Parque de las Avenidas

I don’t hate tourist areas, really I don’t some of my favorite places are in tourist areas. But to really get the feel of a city, I need to get out and see where the residents live, work and eat. Its fun to do, I often realize i really am far from home, I see things I wouldn’t see at home. I even meet interesting people.
Besides when I explore I find some really great places, places that become favorites to. Even if you won’t find them in Rick Steve’s books or Frommer’s.
This is a neighborhood like that, though thats not how I found this. I found this because my aunt and uncle lived here when I was a kid. I heard about it, and wanted to see it for myself.
There are shops and places to eat here. There is even a Metro station. Somewhere my Aunt tells me there is an underground shopping area. (it took her a while to find it… I still haven’t). The pace is slower here. Shoppers are out here and there. Kids play, there are cracks in the sidewalk. In short its the Madrid of its residents. Its a nice neighborhood.
I like to stop into Café Brussels for a snack. The food is good, service good. They don’t speak English though, I feel I like am the first tourist they have seen since last time I came.
Then I wander a bit, maybe mail a postcard in the mail box and walk back to Centro.