Mom's Visit: Alcalá de Henares

Mid-afternoon, my mom, Joan, Kristina, and I headed to Alcalá de Henares via the Cercanias.  The birthplace of Cervantes, Alcalá also takes fame as the world's first planned university city.  We visited the Palacio Laredo, exemplifying Laredo's infatuation with Arabic motif despite his Christian upbringing.  We toured the University at night and then strolled through the city streets eating roasted chestnuts before finding dinner at a Spanish "comida basura" (fast food, however, literally translates to food trash).  Returning to Madrid, we tasted exquisite desserts at the nouveau styled Bazaar restaurant in Chueca.  I highly recommend (and shall return) to this swanky yet affordable place!