As my job has become more taxing and given me a harder time, I have made sure to take the time on the weekends to get out of the city a bit. Not huge trips, but at least to take advantage of the fact that I don't work Fridays (I know, hate me all you want!). Here are the two I've tackled since making this decision to travel whenever possible...
Aranjuez -
The site of the spring palace of the Catholic kings, I went here on the train one Friday, my first alone trip of any type. I saw the palace and its grounds, the Plaza de Toros from the outside, and wandered the streets. GREAT little town, I wish I worked there! I'd still be close enough to Madrid to see all my friends, but wouldn't have to deal with the city and the ugliness that is starting to make itself clearer to me...
Chinchón -
The home of anise liquor and apparently really good suckling pig? I headed there with Juliet, one of the lovely neighbors upstairs (from Connecticut) and we wandered the city, known for it's amazing main square, and I decided I could pretty much live there happily. We also caught a menú del día lunch special in which I had the heaviest bean dish ever, salmon (I know, I love to eat fish in landlocked small towns), and flan. Great day out and about, despite her incredible bout of bus sickness.
Aranjuez -
The site of the spring palace of the Catholic kings, I went here on the train one Friday, my first alone trip of any type. I saw the palace and its grounds, the Plaza de Toros from the outside, and wandered the streets. GREAT little town, I wish I worked there! I'd still be close enough to Madrid to see all my friends, but wouldn't have to deal with the city and the ugliness that is starting to make itself clearer to me...
Walking into Aranjuez from the train station
Beautiful Palace!
Looking back at the palace across the gardens
The bullfighting stadium - closed when I was there, but I liked the old look.
Cute streets!
Talked to the ducks in this river for a bit... then realized when you're traveling alone that makes you look crazy...
Chinchón -
The home of anise liquor and apparently really good suckling pig? I headed there with Juliet, one of the lovely neighbors upstairs (from Connecticut) and we wandered the city, known for it's amazing main square, and I decided I could pretty much live there happily. We also caught a menú del día lunch special in which I had the heaviest bean dish ever, salmon (I know, I love to eat fish in landlocked small towns), and flan. Great day out and about, despite her incredible bout of bus sickness.
Kinda too bad the main square also happens to double as a parking lot, but if we were in China it would be a lot worse... Demolished historical site re-created.
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