So now looking at these older posts nostalgia has sets in. Many memorable moments with family there, here, everywhere Madrid is more than a city I told you! And there are within some special places dear to my life. I like to tell you a bit more on the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium and the sports complex of La Elipa!!!
Two memorable parks of my youth one and of always the other, without them Madrid will be just another city in my world map. I grew up there, playing baseball in the Elipa and part of the Real Madrid organization in Benjamin division at casa de Campo, the old training and field grounds ,then became a Madridista for life and Bernabeu is my second home.
Another chance to be by Madrid and of course, could not resist in stopping by even if there were no games just been around these places is special to me. Lucky enough to be able to be back and see them often. The temperature was nice and sunny around the 23C (73F) in the afternoons and going down to 10C (50F) in the evenings. A nice way to walk the city.
I first went to the Elipa park or the Parque Municipal de la Elipa; this is part of my district where I used to lived in the 70’s. It is surrounded in the north by El Carmen neighborhood , east by the cementary La Almudena , to the south by the neighborhood of Moratalaz, and to the west the avenida de la Paz or the beltway M-30 . It is part of the neighborhood of Ventas, where the bullfight arena monumental is located,and the district is Ciudad Lineal , my residency district of old in Madrid.
I always came here by bus in my times it was the P13 and with the new EMT Madrid transport of modern Spain, the numbers were change,and now is the line 113. In 2007, (finally) ,they open a metro line 2 La Elipa , that is at the intersection of the streets avenida del Marqués de Corbera and calle Santa Felicidad.
I played for a team sponsored by the Real Madrid FC organization with the same name in a league of about 8 teams, most of the equipement was provided by the US air force base at Torrejon de Ardoz. Some of the teams I remember other than mine were, the Rayo Vallecano, Atlético de Madrid, Condepols, Piratas, Abraham Lincoln school, and the US air base team. The Spanish were learning the sport of Baseball and it was fun to be able to teach as well as played. They used to translate literally the English name and call it pelota de base or baseball!!!
Today the Madrid baseball/softball federation is base at La Elipa with a training school and the sports field has been enlarged to offer programs in Basketball, Baseball, Football, indoor football, musculation and gym, swimming, padel, tennis, table tenis,and Volleyball. Also, a batting cage for practices batting the baseball,and nudist zone.
For the nostalgia, I walked from my hotel along calle del Pez Volador and calle del Dr Esquerdo along parque de Roma, you see the Spain tower of television and radio RTVE, a sight indeed, and then crossing the passarelle bridge over the beltway M-30 (that was just finished when I left Madrid in 1974 ), and into the street on the other side turning left you go to a traffic circle and then see the signs for La Elipa ,follow it and you are there in 15 minutes! A memorable trip I can show my sons in August which we will be back and can show in person. memories forever of my Madrid!!!
Of course, on the way back with time between flights, left Madrid T4 terminal to go and pay a visit to the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu and a chance to have lunch by there. The Real Café Bernabéu was closed for lunch already so headed for the restaurant TGIF (which i have been before) in the La Esquina del Bernabeu building by the plaza del Sagrado Corazon,and avenida Concha Espina. This Esquina or corner area is been torn down as I write to create a new complex and a covered roof Bernabeu stadium! Photos for the memories!!! NOTE: the parts below are no longer in 2022, as the Santiago Bernabeu is undergoing a total redesign and will completely new area by 2023.
The TGIFridays restaurant was great as usual and I ask to hurry up as needed to get back to the airport and they did it very fast, my burger, bacon and fries and a jarra or pint of Mahou Cinco Estrellas Madrid beer; all with a nice view of the square or plaza Sagrado Corazon. The resto has closed due to the Bernabeu stadium renovations.
I have been to the stadium several times over my life and never enough. I always dream of living not far from it and just spend my times there , around and inside…. It is what the true fan wish for all our lives. Did you know that Don Santiago Bernabéu’s mother was Cuban from Camagüey? And that he had no child from his wife (since 1940 who died in 1987) Maria Valenciano!
When I go , (and this will change next year with the new renovations) always go for the Fondo Sur (south) bleechers by the avenida Concha Espina, you can have the Fondo norte (north) by the calle Rafael Salgado, lateral Este (East) by calle Pedro Damiàn, and lateral Oeste (West) by Paseo de la Castellana. A quick walk around of the stadium before buying your ticket will give an idea. There are four towers around the stadium with tower A between fondo sur and lateral este , tower B between fondo sur and lateral oeste,tower C between lateral oeste and fondo norte and tower D between fondo norte and lateral este. You then have zones, in each section divided in six levels from those in the fondos closest to the field, to tribuna, and antitheater’s or theaters three laterals and four fondo with the fourth fondo the most far away from the field.
To read your ticket see the numbers : you have the puerta or gate to get in, then the color to show the section ,like mine are Red for fondo sur.Green is fondo norte, Purple for laterals and Blue for the tribunes and preferential seating. Then the ticket show the vomitorios or exit lanes, this is the passage that takes you to the bleacher’s and tribunes, antitheater etc by which you walk to leave the stadium once the game is over.
Then, you go for your sector seating, this is a 3 digit number on your ticket usually with a letter. Once you reach inside passing before reaching the bleacher’s you need to go to your sector; these are divided in lanes or aisles so the even numbers are on your right and the odd numbers on your left; easy up to now ::) The first number means your level up the ladder in the stadium zone you purchase, the second number and third pinpoint the seat so the first number may means high level, the second number tribune, and the third number a antitheater. If a first time, can be confusing but there is always personnel around to help you find your seat at all times. Finally, there is your seat number indicated on the ticket and on each chair! easy I said.
Now arriving in Madrid ,how to get to the stadium? again easy all roads lead to Bernabéu! I have use them all and the car is still best ::) Only you need to be there early underground parking available or nearby. Then, you can walk from your hotel -2km is a good walking distance here go ahead! Then ,for the more social transport folks there is the cercanias or suburban trains, where you will reach the station Nuevos Ministerios from C-1, C-3, C-4, C-7 or C-10 trains. Afterward you can walk about 10 minutes . You have last I counted 7 bus lines passing by the stadium such as No. 14, 27, 40, 43, 120, 147 ,and 150. And of course, the metro/subway/tube on line 10 Santiago Bernabéu go up on the stadium exit , then once out turn to your right and see the Stadium!!! If you arrive from other city in Spain usually by Atocha then take line 1 metro to stop Tribunal, and the the above mentioned line 10. Ahh tickets to the game , the official Real Madrid site is the best .
If you are looking for a hotel for a game there, or just to see Madrid away from the tourist hordes, than I recommend the one I have always use when in town for a game ,and not with family; Holiday Inn Plaza de Carlos Trias Bertrán, 4. The hotel has change name to Hotel Canopy by Hilton Madrid Castellana. New webpage: https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/madespy-canopy-madrid-castellana/
Of course, I am biased but to eat go to other than the above mentioned places you have the La Esquina Asador Sidreria and Zen Market in the Real Madrid complex. In all, near the Nuevos Ministerios transports hub you have an El Corté Inglés department store and an FNAC electronics/books/Cd music etc store. Closer to the stadium you have the AZCA or Moda complex of stores. see their posts in my blog.
In all, this is Madrid, and with the famous Bernabéu in tow and the true local Elipa to see the real living of the locals, you will have the best of both worlds and appreciate Madrid even more. Hope you enjoyed the post as I did!
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 
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