We arrived in Madrid in the mid-afternoon and received a grand welcome as we entered the Puerta de Alcala. This is the famous gate erected in 1778 and was the first arch built in honour of the triumph of Europe. Madrid is Spain’s capital city, the seat of government, the residence of the Spanish monarchs, and the centre of politics, economy, and culture. Yet, despite the modern infrastructures, it has preserved the look and feel of its historic neighborhoods. Like school chil