A GUIDEPOST REPRINT: “WHAT’S IN A NAME: WALKING THROUGH HISTORY”, 8 JUNE 1990 »
I still travel through the backstreets of Madrid with city plan close at hand. But at every opportunity I carry “Los Nombres de las Calles de Madrid” and let myself get lost – lost in the rich, exciting history that was, is and continue to be Madrid. The book is more than mere recited facts: it is an historical perspective of Madrid during many phases of its development, peppered with insights into tradition, customs and culture. It is a fascinating compendium of personalities, historical, mythical, religious, aristocratic and legendary figures, as well as geographical locations, trades, important battles and other well-placed events, which have all lent their names and distinction to the Spanish capital.
SPAIN, NOVEMBER 2019: A ROAD TO THE FAR RIGHT »
The radical right is “a political ideology, the core element of which is a myth of a homogeneous nation, a romantic and populist ultranationalism which is directed against the concept of liberal and pluralistic democracy. . . It wants government by the people, but in terms of ethnocracy instead of democracy.” Thus, one of the biggest political stories in Spain these days, as a young but stable demo crary, is the sudden and perplexing rise of the reactionary far-right Vox party. In the 10 November 2019 snap election, Vox won no less than 15.09% of the vote. Overnight, it has become Spain’s third largest parliamentary party. Should Spain — and Europe — begin to worry?
MADRID’S REAL JARDIN BOTANICO WILL TURN INTO AN ENCHANTED GARDEN THIS HOLIDAY SEASON! »
Friends, lovers, families, and solitary promenaders will adore “Las Luces del Real Jardín Botánico – Christmas Garden.” An enchanting event in a natural landscape — the Royal Botanical Garden, Madrid. It’s Christmas fairy tale all the way. Christmas lights and special light effects heighten the beauty of the magical spots that the Real Jardin is so rich with. The after-dark trail is 1.5 km long, lit up by countless led bulbs in their amazing sizes, shapes and colors.
AN AMERICAN CLUB INVITE. IT’S ABOUT THANKSGIVING! »
The American Club of Madrid is excited to celebrate this traditional American event with our friends and families. Join us and share the joy of the special evening on the 28th of November!
STATESIDE STORIES: Dems Determine Rules for Inquiry while Trump Fights “Deep State” »
The US House of Representatives voted on Halloween to spook Trump with a 232 to 196 vote on endorsing the Democrat-led impeachment inquiry and set up a new public phase of the investigation. House speaker, Democrat Nancy Pelosi, presided over the vote and said “what is at stake in all of this is nothing less than our democracy.” Republicans in the House were united in defense of President Trump, describing the inquiry as secretive and unfair. Moreover, Trump says the “Deep State” — that is, the Washington bureaucracy — has been against him since his election in 2016.
BOTIN: TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT BUT IT’S THE OLDEST AND ONE OF THE BEST RESTAURANTS IN THE WORLD! »
The Guinness World Records deems it the oldest restaurant in the world. Some dispute the title, claiming other restaurants have been there longer. But Jose “Pepe” Gonzalez, one of the proprietors of the fabled restaurant, does not mind. He credits its success to the quality of the food, the service and the ambiance. The bottom line, really, is that Sobrino de Botín is a formidable mix of great food, good vibes and a most fascinating history. The result is a much-deserved global fame that Pepe, a consummate restaurateur, seems to take in his stride.
TASTE YOUR EMOTION WITH FEDERICO CAPOVILLA »
Salumificio Verza dates back to the early 1900s when legendary grandfather Antonio, known as “Verza”, used to butcher cattle and pigs bred in the valley. This ancestor would preserve the meat in caves filled with snow and ice that he himself would collect in his cart from the Fiorentini Highlands. The family traditions in the butchery trade, which has begun in Velo d’ Astico, Italy in 1968, contines today with the same passion, tradition, and quality of cured meat products.
THE GREEN TRAIN HURTLES DOWN TO ITS 100TH BIRTHDAY LIKE THE CHAMP THAT IT IS »
On 17 October 1919 King Alfonso XIII of Spain inaugurated the capital’s first ever subway line. It went from under the Puerta del Sol in the center of the city up 3.48 kilometers north to Cuatro Caminos. A century later, the fledgling underground transport system of a measly eight stations boasts 12 lines and 302 stations, spanning 294 kilometers. It is the third longest subway in Europe, and the world’s eighth. It is a vanguard of accessibility with its 1705 escalators and 530 lifts. It has always run on electrciity, even long before saving our Planet via the clean-air route has become an urgent task!
THE AMERICAN CLUB OF MADRID’S HAPPY HOUR: AN INVITATION TO FUN & NETWORKING! »
The American Club of Madrid is happy to invite its members and non-members of all nationalities for fun and networking during its 12th November 2019 Happy Hour. Accepting is the key to a great start-off for Autumn in Madrid.
A Second Opinion: Fantastic Fall Foliage »
“Why don’t they let the leaves stay on the ground, so they can dance and skip and play around? They’ve done their work; they’ve had their day, so why not let them stay and play?”
