 This week I had the opportunity to attend two full day workshop and took a 90 mins stroll around the historic heart of the capital, Old Madrid on Friday early morning before heading to airport flight. My overall impression of the city was just incredible! Before visiting Madrid, I was a bit concerned about the safety side of traveling alone. But on the first evening on my way to the to the hotel, I had changed my impressions completely. Firstly I was in loved with the old Madrid where there are many charming buildings and stone alleys to walk around. Even my flight was delayed, I managed to do some work and then visited Museo del Prado for an hour. The museum offer free entry two hours before closure each date. I was so impressed with the fabulous painting collection back in 12th century to 19 centuries. It’s a good opportunity to see the worlds greatest assembly of famous Spanish painters art works such as Goya. The museums also has vast collection of Italian paintings such as Raphael, Giordano and Tiepolo. I can tell some locals just drop by to appreciate the art. One man was trying to explain me a religious character of a Saint in painting in Spanish. I can feel his passions about the painting even I cannot understand Spanish at all. One the top floor I saw an incredible Mermaid gold covered deco piece. I had visited an old restaurant called Taberna Antonio Sanchez, named after a matador from 1870. His son also became a bullfighter but after a serious goring he retired to run the bar and his victims and pairings adorn the walls. Although I couldn’t understand the me, the waiter was very professional to give me suggestions with Muga red wine, Rabo de toro (Oxtail) for main dish. The first night after the workshop, we had a team building to play escape game for 90 minutes the following by late dinner from 9:30pm at a nice high ceiling building called Casa Paulino. We had Jamon Serrano which is a salt cured hand dried in mountain air for tapas. The second night of workshop I got support with my colleague to get into internal tools understanding and finished work late. I visited the market quickly at 9:30pm . It was full of great fresh tapas at very good price like 1.5 euro per piece and wine. However being a tourist with my laptop alone, for safety reason, I decided to walk back hotel first. I then had very dinner just next to my hotel building after 10:15pm. But still it seemed like that the night just got started. Finally date I waked up at 6 pm to do a quick walk around in the city before starting work meetings for the day and catching up noon flight. I walked passed a Catholic Church called Cathedral Church of the Amred Forces, then to St Mary Royal of Almudena, Palacio Real, Monument a Cervantes. I then took metro to Solo station and continuing walking to circulation de Bellas Aries, Westin, Palacio de Cibekes Centrocentro, Puerta de Alcala. I was planning to visit Rize hotel, but unfortunately it was under renovation. The facts that most place open after 10 am which made my life easier for no chance to visit inside but just walk through the town to enjoy the architecture of the grande buildings. Back to the hotel for packing and heading off the airport and glad to have a safe, fullillment workshop and short visit to Madrid. Overall, I love the city. 
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