Today friends Sam and Carol arrived in Madrid from Missouri on their way to Santiago to walk to Finisterra. It was good to catch up for breakfast prior to their travel on to Santiago.
Following breakfast we headed to the Mecardo de San Miguel to view the massive array of tapas. Timing there was great as we arrived at opening time just ahead of the usual crowds.
We then visited the Church of St James and John the Baptist which is the starting point of the Camino de Madrid. While the exterior is not impressive, the interior is something else again wth many statues of the Madonna and of course the usual St James with hat, shell, staff and gourd.
Leaving the church we ran into a parade by the police to the Royal Palace which included bikes, cars, horses, dogs and helicopters. The snipers positioned on high points on the palace and cathedral were a little off-putting.
The remainder of the morning was spent visiting the modern Madrid Cathedral and visiting a shop that sold religious accoutrements, statues, shrines and vestments.
After lunch we visited the Parque de El Retiro and wandered back to our accommodation by the elegant streets.
Apart from the police snipers the most unusual thing seen were the police dogs in the parade riding on car bonnets.
Great set of photos. Cute and noble police hound, yummy food, fine law-and-order riding, and oh––a central indicator for the purpose of the trip––the Path of Saint James.
Sounds like a wonderful start. Would have liked a photo of the police snipers . . . Maybe when you meet some brigands you can photograph them.