HEAT - that is the first thought - lovely, dry heat which maxed out at 34 degrees while I was there. Madrid is a very modern, clean and relaxed city. The buses are fast and spotless - drivers helpful and polite. I had no problems getting around this grand city which s easy to enjoy and full of life. Took me a little while to relate to the different pace of life. Siesta and late night life are part of this culture - kids playing games late into the evening after the sun has gone down. Beautiful parks, roses everywhere and great monuments to the triumphs of the Spanish conquests are everywhere. People love their dogs here and they came in all shapes and sizes parading around the city. No problems finding shade to rest in and certainly no lack of restaurants, bars and foods of all types. There are small shops everywhere selling everything. So much to see on every street. The Thyssen was my favourite museum with a blend of art both ancient and modern - Georgia O'Keeffe missing - on loan....Prado a bit of a disappointment but enjoyed it non the less. Reina Sofia had some great Dalis and Picassos plus Mondrian, Kandinsky and so on.... Of course one cannot go to Spain without witnessing a demo and so did I - lots of police presence but no aggro on either side. I did not see any real poverty in the sense of homeless people - yes a few people begging but no more than anywhere else. I felt safe at all times and most folk here were friendly and polite. Madrid is a modern, fashionable town that seems very sure of itself and had excellent transportation, good food and great people watching.