A diversity of arts, beautiful parks, architecture and the most relaxed individuals I have ever met defined my time in Madrid as well as endless hours of sleep that I will never live down!!!! When I say "relaxed" I mean it! In my experience Australians, Americans and the Chinese will impatiently hurry across the road when the red man is flashing. Not Madrileños! They will stand without any hint of urgency and wait until that green man appears. And even when he does some still don’t move!
A local soccer game, sightseeing, many tapas and wandering antics later, I believe my favourite day in Madrid was Sunday the 15th when I woke up and decided it was time to go for a walk in the Parque del Retiro. As I step outside into the freezing morning air I contemplate for a second running back up the 5th floor of my attic bedroom to put on a few more layers but decide against the idea. I'm itching to photograph!!
Later that afternoon, Lani and I meet at Museo del Prado for some artistic inspiration from the likes of Francisco Goya. I barely read the image explanations that are usually written on plaques beside the paintings. Rather I indulge in the flawless technique of the artists' brush, unable to see anything other than crazed perfection. I found the images and logic behind Goyas’ “Black Paintings” disturbingly fantastic.
Have a look: http://eeweems.com/goya/black_paintings.html
Inspired by my surroundings, the idea of a photo shoot soon evolved and I couldn’t help but wish that my Sydney based make up artist, Noon Willows, was with me to discuss it. I will go as far as saying it involves a lot of blood, gore, thorns and a bath and of course a subject (right up your ally Noon – get the prosthetics ready!).
I left Museo del Prado utmost inspired to create a mess! Lani and I then lay in the sun outside, zoning out to a Spanish guitarist and NOT having another siesta! We then recollected our thoughts and made way to the metro, it was time to head to Lalatina for the Madrid festival (and more tapas).
En route to La Latina we made a short detour to Plaza Mayor, a stunning colonnaded square built in the 17th century when the Habsburgs ruled Spain and most of Europe. In the middle, a statue of Madrid’s Patron saint, La Virgen de la Almuedena. I had been here a few times before and previously photographed a group of beautiful children being entertained by the bubble man. Jacqui, you will love these!
We then made our way through the streets where we indulged in the divine taste of festivities and of course, tapas! Diego called and I agreed to meet him near the plaza. On my way I found these guys wearing the traditional Madrileño costume known as a "chulapo" which comes from the word "chulo" – a typical dress with the men wearing a flat check cap, waistcoat and handkerchief around their necks.
The heat of the day and the extra 10kg’s I had just added on were kicking in. Children were screaming with excitement in their cute outfits, running amok – clearly drunk on the hype of festive excitement.
A few days earlier I met up with my friend, Pete, who found his home in Madrid over five years ago. Pete took me to his part of town, La latina, which he describes as the "Surry Hills" of Madrid. We met another friend of his for coffee at his cafe where I found the walls and chairs to be amazingly colorful!
Continuing on, Diego and I made our way to Casa De Campo where we caught a distant glimpse of flamenco dancers and the falling sun in the west. Then it was back on the scooter and off to the Palacio Real de Madrid where my frustration got the better of me – I am only carrying a 50mm lens – no good for trying to photograph a palace the size of the moon! And at the end of the day, no photo could possibly do justice to this phenomenal landmark, not even the wide angle I so desired. So I shot the bread man instead.
In conclusion, we should all live like the Madrileños, get up at 10am, have lunch at 5pm, dinner at 11pm, go out at 1am and wait until the green man flashes.
