Dergi Bursa / TEM. AUG. EYLÜL 2019 / Sayı 54

70 Ertesi sabah kahvaltıda ise adresimiz Madrid’in tarihi kafesi Gijon. Madrid’deki El Café Gijón tarihe ya da tarihi yazanlara tanıklık eden kafelerin son örneklerinden. Dünyaca ünlü aydınların buluşma noktasının müdavimleri arasında kimler yokmuş ki: Ünlü Amerikalı yazarlar Ernest Hemingway ve Truman Capote, Hollywood’un ilk süperstarlarından Ava Gardner, sürrealist ressam Salvador Dalí, İspanyol şair ve edebiyatçı Federico Garcia Lorca... Pek iştah açıcı olmasa da Dali’nin burada resmettiği sinekleri yakalayıp elinde öldürdüğü de anlatılan hikâyeler arasında. İstanbul için Markiz Pastanesi, Paris için Café de Flore, Viyana için Café Central ya da Roma için Café Greco ne ise, Café Gijon da Madrid için o. İspanyolca ile imtihanınız burada da devam edecek ama birkaç günün sonunda “Una Portilla Española, Café con Leche ya da Agua sin Gas” demeyi kaptığınızı umuyor ve cümlenin sonunu “Por favor”la bitirmeniz gerektiğini hatırlatıyorum. Kahvaltıdan sonra Kristof Kolomb’a adanmış olan Plaza Colon’a doğru yürüyünüz. Bu meydandan sola dönünce Madrid‘in en renkli bölgelerinden birine ulaşacaksınız: Chueca. Burası Madrid’in Cihangir’i. Oyuncular ve sanatçıların yoğunlukla yaşadığı bohem bir bölge. Güzel butikler, renkli evler, Palacio Real (Royal Palace). This sprawling structure has a splendid air about it with a 130 meter façade and countless balconies and windows. The palace that is not used by the Royal Family in our day has been transformed into a museum. Those who wish to do so may visit the palace, but I would suggest the La Latina District instead. As you move towards the Latina District and Puerta de Toledo or the Toledo Gate, you will pass over a viaduct that has a strange reputation. The bridge well known as a spot frequented by Madridleños in depression to commit suicide has been closed off with a transparent plastic cover so as to prevent suicide attempts. I hope that you will pass this bridge safe and sound and I invite you to the lively La Latina District right after the viaduct. Find the Calle de Cava Baja Street in the La Latina District and enter one of the nice Tapas bars. The Tapas bars in this district are less touristy and are preferred by the local public more. We move outside the city during our final day of this Madrid trip. Just as headliners come on stage last and the “dessert comes after the main course” and so I invite you to the city of Toledo. You should spare at least one day of your trip to this city of fairy tales. Because not seeing this city that has been declared as an open air museum by Unesco would be missing out a lot during your Madrid trip. It will take only 35 minutes to reach Toledo from the Atocha Train Station that is different from other similar stations since it also has a botanic garden inside it. You will feel the scent of history from the moment you set foot off the train in Toledo. The train station built in 1920 has traces of Andalucian architecture with its external appearance and tiles. Toledo, known as the “city that has introduced Eastern culture to Europe” has been able to preserve its architecture dating back to the Medieval times and it is a lovely city built on a high hill with traces of all three religions. As the capital city of the Kingdom of Castile, the city has had a glorious period during the 12th and 16th centuries with the Toledo Cathedral as the most striking among its historical buildings. This, the 3rd largest cathedral of Spain has many chapels inside it. Moreover, paintings by famous artists such as Velasquez, Rubens, Goya and El Greco also adorn its walls. El Greco, one of Spain’s most famous painters has lived for a long time in Toledo. The artist was born in Crete and lived for a while in Italy and he is thus known as “El Greco” meaning Greek due to his roots in Greece and his works are on display at the museum known as “Home of El Greco”. Toledo is also famous with Don Quixote and swords. The adventures of Don Quixote who defined the city as “Spain’s Glory” are all set around this region and El Toboso, the town of his lover Dulcinea is also in Toledo. About swords; this beautiful city is also famous with its steel workmanship. There are many souvenir shops where you can buy Medieval swords, armors, daggers and Toledo knives. Forget that sword in order to avoid problems on the plane and buy a nice Don Quixote magnet instead. Find the famous patisserie at the square and taste the Marzipans. Afterwards, dive in to the streets and get lost. Enjoy being a tourist. Follow steep narrow cobbled streets where three people would have a difficult time walking side by side and enjoy the historical buildings, flowers dashing out of balconies and the “famous” women of the city. You will perhaps feel that the city keeps on lingering in your mind when it is already time to return or perhaps you will regret that you spared a very short amount of time to Toledo. Don’t worry, you had touched El Oso at Puerta del Sol, right? uzaktaki yakın so far so close