遇见马德里生活(2)

遇见马德里生活

Palacio de Cristal is a magic place that you must visit， originally a royal garden made almost entirely of glass. In the shape of a Greek cross， the glass palace stands on a brick base， sparkling and glittering in the sunlight. In front of the entrance to the palace are steps leading down into the large artificial lake of the Retiro Park， which contains freewheeling black swans. A wonder cant help but arise that the world has such an architecture reflecting utmost aesthetic beauty.

THE CENTRE OF ART

Coordinate： Plaza Mayor square

The center of Madrid is really small， as you step sprightly on the slab stonepaved worn surface. Spanish shoemaking techniques have attained perfect fusion of convenience and beauty， and you need a pair of walking shoes when traveling in Madrid. Making your way through the maze of alleyways， you will pass numerous souvenir shops， as postcards or illustrated magazines bearing image of Cristiano Ronaldo or Messi deliver greetings. The Plaza Mayor， a grand arcaded square in the center of Madrid is thronged with tourists in day time， along with street artists performing interesting stories and soldiers riding on solemn-looking horses， a royal flavor lingering in the air. Corridors in the square center house many open-air coffee shops， and you can sit under parasols to sip a cup of coffee. Madrid Tourist Board office is located at the central area of the west flank of the square， with the first floor open to the public. Here， you can make any inquiry and get free tourist handbook and brochures including ones in Chinese； MadridCard available in 24， 48， 72 and 120 hours best fits backpackers and people on self-guides tours.

A FLAMING NIGHT

Coordinate： CORRAL DE LA MORERíA

The book 1000 places to see before you die asked you to watch live flamenco shows in Spain. Despite not in its origin Seville， flamenco dancers crave for performing at the legendary Corral de la Morería， an art palace founded by Ms. Manuel del Rey that has hosted hundreds of artists， dancers and guitarists like Pastora Imperio， La Chunga， María Albaicín， El Güito， Mario Maya and Blanca del Rey. Performer roster is updated every month. When lights illuminated night sky of Madrid， I headed for famed Corral de la Morería. The oldest flamenco show restaurant in Madrid， next to the Royal Palace， I came to its front door a few times during daytime ramble on Plaza Mayor square. Facilities from 18th and 19th century and stage settings reminiscent of flamencos early times stand in the city spot with oldworld charms. I selected the 22：40 show， enjoying beef steak and seafood accompanied by authentic Spanish Champagne and wines. Show began when the lights dimmed. Traditional Tablao Flamenco is performed by guitarists， drummers， singers and dancers on the small platform at front of the restaurant. The strumming of guitars and the intricate steps of dancers brought the room to life.