Spring in Madrid, El Capricho Park

El Capricho park is one of the famous parks in Madrid although a little out of the way, still many locals like to go during this period. This park has a very long history and in the later years was taken over by the town hall and gave it a new look which then won an award in 2001.

It has three different styles of gardenscapes, the French, the English and the Italian style. We were there around 2pm and there were not many people as I think it is the Spanish lunch time. We were stopped by the gate keeper as food are prohibited in the park. With kids, I definitely have snacks in my back pack. Therefore, I have to take it out and explain to Enrique so that he won't ask me to give him food in the park. We were surprised by the rules as we never came across in any other parks. There were also a gantry for entry and exit. We strolled in the park hoping to see many flowers but we see more greens instead. It is a very nice gigantic park, good to spend a lazy afternoon.

We went opposite- a football school to have some tapas and drinks. While we were chatting, we saw many people queuing to get inside. It was like .... 'huh? so many people want to go in? so good meh? Actually, not too bad or maybe we never complete the whole park or just being a Singaporean, we are not used to these natural parks. We are too used to man-made gardens and fountain and blah blah blah.

The children had a little fun time in the man-made grass field in the football school. Eduardo was fast to find a girl friend in the field.

Information:
Parque de El Capricho
Avda. de la Alameda de Osuna
Metro: El Capricho (L5)
Bus: 101, 105, 115

One of my routines in Madrid

I just got myself settling down with my kids' school and re-orientated myself in Madrid. People asked me if I missed Madrid when I was back in Singapore. I guess, my answer is YES. After all, we will be completing our fourth year this April. 

My daily routine starts at 7.45am, I prepare the kids to school and we leave the house at 8.45am. First, sending Eduardo to the childcare within walking distance from my place followed by taking a bus with Enrique to San Jorge School. In the morning, it is almost impossible to get into the bus with pram as they only have one space for one pram or wheelchair. In the bus, is usually packed which means we almost never get a seat instead we have to squeeze in the crowd. On this day, this lady offered her seat (slightly bigger than the usually size, maybe for XXL people) to share with Enrique. I am so grateful and happy that people here are very gracious most of the time and this is one thing we should all learn from them. Another morning was a lady asked a teenager to give up his seat to Enrique. And today, Enrique got a seat, the lady beside him keep looking at him and say he is cute and handsome (muy guapo, que mono). She kept listening to our conversation and keep smiling. I was a little embarrassed though.

After sending him to school, I usually headed home to have my breakfast - just bread and coffee but I missed Churros con Chocolate and I thought why not go for the best... So I took a train to Sol, San Gines for the best. I met a Japanese guy who is alone on my left and two Japanese girls on my right. Being KPO, I introduce them to chat as they can't speak English.

San Gines, Churros con Chocolate- MUST try!

San Gines, basement

With a full stomach, I decided to walk around Sol and do some shopping. I love to shop in Madrid, every shop seems to have a big magnet on the door, which pulls me in. I did some shopping at one of my favourite store, Zara.

Below are some artists in action which I think it is really cool. The man would moved his head, hand and legs when you give him a token of appreciation. Obviously, I did not, that's why he did not face the camera. With my tired legs, I headed home to prepare for dinner before going to school to fetch my two princes.

On another day, after sending them to school, I decided to go Le Pain Quotidien for its tartines curry de pollo (chicken curry on bread) also my favourite, it comes with a sweet sauce which goes very well too. I prefer to add some grind pepper and some extra virgin olive oil. The also served nice pastries and many others which can be one's breakfast, lunch or tea time favourite.

Information:

Chocolateria San Gines

Pasadizo San Gines,5, 28013 Madrid, Spain

Open 24 hours

Le Pain Quotidien

Calle Gran Via 46, Madrid

Calle de Fuencarral, 95, Madrid

Calle de Velazquez, 92 Madrid

Spring in Madrid, La Quinta de los Molinos Park

It's time to do some outdoor activities in Madrid now. It's such a lovely weather to get to the park to watch and admire the beautiful flowers blooming.

