WOMEN'S SOCCER BLOG By Tim Goodenow for WVUsports.com March 26, 2012 05:51 AM

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The home of Real Madrid.

Submitted photo

MADRID – The team spent two spent two hours this morning around our hotel with a tour guide named Matilda.

Our “did not know” moment came early into the tour when we were told Madrid was not always the capital of Spain. It was crowned in the late 16th century. The former capital of Spain, Toledo, is a fortress city with large gates about a one-hour drive south of Madrid.

We visited the Plaza Mayor, a large rectangular plaza surrounded by three-story apartments and offices. It’s a popular spot for locals where they’ll have carnivals, concerts, holiday parties, etc. There also are several restaurants, bars and souvenir shops that attract large crowds.

The plaza’s origin was a meeting point for the town’s traders with those who came from Toledo. King Felipe II, whom there is a giant statue in the middle of the grounds, moved the regions government from Toledo to Madrid.

Several Mountaineers enjoyed pastries and fresh fruit this morning at a local marketplace. Madrid's busy markets are an integral part of local life. There seem to be many small markets distributed about the city. They provide a huge array of excellent quality vegetables, fruit, meat, fish and pastries.

There is about an hour of free time before we depart for a tour of Bernabeu Stadium.

Don't forget to check out photos from women's soccer's trip to Spain at Facebook.com/wvuwomenssoccer and be sure to click the "Like" button while you are there.
Follow Nikki Izzo-Brown on Twitter: @Nikki Izzo-Brown

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