Views from the City: Holiday Edition

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy Kwanzaa! Given that I live in a country with a strong cultural affiliation with Catholicism, it should surprise no one that Christmas is a major holiday in Spain. That said, the holiday does take on some commercial and whimsical tones throughout the holiday season as the government of Madrid sets up glass christmas trees and lights around the major plazas and thoroughfares throughout the city.

Today's installation features a night time shot of some lights along el Paseo de Prado that I shot while driving to a Spanish Fulbright Association Christmas dinner in a country club on the outskirts of Madrid.


A shot from the north section of Sol at night; note the balls of light floating across the street.


And a daytime shot of Sol, featuring a glass Christmas tree. These 'trees' appear throughout the major plazas in the city during this time of year.

The city also sets up trees that light up around the city. Here is an example of a tree from my neighborhood, Plaza de España: