I lived in Madrid from 1960-1965, and as absolutely sickeningly cliched as it sounds, left a huge piece of my heart there.
I have wonderful memories: the little park outside our apartment on Calle Manuel de Falla, the coat check girl at an Italian restaurant called Pia Montesa our family dined at often (she would let my sister and me play hide and seek among the layers of hanging coats), another restaurant called El Candil (we walked through a long bar on the way to the dining room and there was a tiny room beyond that with 2 pin ball machines--an after dinner treat for my sister and me), flamenco lessons twice a week with Amparo, and the one-eyed gypsy girl who snuck up the service steps to beg at our doors, keeping 2 flights ahead of the huffing and puffing portero, Felix. (We rooted for her to make it to the top and hung over the banister looking up the stairwell to watch her scramble past the persistant Felix as she made her way back down.)
We visited El Prado frequently and were spooked by El Greco's beatific subjects with their long hands and feet.
We idolized the actress/singer, Marisol.
We climbed the rocks at Avila and watched the craftsmen in Toledo.
I can picture the view from the balcony as I write this, the little shops across the way, paneria, lecheria.
In June 2004, I will be 50, and I have promised myself I will spend my birthday in Madrid. Looking over this site, makes that dream more tangible. I read the message posted by Jer for English teachers, so maybe I can do something like that to pay for my living expenses. My goal is to frequent this site over this summer to reconnect with the city where I spent my "Wonder Bread Years." I know it will have changed a great deal in nearly 40 years, and I am excited to see the contemporary Madrid!
I will probably travel alone, a bit daunting, so any tips and words of encouragement are welcomed.
Recuerdo Madrid--<br />Best,<br />Jeanne
Posts: 4 | Location: california | Registered: 04 June 2003
What fun memories you have posted of Spain... you were here about the same time that my father passed through here (he was in the Navy). When I told him I was moving to Spain, his reaction was... "What?? You are moving to Spain to be poor?" (I suppose it was his very limited exposure to Spain that led him to believe that the majority of the people were poor here.
When my parents came to visit last summer, my father was completed amazed at how different the country is from 40 years ago... His reaction... "wow! this is like the United States! And I think the highway system is even better than the USA!"
So Jeanne, cherish your memories and then prepare yourself for the adventure of a life time!
What certainly hasn�t changed is the magical charm that Spain, and Madrid specifically, works on all of its visitors!
Jeanne, you have found a great resource and some wonderful people here to share your passion ( and vibrant) memories of Spain! Welcome to the group. I absolutely loved reading your post. I could just picture it myself. Your future trip to Madrid will be amazing...for sure!
Posts: 146 | Location: New York City | Registered: 29 June 2001
Jeanne, Welcome! You will certainly love this board and particularly our great host, Jeremy! He knows everything about Madrid, and has the best sense of humor, ever. The majority of our members are young people,they are fun, full of life, and most of all they are very kind to those of us that have been around a bit!
I too am 50 and I returned to Spain in 2001 after 30 years or so. Be prepared to see a lot of change, all for the better! The people seem happier and more ebullient. But, despite the obvious changes, Madrid remains the Lady of Spain, beautiful, mysterious, well dressed and a lot of fun. El Corte Ingles is still marvelous,but now it has evolved into a megastore. The Prado has not changed much, with the exception of the giftstores. But, Madrid has added quite a few beautiful museums!
Anyway, I hope you get to go for your 50th birthday!
So glad you joined our "fun" group! :l: Do join our Sunday Chats, they are a lot of fun!
Posts: 697 | Location: Florida | Registered: 24 August 2001
Hi, everyone. Thanks for the warm welcome. I did notice that as Booklady says
quote:
The majority of our members are young people,they are fun, full of life,
and I am grateful that
quote:
most of all they are very kind to those of us that have been around a bit.
Jer asked why wait 40 years-- Well, to quote Robert Frost:
"Two roads diverged in yellow wood, and I- I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference."
At this time in my life I am approaching another fork in the road, and I'm not sure why the pull to Madrid has remained so strong-- returning has seemed like such a luxury, but I deserve it!
So, TubbyMurphy, the park is still on C. Manuel de Falla? I loved getting that information and am hungry for more. Is my old apartment building (Numero 3) still there? What part of town is it in? My parents are no longer around to ask, and I have tried to locate the street on an online map, but can't remember what part of the city it is in. I have so many questions about that neighborhood and general area of the city. I'm going to try to dig up some old photos to share with everyone, and if anyone has some recent photos of that street, I'd love to see them.
I will have to try to get in on the Sunday chats.
Thanks again, everyone!
Recuerdo Madrid--<br />Best,<br />Jeanne
Posts: 4 | Location: california | Registered: 04 June 2003
Thanks for the photos. What a great resource. My heart did flip flops when I saw them. If they rebuilt, the building is very similar to what I remember, long balconies, and the windows are in exactly the right places. In fact, one shot shows cement posts bordering the little park area that are really similar to the ones we used to leap frog over to the rhyme of some children's ditty.
I guess I haven't visited because I did not want to spend the money on a too short visit, and life obligations got in the way of a longer visit.
Better late than never though!
Recuerdo Madrid--<br />Best,<br />Jeanne
Posts: 4 | Location: california | Registered: 04 June 2003
Hey Jeanne, I TOTALLY agree with you on that better late than never thought
Glad you loked seeing it all again.
quote:
If they rebuilt, the building is very similar to what I remember, long balconies, and the windows are in exactly the right places
I think they may have conserved the structure of the building and just refurbished it. They do this a lot and that would explain the windows and cement posts being where they were.
If it to personal, ignore the question.
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