Around Madrid

We spent the first couple of days simply walking around and getting oriented. Madrid has a few main thoroughfares that once you know where they are, it is easy to maintain your sense of direction. Perhaps the most beautiful street in Madrid is the Paseo de la Castellanos (which turns into the Paseo del Prado). Castellanos seems to be the heart of the financial district. It is a very wide boulevard, lined with trees and sprinkled with fountains, wonderful old buildings, and some very nice new buildings.
	Our first excursion on Castellanos was to find the museum district. On the way, we passed this marvellous fountain. In the far distance, you can see the twin sloping towers of the Torres Kio (more pictures of them later).
Then we visited the Natural History Museum (which, unfortunately, was closed for the holidays), and wondered around its grounds a bit, admiring the mudejhar architecture (Spanish gothic influenced by Moorish design).
Then, we walked south toward the Gran Via and the historic district, passing any number of grand buildings.

Perhaps our favorite modern building was the Barclay Bank building (above, right), which was a wonderful copper and bronze color. It was on the Plaza Colon, across from the Christopher Columbus monument.