Wharton MBA for Executives

Although the international trip officially starts on 9/13, I came out a week early to do some sightseeing, etc.

I arrived on 9/6. Madrid is a pretty cool city. The metro system is great. Most of the train station have been renovated and the trains are also pretty new. The crowds weren’t too bad and the tickets were definitely affordable. A ticket for 10 trips is only 7.40 euros so it’s less than 1 euro per ride!

The Westin Palace is also a nice hotel. The elevators are tiny (as most European hotels) but oh well. The location is great and service is up to our standards.

I spent most of the day going to the various local site near the hotel. I did the following:

• Went to the Royal Palace. The grounds are certainly impressive and the rooms were pretty cool. The armory and pharmacies are also interesting.
• Walked over to Plaza Mayor to see a bunch of street performers.
• Went tapas hopping (and had some beer in small glasses). also drank some weird cider beer (tasted like watered down jaegermeister)
• Ate paella at a restaurant near the Plaza Mayor
• Ate chocolate con churros at Chocolatier San Gines. The chocolate is kind of thick and the churros were nice to dip.
• Walked around Plaza del Sol and saw the big Tio Pepe sign.
• Went to a bullfight! - This was probably the highlight of the day although it is a little sad and disturbing to see them kill these bulls for our entertainment.
• Walked over to the Prado museum but didn’t end up going inside.

…all in one day.

I then flew out to Marrakech, Morocco on 9/7.