Sunday Stuff 7-2-23
Spanish Stuff
Coming Back to Spain
Spain has become my go-to European location for the last year. We used to come and go to Barcelona, but typically to jump on a cruise ship heading for the Mediterranean. Then last year, we decided to jump on a high-speed train to Madrid to visit the city since we had never been. Somewhere between the Atocha train station and our hotel in Plaza Espana we became smitten with Madrid. Barcelona has it’s charms, but to me Madrid is the whole package. The history and grandiosity of its buildings, the elegant public works, the abundance of artists, the amazing foods….We just wanted to get lost in Madrid. So much so that we cancelled all of our scheduled plans for the last Holiday Season and spent 2 1/2 weeks in Madrid exploring its neighborhoods, parks, museums, food halls, and other treasures. So this week we flew back to Madrid and spent a day visiting some of our haunts, took in an amazing Flamenco show, drank copious amounts of white wine at our favorite wine bar and joined hundreds of thousands of people celebrating Pride (Orgullo) all over the city.
So fair warning that this week’s Sunday Stuff is going to be a briefer version, but hopefully it will lead to more fun Stuff in the coming weeks.
For the Love of Flamenco
I had no idea how much I enjoy Flamenco.
Flamenco is part of the cultural tapestry of Spain, but with a long and somewhat complicated history. Here is an excellent article that covers some excellent ground about the history of this iconic art form. Last Christmas we took the Devour Tours Tapas and Flamenco tour. We had wanted to see a Flamenco show so I figured that at least we’d get food out of it if we didn’t like the Flamenco. So after some nice Tapas stops our guide (a classically trained ballerina) took us to her favorite Tablao. The power of the performances that night were somewhat breathtaking and I was hooked. When we came home I started downloading Flamenco Guitar playlists and that has become a staple of our home listening during the day and evening when I’m cooking or cleaning or creating.
Last evening we booked tickets to the Flamenco Real performance which takes place in a “ Tablao “ that is created in a performance space in the Royal Theater (Teatro Real). This show was very different. The dance was more intense, the vocals from the three women were much stronger and poignant and the guitarist was a true treat. Fortunately, the guitarist was given a 10 minute solo performance time on his own. The Flamenco artist, Eduardo Guerrero, was incredible. His movements were very refined and often he was pretty playful and I would even say borderline flirting with the guitarist.
If you are ever in Madrid I would recommend you look for the Flamenco Real program at Teatro Real. It is a temporary program offered by the Theater and it isn’t set up that often, but boy was it value for money.
Orgullo en Madrid (Madrid Pride)
Through No Planning on My Part we wound up in Madrid on Pride Weekend. Since our hotel is located directly across from the Plaza de Espana it was a major gathering point for one of the MANY pride celebrations taking place this weekend.
Last year we were struck by the number of Rainbow banners and flags we saw in so many stores. It was just normal, part of the every day. This year however, I think they doubled down. The Rainbow theme and the whole concept of Pride and Inclusion seems to be woven into the whole city and also supported fully at a National Level. Government buildings were draped in banners and flags, Burger King was giving away rainbow fans to their patrons (actually we saw lots of different branded rainbow fans) and even the Ham Shop filled with two rough-looking butcher types was flying a banner outside their tiny door.
Wandering the city last night you are struck by how the whole city and the neighborhoods within are unified in their celebrations. We were walking the streets with hundreds of thousands of people out celebrating. There were stages of drag queens scattered all around with thousands watching performances and dancing.
You are literally struck by the contrast of the inclusiveness after watching night after night of U.S. craziness banning drag and some groups desperately clinging to rolling the progress of the last 50 years backwards.
The other thing you notice is the street wasn’t riddled with people shoving sexual extremes down your throat (pardon the pun). I didn’t see one pair of ass-less chaps or bulging shorts with no shirts, etc. It was young people and older people and multi-generational families out together.
So If you want to experience a different Pride, I would say come to Madrid next Summer.
Just one corner of Madrid walking through the streets on Pride Weekend.
That’s All The Stuff Folks….
We are about to pull in to Barcelona Sants Station and we have a busy afternoon ahead. Look at my social pages (mostly Instagram) for more content this week and I’ll see you next Sunday
