DareSheGoes: Memorable Madrid

In my work as a cabin attendant, I get to see some fantastic destinations. Many are well worth returning to in my own private time. I fly within Europe and intercontinentally. I love the combination. When I began working for KLM in 2002, we usually started by flying only within Europe. I remember my first week of Europe-hopping very well. Six days. Four night stops. One of those first night stops was in Madrid and I knew exactly what to do first.

Love of Art
I completed my studies in 1998. Art Academy. My final paper was about Guernica, one of Picasso’s masterpieces. But I only knew it from art books and slides in art history classes. Guernica is on display in one of Madrid’s most beautiful museums — the Reina Sofia.

I had an entire morning free. So, after breakfast, I was on the bus to the museum. Along the way, I saw just how beautiful the city was and how little time I had to enjoy it. I was at Reina at ten on the dot. I had that ‘first date’ feeling. It was a project into which I had poured my heart and soul in preparation for our meeting. Goose bumps. Impressive. It was as if I had found a part of myself. Beautiful memories sprang to mind. The benefits of my job. Back in time, if only for a moment.

My 'first date' with Picasso's Guernica

Love of Fashion
A year ago, on 3 January, I took my first private trip of 2012. There was a retrospective exhibition of the work of Yves Saint Laurent. In Madrid. I decided to go for four days with a friend. On the spot. Rented an apartment on the Puerta del Sol. Stand-by tickets. And I got to know this friendly city a little better.
More fantastic museums — Prado and Thyssen-Bornemisza. Wonderful food and fantasies brought on by Flamenco dresses. Discovered lovely La Latina. Madrid is

Flamenco dresses

well organised and charming. Inspiring for dress-up parties and souvenirs. It has every right to call itself Spain’s capital.

Love of Travel
The new year has started. My roster is filled with beautiful trips inside Europe and over the oceans. Known and unknown cities yet to see. Some for my work. Some for my private life. Curious to see what will cross my path this year. The places where my passion for travel, art and music melt into one. Happy New Year!

PS: For the ultimate Madrid atmosphere, please listen to my Madrid Playlist on Spotify.