Madrid
Any and everything about the fascinating capital city of Spain — and the Autonomous Community of Madrid — from its rich history through its vibrant present to what the future holds, recounted from every angle imaginable.
This category, however, goes beyond Madrid; it embraces stories of what occurred, are occurring, and will probably occur in the Spanish nation whose capital is Madrid.
MADRID: MYSTICAL GARDENS OF THE EAST BECKON TO VISITORS »
You simply can’t give these a miss! Not when they cause fresh breezes from exotic lands to blow into the scalding heat of Madrid summer! We are referring to the two garden exhibitions courtesy of Casa Asia: THE BLACK ZEN GARDEN and THE LAUGHTER OF THE FLOWERS.
NATO SUMMIT SPAWNS FREE BUS RIDE »
FREE RIDE on EMT buses throughout the city of Madrid during the NATO Summit from the 28th to the 30th of June. The measure is in line with the plan of the Madrid City Council to momentarily wean users from private vehicles that will not only snarl up traffic but will also make the enforcement of security measures for the Summit all the more complicated. Passengers may use their transport pass to take the bus without the ride being charged against the pass. Or, if the passenger has no transport pass, the bus driver will issue a free ticket.
A GUIDEPOST REPRINT: “PACO: THE DOG WHO ADOPTED MADRID,” 17 May 1968 »
Paco was not a pedigreed, aristocratic dog such as those that used to swagger down the Prado with their haughty masters. But Paco was an exceptional dog. He had a sharp eye for benefactors such as the Marqués de Bogaraya. As the marquis ate regularly in Fornos, so Paco too would drop in at dinner time and be assured of at least a modest meal and not a few pats on the head. Paco might have continued his libertine life to ripe old dogdom had he not been the unfortunate victim of an amateur novillero who was making a mess of his bull. The spectators were indignant and Paco jumped into the arena, ran up to the clumsy amateur and barked at him from closer range. The matador, furious at the bull, the public and specially at the nagging dog, directed his sword at Paco and ran him through with one thrust. Paco died. His death constituted a veritable day of mourning in Madrid.
TWA Layovers: Del Hotel Plaza al Cielo »
During my thirty years as a TWA flight attendant, I spent many a layover at the Hotel Plaza. Whether coming off a new Boeing 707 in the sixties, the whale-sized 747 in the eighties or a sleek 767 in the nineties, the Plaza was my home away from home. The hotel was nestled inside the Edificio España, wrapped in a cozy cocoon of cafeterias, bars, restaurants and watering holes that catered to all tastes. There always seemed to be fruit floating in the water of the pool in the top floor from someone's sangria. And once in a while, a naked Maja was seen running across the balcony chased by a Don Juan Tenorio.
MEET THE NEW TOURIST ATTRACTION AT PLAZA ESPAÑA »
Since opening last 8 April, the Zara megastore at Plaza España has been converted, perhaps inadvertently – or is it? – into a tourist attraction! This Zara, and its sister-store Stradivarius on the west wing of Edificio España, were the first Inditex stores to be opened immediately after heiress Marta Ortega assumed her post as Chairperson of Inditex, the world's largest apparel retailer. The inauguration of this Zara marks Marta Ortega’s debut in the stratosphere of Inditex’s hierarchy.
THE REMARKABLE DOS DE MAYO HEROISM AND THE UGLY PANDEMIC DEBRIS »
Finally, the Madrileños can once again celebrate Dos de Mayo. Join them in commemorating how they liberated Madrid from the French imperial forces. These days when it’s coming out that undesirable elements of Madrid society have enriched themselves during the pandemic, it’s good to remember that the great majority of the Madrileños are noble-spirited and quite capable of heroism in the face of adversity.
COME RAIN. . .OR COME SHINE! »
THE rain in Spain stays mainly on the plain… but if a few stray showers should sprinkle Madrid´s streets, Casa de Diego will happily see to it that all men, women and children are appropriately armed to fight the torrents. Founded in 1858 at Puerta del Sol, customers pack the premises… even with sunny skies overhead.
YOUNG AND IN NEED OF FREE ACCESS TO CULTURE? JOBO WILL OBLIGE! »
To be culture maven you've got to start early. Free tickets to temples of culture help. In Madrid, that's JOBO, for you.
AMERICAN CLUB OF MADRID JANUARY 2022 NEWSLETTER »
With their JANUARY NEWSLETTER, the American Club of Madrid wishes everybody A HAPPY NEW YEAR!
AMERICAN CLUB OF MADRID NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2021 »
ACM NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2021: "Happy Hour" <> "Special Dates in December" <> "What Taxpayers Should Know. . ." <> "Important Dates in December" <> "Christmas Cookies" <> etc. etc. etc.
