VISITING MADRID, SPAIN.

Right at the geographical center of the Iberian Peninsula, the capital city of Spain
is center of economics and administration of the country. With a legacy of centuries of fascinating history, art and culture are very important in Madrid life.
The city offers a broad variety of accommodations and services, that combined with the momentum of a society that is dynamic and open, and at the same time warm and welcoming, has turned this metropolis into one of the western world's great capitals.
"El Prado" is the most important of its 73 museums. It has kept for over 175 years,
works enjoyed only by the monarchy before.- With its annex, "El Cason del Buen Retiro", is one of the world's finest galleries; exhibiting paintigs by El Greco, Rubens, Goya, El Bosco and many more.

One of Madrid's better known and busiest places is "La Puerta del Sol" (The Gate of the Sun). It is the center (Kilometer "0") of the radial network of the Spanish roads.- The Square is also where the famous clock that marks with its bells the traditional eating of the twelve grapes, and the beginning of a new year is located.
La Puerta del Sol originated as one of the gates in the wall that surrounded Madrid in the 15th century, and its name came from the rising sun seen from it, since the gate was oriented to the east. Now, a metro station named Sol lies under the Square.

GASTRONOMY.
Since Phillip II made Madrid the capital of Spain, numerous recipes and influences from all regions of the country entered its kitchen. Today, its practically impossible to say which dishes are original and which imported, so Madrid offers more of a Spanish, than a regional cuisine.

In Spain, dinner is served between 9 and 11 pm. (sometimes as late as 12 midight),
leaving significant time between work and dinner. During that time, Spaniards often go "bar hopping" (Spanish: Ir de tapas) and eat tapas before dinner.
Tapas is the name of a variey of appetizers served when you order wine or an alcoholic beverage of some kind. The word "Tapa"means lid, or cover. There are several explanations for the etymology of "tapa", the most commonly cited is that an item, such as bread or a flat card, etc. would often be placed on top of a drink to protect it from fruit flies. At some point, it became a habit to top the drinks with a snack.- Razor thin slices of Serrano ham, chorizo (sausage) and some kind of cheese, are the most popular tapas requested in bars when ordering a beer or a glass of wine.
Madrid has many exceptionally good restaurants; their Chefs rating among the best in the world. Internationally, I believe that the most known Spanish dish is the "Paella". One of my favorites are "gambas" (shrimp) deepen in a vinagreta sauce, covered by floating, finely chopped onion.


Going to a"Tablao Flamenco" should be in your What to do list while visiting
Madrid; where you can dine, drink wine or sangria, and enjoy the Flamenco guitar, singing and dancing. El Corral deLa Moreria, is considered to be one of the most famous in the world. Get there early. About half a block away, is a bar where you can sample some very good tapas with a glass of wine, in a very pleasant ambience while waiting for The Corral to open it's doors.

LOOKING AT CENTRAL AMERICA.

In the geographical Central America, there are seven countries, but only five of them constitute he entity that has been trying to unite into a Federation, following the political structure of the U.S.A.
Belice, once part of Guatemala at the extreme north, and leased to the U.K., becoming a Colony, was granted independence not too long ago; and Panama at the extreme south, once a part of Colombia and later home of the United States constructed and controlled Panama Canal, until President Carter decided to let it go, are excluded from the pretended Federation that so far has failed to become a reality; in part due to some Nationalistic groups that resist loosing individuality, and petty arguments like "Where
would the Capital of the Federation be?"
However, in spite of those difficulties, and differences such as local customs, accent and slang used, currency, etc. they have accomplished a limited union that permits Central Americans to cross borders with no other
papers than their personal I.D. issued by the country of birth, or any proof of Central American nationality.
Customs, as a rule are similar. e.g. with a very low percentage of exeptions, they love to sit around with friends - and friends to be - to socialize and consume navigable quantities of beer or liquor; rum being their favorite hard liquor mixed with Coca Cola as a "Cuba Libre," except in Nicaragua, where they prefer Pepsi Cola and re-name the mix "Nica Libre". Second in the favorites list is vodka.- Bourbon is practically unknown, and asking for a whiskey, invariably will produce a Scotch.
Central Americans generally get along well - if you ignore the so called "Football War" between El Salvador and Honduras. It had much deeper causes tan a soccer game, too long and complicated to go into them now.

Some times they tease each other in jest; each nationality having a nickname:
Guatemalans are "Chapines", Salvadoreans "Guanacos", Hondureans "Catrachos", Nicaraguans "Chochos" and Costa Ricans "Ticos".

Each country has its typical cuisine and special dishes which may include some non traditional food, like iguana eggs in a special native sauce in El Salvador, called "alguashte"- from the Mayan dialect "Nahuatl" still spoken in some parts of that country.

There are only two seasons in the region: rainy (winter) and dry (summer).
They all enjoy a great climate, Guatemala having the best. Further along, I'll try to go into each country outining their characteristics - so if you are curious and like to travel, look for my nest commentary on Central America, that will take you to Guatemala.