Life's been put to a halt for most Londoners. It's been snowing for at least 24hrs now and it doesn't seem like it'll stop anytime soon. Most public transportation have been suspended. Looks like London isn't made for such extreme weather.
Right in front of my doorstep.
It's one big white blanket wherever I look, through the window. I'm not complaining :) I've no appointments, no deadlines, only one too many episodes of HK dramas to complete. Poor Stevie on the other hand has a truckload of work to do - at least he's working at the comfort of home.
Snowfight, anyone?
I love snow. I love the smell, the sight and the touch of snow. Despite experiencing (heavy) snow for the third time, it never fails to make me giggle like a schoolgirl. There's nothing like real snow! I have a strong urge to plop on the snow blanket and start making snow angels and squirm around on those soft fluffy snow. What freedom! Then again, conscience keeps on telling me that there might be a pile or two dog poo lying around discreetly or passerby's might think I'm a little cuckoo for acting all 'jakun' over snow. (Hey! Give the girl a break, she's from 'where snow has not gone' Malaysia!)
Stevie's lame attempt at a miniature snowman and having a 'dip' in snow.
More weather report coming your way.
♥, Lent, who's braved -15 degrees in wintry Prague.
packing a handful of Madrid into one tiny cuppa | 08:59
I haven't been away incase you're wondering. Apart from the Madrid trip during Easter, I've been back in London since, soaking up the fickle minded April weather. Couple weeks back, it was snowing here and mind you, it's not light snow but it was heavy pouring 'stand under the sky and you will become a snowman' sort of snow. It settled on ground, on cars, on trees, on trash bins. It also marks yours truly's very first encounter with thick white snow. Just as I whipped out the camera, it decided to go haywire on me. For some very peculiar reason, the pictures decided to turn purple all over. Following up is good ol' hail storm last weekend which lasted for 10 whole minutes and I can never forget the amount of people that could fit under a bus stop shelter.
Madrid, oh Madrid.. all about the Campo Cruz, the Sangrias and Chor Dai Dee.
I had the most amazing time especially at the Metro stations :) It's one fine way to trick everyone that I was at each of those areas but in reality, I could have just stopped at every stations on that particular line just for a snapshot.
More Madrid highlights ahead...
Sol is the heart of Madrid. If you ask me, its also where the tourists aim to go the very moment they step foot in Madrid (tourists = Steve & I). It's a happening place whereby everything food, shopping, performances and large public areas for loittering are largely available for your disposal :p This place is filled with energy and you can feel it the moment you step out of the Metro station. Despite the touristy appeal, I think Sol defines Madrid and makes it unique.
The first night we were out in Sol, the main streets were jam packed with people. We had no idea what was going on but being the hero and heroine that we were, we decided to 'monkey see monkey do' just so we wouldn't miss out on any good stuff. After waiting for 2 whole hours and still not willing to give up, finally there was dead silence for a couple of seconds and the bells in the nearby church started ringing. It was a religious procession on Good Friday. All I can say that the Spaniards are definitely keeping the faith alive. It also helps if you live smack in one of the flats on the main streets and should there be any parades or such, you just have to fix yourself a nice glass of Sangria, step out to your (super tiny) balcony and look down/up/left/right.
The pointy hats and robes reminds me of a certain clan although there's definitely no relation at all. I wonder which sanction of Christianity does this particular practice belongs to.
The highlight of the procession was them carrying out the huge cross and holy statues out from the church. Although it was all done in a rather s-l-o-w manner. *Note Steve's expression after hours and hours of waiting. Facial spasm, some may say.
Plaza Mayor may be 'just another' public area in Madrid but I absolutely love this place. It's smack in the heart of Sol and this is where it all comes alive. Street performances, restaurants, cafes and most importantly, the architecture.... Breath taking. I've probably not mentioned this but what amazes me most is the architecture in Madrid. The placement of the buildings and its silhouette creates such picturesque view. Every corner you turn to, especially during sunset, open your eyes to a mind blowing sight.
Street performances are abundance in Sol but all of them exudes such quality. I mean I've seen quite a few in Covent Garden but to be honest, nothing to rave about. When I saw wind blown man, I couldn't help but broke into laughter for a good 10 minutes. He didn't even have to do anything but pose as it is. Quality indeed!
Retiro Park where fairytales and myths come to live in your wishful mind. What made it more even more beautiful than it already is, is the sun. The sun was out and nothing better than a sunny breezy day
Palacio Real, the Royal Palace where we got reprimanded for taking pictures indoor. Ahh... so many secrets to hide. Grand and avant garde are words to describe the palace, both in and out. As my dad would say, 'it's the looting that made the Spanish empire rich'. Well, no doubt in that since they were many grand halls in the palace decorated with one too many Chinese urns. I wonder if there's any remains in the urns.
Tapas is the Spanish word for food to me. What do you eat in Spain? Tapas, tapas and more tapas. Tortilla espanol, chorizo, champignon..... anytime anywhere only in Spain. Unfortunately, we have one too many dishes of chorizo and other cured ham, on day 4, I decided to put a stop to the overflowing oil content in my vein. For all you 'lap cheong' lovers out there, do try as much of the cured sausages and ham in Madrid.
*Note the paella menu & signboard, just beware of any establishments displaying these. We ordered one of the squid ink paella and was so disappointed to a point of no return. Imagine frozen paella - taste almost like that. Just be careful. *On a more positive note, if you do go to Madrid, do make a trip to La Camocha which is in La Latina, I think - serving the best Fabada Asturia and roast chicken Spanish style :)
Art in Madrid is like english tea in England. Refined and so cultural lah! The art museums and gallery in the Golden Triangle are the popular ones - Padro , Sofia Reina and I forgot (cause we didn't manage to make a trip there). As much as I love art although mostly pop art and renaissance, two hours of Picasso left me mind boggled. I don't know above Steve but it is rather difficult to understand the likes of Picasso whereby the eyes are the ears and the mouth is the nose etc. Abstract me no more, por favor!
Real Madrid stadium. For Steve, enough said.
Flamenco almost gave me heart attack. I always thought it was a soft dance but how wrong I was. I think its more of a strong dance displaying strong characters. At the speed that they were dancing, I swore they must have burnt a couple thousand of calories in one show alone.
Plaza de Toros on a Sunday is historical. I think it was mostly because bull fights were held mostly on Sundays hence the crowd. It was a pity we couldn't attend the bull fight cause we were to catch out flight back to London on Sunday evening. Although we didn't get to go into the ring, you can almost feel the energy from outside.
In a nutshell, Madrid was one heck of a cultural trip. It would even more cultural if I spoke Spanish. Next mission, to take up Spanish and learn to speak more than just 'Tengo mucho hambre' (I am very hungry!).
We're off to the 02 arena in Greenwich tonight for the Cirque du Soliel - Delirium performance.
A Malaysian working holiday maker who promises not to speak with a Brit accent after just 16 months (and counting!) living in London. Out of her comfort zone and in with new surroundings from the land of Goodness Gracious Me.
** Best read with a cuppa nice hot Milo or English tea. Drop me an email at absolutbliss@gmail.com if you share my love for Milo :)
