Katya Goes to Parks and Likes Them A Lot

The parks here in Madrid are gorgeous. I've been to three of the most famous ones now, and they are not overrated. Granted, I'm a bit of a nature fiend and have a tendency to suffocate** in urban areas, but you know, you are just going to have to take my word for it. And pictures. Picture evidence will be included. See? No, literally, scroll down and look.

Palacio de Cristal*

Parque del Buen Retiro (know commonly as El Retiro), to give some history, used to be the King's private park, but is now a public space with statues, fountains, ponds, and pathways galore. I've never been to Central Park in NYC, but I'd imagine it'd kind of like that--a space frequented by many Madrid-residents and located in a lively part of the city. It has some very nice French gardened areas, which are more planned looking and orderly, but my favorite area is the more English garden-style near the Crystal Palace, which is more wild, free, and rambling.***  I also love the giant monument in the middle of the park that sits facing the largest pond (which you can take a boat out on, which of course I am planning to do on my next visit). I've been to it about 2 and a half times now.

Monument to Alfonso XII (photo cred: me!)

The second park I have visited (precisely twice) is called Parque del Oeste (West Park). It's famous for the 2nd century B.C. Egyptian temple which Egyptians gifted to Spanish engineers for helping them with a project. Reconstructed ancient temples included, my favorite thing about this park is actually the rose garden just a short walk down the hill. 

Rose Garden*

 My flatmate, Samara, and I want to go back again and take the gondola ride that leaves from Parque de Oeste and glides over Casa de Campo, which is the third park I've visited here (only once so far, though). Beyond the gondola ride over it, I want to go back and wander around more. Samara and I are pretty much official park buddies, and she and I visited it just this past Saturday. We plan to return to haunt its majestic expanse.****

Casa de Campo*

 Maybe it's because I'm an introvert who enjoys being alone in nature, but these parks have been among the highlights of my stay here. I am very blessed to be here in the spring, with everything blooming and green. Sorry if you are reading this and are not a nature lover. I'll try to include more human interest stuff in my next blog. Patience, my friends. Patience.*****

Me at Casa de Campo (Photo cred: Samara)

Footnotes for the Elite Reader:
*Honestly, I haven't charged my camera since it died on me about two weeks ago, so I pulled most of these off the Google. Thanks, Google.
**Only spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and figuratively. Don't worry. I don'tphysically suffocate--in case you actually took me literally...which you probably didn't. Because I'd be dead already, it's illogical, and you know my way of speaking by now I hope. On that note, a lot of people smoke here and there is air pollution, so I may be physically suffocating just a little bit.
***Yet another reason why I would make a great English literature heroine. I could spend all day in those English parks, parasol in one hand, book of poetry in the other. Note to self: go back in time and insert self into Austen or Bronte novel.
****Most things sound more poetic in my head. And then I open my mouth, and people think I'm cheesy, insincere, or adorable. 
*****And reminders. Patience is good, but reminders to make new blog posts are good, too. Sorry for how long it took me to get this one out to you!