Sharon and I were told to meet our friend Marc by the Bear statue in Puerta del Sol in Madrid. Our friend, via facebook, helpfully gave us the spanish phrase "donde esta el estatua del oso?" - not knowing our vast knowledge of the spanish language, based on my "advanced conversation" course in spanish at mizzou - securing me conversational ability with a second grader. well, we found it, and those madrinellos love that bear. por que?
"Why the bear and the madroño tree are the symbols of Madrid? -- You see them everywhere -- from the small bronze statue in the Puerta del Sol to the insignia on the side of city taxis: A squat bear on its hind legs attempting to eat the berries on a equally squatmadroño, or so-called strawberry tree. They are the official symbol of Madrid. But why? Opinions vary. The practical theory is that the bear standing on its hind legs with its front paws on the tree trunk represent possession and ownership of wood necessary for constructing buildings. The sentimental theory is based on the fact that bears love sweet things and constantly try to extract honey from beehives. According to legend, because they suffer from sore eyes, they get stung and bleed from their wounds to such an extent that it relieves them of some of the pain. Next, they grope around desperately for a madroño tree and start gobbling the fruit, whose bitterness belies its rich red exterior (it only looks like a strawberry) and shocks the palate into further reducing the pain by virtue of sheer distraction. So, masochistically, they rid themselves of their discomfort. The first theory makes sense as a metaphor for how Madrid has grown. The second is rather cute but doesn't seem to have any particular relevance. Take your pick.
from Frommers, the guide book we should have brought to Madrid.
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