Autumn in Retiro

"Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall."

- F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby

Between my love for pumpkins, brightly colored leaves, wearing boots and scarves, apple cider, butternut squash, football and Thanksgiving, autumn is undoubtedly my favorite season. While I initially felt disappointed that I'd be missing out on a beloved Pacific Northwest autumn this year, I'm quickly realizing that fall in Madrid is a truly magical time as well.

While the city is generally lacking in nature (especially in comparison to the ubiquitous greenery of Seattle), the undeniable presence of fall can still be found in Parque del Buen Retiro - my all-time favorite spot in Madrid.

I spent the majority of last week sick and cooped in my apartment, so this past Saturday seemed like the perfect day to take advantage of the autumn sunshine and take a stroll around Retiro. This is the only place in Madrid that truly feels like fall to me; the trees are adorned with vibrant reds and oranges, colorful piles of leaves scatter the ground, and the crisp autumn air remains untainted by the surrounding city life. While I do wish the rest of the Madrid felt just as much like autumn, I suppose that's what makes Retiro so magical.