Located in the San Blas district is La Quinta de los Molinos Park which is about 53 acre in size. It is declared a Historical Park and is part of the Madrid's cultural heritage though it is not very well known. We went there on 8 March after our breakfast. Lucky, we were early by the time we are leaving around noon, the crowd are swarming into the park.

Information

Address: Calle Alcala, 527-531

Metro: Suanzes (L5)

Bus: 77, 104, 105

Opening hours: 6.30am to 10pm

H

Almond trees in full bloom of flowers

Cosplayers in the park

Steamboat dinner with Singaporean & Spanish friends

With a hungry stomach in a cold weather…… what's good for dinner? Yes! Steamboat dinner for our Singaporeans gathering in Madrid.

I have invited our Singaporean friends with their partners who are Spanish to my place for a warmth dinner on 9 March. It is also to welcome Calvin, a Singaporean who came to Madrid about a month ago, we learnt that he was living in London for about seven years before coming to Madrid. 

I had shipped the steamboat pot from Singapore as I can't find one that I like it here as steamboat is not common in Spain. One of our Spanish friends is the first time trying steamboat and he enjoyed it.

On that Saturday, we headed to Usera for a cantonese lunch and we tried the wanton. It was good and we bought from the boss for our steamboat. Then we went to the Chinese supermarket nearby to buy most of the items. I would say that, it is good enough for all of us.

With chilli made by my mother in law, it was so so good not forgetting the white wine, beer and drinks.  We all had a full stomach filled with food and lots of laughter. The dinner starts at 8pm and ends at 1am.  I believed we all enjoyed a lot and I treasured such friendship out of Singapore- 出外靠朋友。

To my friends here in Madrid- am looking forward to many more gathering ahead. 

Beer served with pubs standard

A group picture of us as the kids are in their dreamland

Finding a new school for Enrique

Two years ago one of my friends recommended me San Jorge bilingual school for 0-6 years. I did not put him in as the location is a little far and the fees are more expensive compared to Denenes (just 5 mins walk from my place).

But now, he is three, he has to upgrade to a school or childcare for big boys like him. That's what he told me. He said he doesn't want to go to Denenes which is a childcare for 0-3 year old that he perviously was in. Now, he wants to go to the big boys school.

Although he just turned three last December, technically he still attend school at Denenes but I personally felt that he is more matured than the rest. Therefore, one of the most important missions back in Madrid is to hunt for a school. We went to Orgaz Nursery School at Calle Frascuelo 2. I like that school very much as it is a purely British school with big playground and the school fees are inclusive of swimming, french and german class once a week. It functions more like a school than a childcare but the location was too inconvenient for people like me without a car. I have to walk about 1km from the bus stop but we both got lost in the neighbourhood and was late for the appointment with the principal. 

Enrique told me he likes and wants to be in this school… until he saw San Jorge School and met Raquel, the school administrator. He changed his mind. We had our appointment on Thursday late afternoon and Raquel welcome us and showed us around the school before we discussed the details in 'Enrique's' classroom. Raquel said that it is the best place to discuss so both the boys can walk and play in the classroom while we had our discussion. We saw children learning Judo, little ones as young as 2-3 years old. They too have computer rooms and gym room. Swimming class is available too but it is out of school compound.

We went home and we talk to Enrique after dinner, how's he feel about San Jorge and the environment. He replied that he likes and wants to study there instead of Orgaz. Although San Jorge is a bilingue school, the teacher who in charge of Enrique's class speaks very good english and Raquel speaks well too. Here, I feel more family friendly environment than Orgaz no doubt it is a good english school. When considering the facts, location, school environment and Enrique's feeling is equally important. We decided to respect his decision since the location is more convenient than the other.

He has been attending for 2 weeks and he is loving and enjoying everyday. I hope he can picks up his Spanish too.

Enrique with Raquel

His classroom is right to the end with fleet of stairs down

Teaching starts early

Gym room

Gym room

Computer room, sometimes with tablets too

In his school uniform and his school bag