Madrid: A rich and unique multicultural environment and a treasure for art lovers.
Spain is most appreciated for its beaches: in Mallorca, Ibiza, the Canaries, the Mediterranean, and the Atlantic, but there is much more to see and enjoy
For a Latin American, Spain is a country that marks a before and after, full of myths and legends. Unlike the relationship between the US and the UK, that of Spain and the Spanish-speaking countries is charged with feelings of love and hate: it is somehow part of our DNA.
I traveled to Spain for the first time in the early 80s. Since then, more than 40 years ago, I have continued to enjoy every visit: walking along its boulevards and parks, enjoying the museums, opera, theaters, bars, and restaurants full of that extraordinary character of its people:
- The first thing that impressed me in my relationship with the people of Madrid is the apparent lack of room for interpretations: things are either black or white, without nuances. This usually represents a barrier for Latin Americans, accustomed to relaxed and open-minded talks.
- Public transport in Madrid offers excellent coverage and space to observe natives' behavior: it is their favorite transport to commute from home to work. There, you can witness locals having a passionate conversation (via mobile or face-to-face) without paying attention to the people around them. Another deep-rooted custom is to read (on boards or paperbacks) while on the subway or train, and they can still do it standing up without being disturbed by the noise and movements of the passengers.
- The Art Triangle, also called the Golden Triangle, located in the Paseo del Prado area, is a must-see in Madrid. The Prado, Thyssen-Bornemisza, and Reina Sofía museums are exceptional:
From: https://www.nebrija.com/medios/hispanicosnebrija/know-what-is-the-triangulo-del-arte-en-madrid/, I quote:
If you like Spanish art, in the Museo del Prado you will be able to find works by renowned authors such as El Greco, Velázquez, Murillo, and Goya. On the other hand, in the Reina Sofía Museum there are master painters such as Picasso, Salvador Dalí and Joan Miró who exhibit their paintings together with many other Spanish artists.
Finally, we have the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, which was inaugurated to reinforce the area’s artistic offer and which covered the gaps (chronological and style) left by the collections of the other two centers. It is thanks to the opening of this last museum in 1992 that this area of the Prado is given the name Triangle of Art, initially suggested by the press, and later assumed by the authorities.
- For many sports lovers, soccer being most popular, meeting with friends in bars to follow the classics and have a few beers is their preferred option: the atmosphere is spontaneous and noisy, and you have to be attentive, in particular when Atlético plays Real Madrid because it can degenerate into scenes that border on verbal violence.
- Popular culture in Spain is well-marked by the Arab occupation of the Iberian Peninsula for more than seven centuries. The best examples can be seen in Andalusian music and architecture. Ultimately, it is essential to travel to the south of Spain and visit the Alhambra in Granada, the Mosque of Córdoba, and the Giralda in Seville. In Madrid, you can appreciate a sample of Andalusia's most traditional and typical music: the cante jondo.
Cante jondo is a vocal style in flamenco, an unspoiled form of Andalusian folk music. The name means “deep song” in Spanish, with hondo (“deep”) as a form of eye dialect because traditional Andalusian pronunciation has retained an aspirated H lost in other forms of Spanish.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cante_jondo
An experience that marked and divided Spanish society was the civil war waged between 1936 and 39, in which the Republicans were defeated by the forces of Franco, who ruled the country under a totalitarian regime for more than three decades. The issue remains unresolved, and it is a taboo subject for Spaniards, and Madrid is no exception. I recommend keeping this topic out of the conversation with locals.
Spain has much more to offer tourists than its excellent beaches and its well-earned dedication to service: in its cultural profile of Latin origin, but with a notable Arab influence, in its language and art, in the wealth of its communities: Catalan, Basque, Galician, and Andalusian, and in the beauty of its geography as varied and rich as the character of the Spanish people.
