In the hot summer of 2019, I took my family to the old country-- Spain, after finding that at least part of my ethnic heritage was rooted there. My elder son had spent the entire summer there as part of his collegiate program.

My first photo upon arriving in Spain.

The overlook of the sprawling plaza of the Royal Palace in Madrid

Originally Magerit (Arabic) due to the Ottoman occupation, the Spanish-English is now Madrid, and this is its Royal Palace

This is just off one of the main boulevards in the Old City, where tourists mingle with locals in an incredible outdoor and festive culture

The majestic Almudena Cathedral (Santa Maria la Real de la Almudena) is a Roman Catholic Church, one consecrated by John Paul II in 1993.

Guests of the King of Spain would enter at ground level, then rise up this set of stairs into the grand hallway, where they were received by the regent of the palace

A soraring ceiling in Madrid's Royal Palace

A glimpse at the intricate stonework common in the archways of Spain. Not typically loadbearing, they are beautiful but mostly decorative due to the devastation of a great earthquake that shattered earlier arches that were loadbearing.

The Generator Madrid, in the center of town, is a hotspot and festive property. It has an expansive view and party atmosphere on the rooftop terrace, and much to do with people staying from all over the world.

Here, the famous Jamon Iberico goes for over $80 a pound ($176/2.2 pounds) or 149 Euro for a Kilo. The high end meat is clearly better than the cheaper Jamon, but most Americans may not have the experience to fully appreciate it, at least from what I can tell

Jamon Bodega is "pure Spain" and generally features a stand like this, where the forearm of the preserved pork is held in place b a metal clasp and butchers or even individual patrons (like me) shave their own helping

Since 1936, one of the most representative symbols on the Puerta del Sol, Madrid was the Tip Pepe sign, which was formerly mounted on the Hotel Paris in the city here

Built in 1910, the church features a ornate domed roof and neo-byzantine bell tower , located in the eclectic Barrio De Salamanca near Retiro Park

El Retiroz was built in 1636, around the same time Harvard was established in the US. The park belonged to the Spanish Monarchy until the late 19th century, but is now a public park featuring this amazing pond in front of a statue of King Alfonso XII

A simple but beloved fountain in Buen Retiro Park, downtown Madrid.

The fabulous Glass Palace at the Buen Retiro Park. You can walk inside and enjoy the fairy tale beauty of the place which is sometimes home to special exhibitions for the museum and, other times, open to enjoy in all its simplicity.

Buen Retiro Park in Madrid. It has the feel of Paris' Jardin des Tuileries park, only decidedly and obviously Spanish in style

Outside the Glass Palace, in the great park, where exhibitions of art and other functions are held

City Hall Madrid is open to guests and a place of the people. It's beautiful and overlooks a wonderful district near some great city parks

Not far from the American Museum and downtown Madrid are the Faro de Moncloa ($8) tower and the famed Victory Arch, a 128 foot military feature also known as the Moncloa Gate.

Fresh markets like this are a way of life in Spain. They are bustling and crowded, with fresh fruits, nuts, desserts, fish, meats... anything you can imagine

The Spanish people, much like Europeans in general, love their fresh flowers. Far from being "special occasion only" purchases, they are regular guilty pleasures of the Spanish people.

This is an example of an American mall, the Court of the English-- common everywhere in Spain, popular among expats and others looking for the American style