Last Visit to the Cathedral
We did an early check-out from the hotel, and left our luggage for safe-keeping at the concierge while we did some last minute sight-seeing. Usually there is a small fee to enter the Cathedral, but since it was a Sunday, we did not have to pay the entrance fee. Once inside, you will understand why it is called the "Dame" of the Spanish Cathedrals. Its magnificent Gothic exterior is combined with a surprisingly bare interior but containing numerous art treasures. The inside of the cathedral is illuminated by a 16-century Flemish window, then the walls and apse are lined with more than 20 chapels. Photography is discouraged inside the cathedral, so after one picture, I discreetly stashed away my camera.
Bola at Bolero :)
After our cathedral visit, me and Rey went back to the hotel to get our bags. On our way out, we saw Mama conversing with the lady peddling in front of the Cathedral. At first I was thinking, that maybe the lady is trying to "coerce" Mama into buying her stuff. However, it was the opposite :) My mom was haggling like a local, and in Spanish at that! Bilib!
Do you see that curious figure in blue? That's Mama!
Something must have caught her fancy.
Mastering the Art of Haggling
Haggling is a needed everyday skill for everyone and quite essential for a traveler, lest it's okay for you to always leave a shop/store/market with a festering feeling of frustration that you were ripped-off.
Some time-tested bartering tactics
Mama and her actual conversation with the lady,
Mama: Cuanto cuesta esto?
Lady: Quinse
Mama: Podria bajar un poco el precio?
Lady: Si.
Mama: Puedo ocho?
Lady: No, dies?
(Mama does the "walk")
Vendor: Aqui, aqui ocho!
And so the story of the lovely bolero :) A Canadian tourist was so amused with Mama, that she really approached her to say that Mama got a good deal. The Canadian bought hers from the other stall for 15 Euros!
Crocheted bolero...The bolero worth dying...este haggling for
Bola at Bolero :)
After our cathedral visit, me and Rey went back to the hotel to get our bags. On our way out, we saw Mama conversing with the lady peddling in front of the Cathedral. At first I was thinking, that maybe the lady is trying to "coerce" Mama into buying her stuff. However, it was the opposite :) My mom was haggling like a local, and in Spanish at that! Bilib!
Do you see that curious figure in blue? That's Mama!Something must have caught her fancy.
Haggling is a needed everyday skill for everyone and quite essential for a traveler, lest it's okay for you to always leave a shop/store/market with a festering feeling of frustration that you were ripped-off.
Some time-tested bartering tactics
- If you're a tourist, try not to appear "clueless". Always try to speak the local dialect or language
- Be poker-faced and don't accept the first price, and ask if it's the final price. If the seller says it is, then...
- Do the "go-away-but-you-can-still-stop-me" walk
- If the "walk" works, be gracious and buy the item you want (in bulk if possible, if you asked for a ridiculously low-price).
- If the "walk" does not work, then simply go-away (Basi mabun-an ka na ;) )
Mama and her actual conversation with the lady,
Mama: Cuanto cuesta esto?Lady: Quinse
Mama: Podria bajar un poco el precio?
Lady: Si.
Mama: Puedo ocho?
Lady: No, dies?
(Mama does the "walk")
Vendor: Aqui, aqui ocho!
And so the story of the lovely bolero :) A Canadian tourist was so amused with Mama, that she really approached her to say that Mama got a good deal. The Canadian bought hers from the other stall for 15 Euros!
Crocheted bolero...The bolero worth dying...este haggling for 
Lady: Grabe, bilib na ko sa guts sini!Mama: Daw ka hugot gid ka agbay haw?
After a successful barter, we walked to Estacion de Autobuses Ezequi Gonzalez (Segovia Bus Station).
Last glimpse of the Aqueducto at the Plaza of Azoguejo
The bus station in Segovia. On Sundays the bus to Madrid, departs only every hour.
Salamat, salamat Lonely Planet! Because of you,nakabakal ako bolero.
Jose who hesatites ;-)(this amused us,while we were having cafe-con-leche as we waited for the bus)
Madrid
Getting There
We arrived at Principe Pio in Madrid at 1:30pm from Segovia. From there we took the Metro to Nuevos Ministerios (Line 8). By the way, Nuevos is the last stop for Line 8 coming from the airport. Hence, from here you make the needed Metro transfers to reach your destination in Madrid.
For us, we still had to take Line 10 to Tribunal, then Line 1 to Gran Via. Our hotel was conveniently located near the Gran Via, and a few steps away from the Metro stop.
Where to Stay
Hotel Anaco- I have Lonely Planet to thank for this suggestion. This 3-star hotel has the best location! It's not false advertisement from their website, for it really is a walk away from Puerta del Sol, the Gran Via, etc. The staff are very helpful and would go out of their way to assist a traveler. And most of all...it is not over-priced! Great price,amazing location.
As soon as we got settled inside our hotel room and had the needed shut-eye, me and Rey still felt energized to do an initial exploration of the city. Mama was content to just have her siesta :)
So first stop, to Real Madrid Football Stadium!
Estadio Santiago Bernabéu
If you are a football fan, you should not miss to visit the Real Madrid's home, the Bernabeu football stadium in the Chamartín distric of Madrid, Spain. "The Bernabéu is one of the world's most famous and prestigious venues. It hosted the European Cup final three times, in 1957, 1969 and 1980, and is scheduled to host the 2010 final. The finals for the 1964 European Nations' Cup and the 1982 World Cup have also been held at the Bernabéu." (More info here)
Buying our tickets(*14.50 Euros/person, a bit duur, but worth it for fans like us :) )
There are "Normal" and "Guided" tours available. Of course the latter costs more. Upon entering the stadium, after the security check you will be led to the elevator which will bring you to the top for a panoramic view of the stadium. The tour begins from there and then you only need to follow the arrows if on the self-guided tour. It includes a visit to the field of play, the trophies exhibition, the VIP section, the Press room, a view of the dressing rooms among others and ends at the "Tienda"
"Tour Map"
Someday...
The best football club of the 20th century as voted by FIFA
I was so engrossed staring at the gigantic trophies, when Rey called out my attention with a sense of urgency so unlike him :) "Parts, parts, look what I found!"
A Filipino player in Real Madrid!!!
Teus ng Filipinas!On our travels, it never fails to delight us, when we see or read something about the Philippines...
Header!(Zinedine Zidane you're still my number 1! Second lang si Kaka ah :)
@ the VIP area*so this is how they roll ;-)
with the other VIPs
the Dressing Room
Oh yes, I paid to see how Zidane pees :p
Press Room
Happy Fans!After the visit to the stadium, we headed back to the hotel. Bought some take out from the nearby KFC where I had an interesting conversation with a Pinoy crew (A lot of kababayans in Madrid! ) Hit the sacks early for tomorrow is another day of gallivanting :)
