WLT Travel Blog: Jamon y Madrid

Ham in Madrid is like gelato in Italy. You can have it whenever, wherever and however you want in any style, shape or form for prices varying from 1 Euro to hundreds of Euros (for an entire pig shank).

A fairly common cornerstone restaurant known as the Museo del Jamon actually could be a Museum of Ham if it wanted. Each "Museo" differs from its brothers, although the inventory is always the same: Ham.

The Museo del Jamon that we happened upon was in Northern Madrid, close to the Mailboxes Etc. we had to wait two hours for...while they took a siesta...with our Real Madrid tickets.

So, we dropped in to our first Museo del Jamon experience and standing at a counter, as gigantic, dusty hindquarters of pig hung above us, we picked from the 1 Euro menu. I chose the buttery croissant with ham and cheese shown below with a new drink that intrigued me.

Right and left, old ladies, old men, young people, everyone was ordering a beer and pouring lemonade to top it off. Tangy, sparkling, crisp. Actually, pretty good!

You can see the drink behind the appetizer that comes with a drink...which I mistook for my croissant. Luckily, when I asked the lady behind the counter, all she did was laugh hysterically at me.

Travel and learn something new every day. Or get laughed at. Or both at the same time.

WLT Travel Blog: El Rastro

[Compasses for sale in El Rastro]

The most popular open air flea market in Madrid is called El Rastro, or "The Trail," and is 3500 stalls strong. Every sunday and public holiday the stalls of antiques, clothing and goodies open shop from 9am to 3pm along Plaza de Coscorro and Ribera de Curtidores.

According to legend, the open air market got its name from the trail of blood left by slaughtered cattle on their way to the tanneries located in Ribera de Curtidores which means "Riverside of Tanners."

[Dyed, leather sandals hang on a fence]

Today, the marketplace is filled with anything you can imagine. Unfortunately, however, no food. But just about everything else!

[Wooden crafts]

In the cobblestone squares, merchants set up shop with old swords, vases, coins, dressers, you name it. It's like an organized, simultaneous, Spanish garage sale. It was an amazing array of the most random assortment of goods. Yet, even in its randomness, it wasn't chaotic or entropic, it was a community.

El Rastro is a staple in Madrileno life in the center of Madrid. The largest open air flea market is sure to draw treasure hunters and curious tourists, but locals also frequented the market buying everyday household goods like blank CDs or measuring cups or silverware.

[Anything you could imagine]

El Rastro is an open air market that welcomes everyone into its winding pathways, leading them through discovery after discovery and spitting them out with untold stories and armfuls of who-knows-what. What more could you ask for?

WLT Travel Blog: 100 Montaditos

[So, I'm kind of late, but here are the catch up blogs I never got to post from my latest romp in Europe. Enjoy!]

Our first official meal overseas was at a place called Cerveceria 100 Montaditos. The chain which has become somewhat of a Andalusian franchise began in Islantilla in 2001 and had reached 100 locations by 2007, 39 of which are in Madrid.

[Crisp, refreshing and cheap bearing the 100 Montaditos logo]

The Cerveceria gets its name from the 100 varieties of small sandwiches otherwise known as bocadillos or montaditos from which diners choose from on a piece of paper and hand over to the cashier.

The petite subs were basic, but delicious. A crispy mini baguette formed the vessel for all sorts of fillings from the normal ham and cheese to salami to small shrimp to salmon and cream cheese. While one may not be enough to fill you up, a six-sandy party platter will certainly do the trick for around 5 Euros. Do not underestimate these little guys.

[Party platter of deliciousness]

However, the best part about Cerveceria 100 Montaditos:

1 Euro beers. What better way to celebrate our arrival in Madrid than a pre-noon brewski from Madrid's McDonald's.

[Fellow traveler Matt trying to catch up on his beer intake]

For more on these travel-sized subs and other Madrilena ponderings, check out Tapasdealyssa.