More Modern Than Picturesque...According to Papa

One of the greatest dudes of all time (on the Right): Ernest Hemingway, also known as "Papa." In the photo he is in his also beloved Spain at a bullfight. He was passionate about corridas and often referred to them in his writing.

Hemingway is perhaps my favorite author because he tells it like he sees it, and because I can relate perfectly with his adoration for Spain. Regarding Madrid, he thought it was more of a modern city than picturesque, and then after getting to know it better, believed that it was the most Spanish city of all of the Spanish city and the one in which people lived best, and that it had the best people and the best climate. 

One of the places that he often frequented in Madrid is in the Plaza Santa Ana, right next to my apartment. I often avoid this plaza despite its striking beauty because it is haunted by tourists, but sometimes, I walk through, mentally erase the crowds, and imagine the days when Hem sat there drinking a little too much, chatting, and watching the passersby.

The German beer spot in the Plaza Santa Anna which Ernest
Hemingway frequented

The Plaza Santa Ana

True that Madrid is not a picturesque city in the sense of sprawling hills nor sparkling bodies of water... but for a completely modern city, it is as picturesque as modern can be. Every building has its own style, its own beauty, and its own personality. Walking through the center, the building balconies are well-preserved filled with flowers of every color. Some buildings are sea-green, others are striking blue, and one of my favorites in the Alonso Martinez area is decorated 

in Picasso-esque designs. 

It is rare for a capitol city to be filled with the best people, and many Spaniards do say that the best people are in other spots like Andalucia where with the warm climate and laid-back life style, they are more likely to invite you into your homes. But, I agree with Hem. I have found the best people in this bustling capitol city. In this spot where all of the most important business occurs and people emigrate here from other spots, there is still a small town feel. Though there are between three and five million people here, it never feels big. It is typical to run into people you know, have conversations with strangers, or unexpectedly meet someone who becomes a very close friend. Life here is good, and that is demonstrated by the people. In this major metropolitan capitol city, small pleasures are found everywhere, and la vida is always bonita here.