, every pigment it was meant to be. Here the sun doesn't seem to be warring with anyone but rather is an essential part of what makes Spain Spain. Even though people may complain, fan themselves, and even get a little pink on their shoulders (as Sarah and I have) it doesn't change the love and the ease and the acceptance of these people's relationship with "sol".