Andy Rodker's photos with the keyword: Azca

Torre Windsor burnt down on this site in 2004 and El Corte Inglés (think cross between Harrods and M&S) bought the site and made it one of their flagship stores. (And I was pleased to see the classic Triumph bike there!).

Nuevos Ministerios gardens, looking north towards Azca business Centre, Madrid.

This building appealed to me. It is also a place I taught at for a year some time ago but never viewed it from the back so wasn't ever aware of these interesting curves.

On my way to give an early morning class in Torre Picasso. My students always comment on London fog. I explain that in my (exactly) 30 years living and working in London (from 05/11/1979 to 05/11/2009), I experienced thick fog ONCE. And that was on or around 15/11/1979 and that was so bad that I fell down a workman's trench in the road! I was unhurt but shaken! I got totally lost for three hours! I couldn't see one foot (30 centimetres) in front of me. But that was the ONLY TIME in 30 years! In Madrid, However, I have been caught in thick fog at least a dozen times in the 9 years I have been here (since 05/11 2010). My students simply don't believe me. For them, London = fog. Guy Fawkes night, November 5th; it has always been a significant date in the calendar for me!

Nuevos Ministerios and Azca, Madrid

When I took this, there was no-one around. When I downloaded it later I saw the mural of the girl jogger (there are many such murals on hoardings in Madrid). But now on uploading to ip, I'm not so sure. It still looks like a mural, the clothes don't seem to be typical Madrid jogging attire ... and yet ... and yet ... her feet seem to be just far enough away from the hoardings to make me think she might be real after all!! However, she must be far too close to the fence, is heading straight for the small tree and her 'shadow' bears no relation to the (poor) source of light which looks painted on to me ... I'm tending towards 'mural' but the jury's still out! What do you think? OK!!! ... ... ... ANSWER! I SPENT ONE NIGHT BACK HOME AND SO HAD TO CHECK IT OUT! THERE IS A LOAD OF GRAFITTI HERE - FAR MORE THAN A WEEK AGO WHEN I TOOK THE SHOT ... BUT THERE IS NO MURAL OF THE GIRL. SHE WAS REAL!!! How I didn't see her when I took the shot, I'll never know!!!!! :o)))))))))))))))))

Azca, Madrid. A 10 min walk from my flat to here. As I give many classes in the Azca Business Centre, I pass this way often.

When I downloaded this it suddenly started dancing and moving and the lights were flashing and it looked like it was in an earthquake. Something to do with Google Drive trying to be clever and realizing I'd taken a few shots of this close together and the lights on the tall building do change every minute or so. I wondered if the effect would transfer to this site but of course not. Anyway I was much taken by surprise at first!

In the heart of the business centre (or it was 20-30 years ago)!

Madrid, Azca Business Park, Spain, Europe, The World, The Universe. (just a little bit of help for those who, like me, like to geo-locate photos). I have taught in most of these buildings at one time or another.

Torre Picasso, Madrid in intense light this morning. I had three classes here this morning. My first was at 7:30 am and it was perishing cold (minus something or other) and I was well wrapped up on the way here (on foot, 20 minutes from my flat). By the time I left at about 1:00 it was in the 70s F (about 23ºC). I had to lug my heavy crombie, scarf and gloves all round Madrid in t-shirt weather! One of the hazards of living in Madrid!

Nuevos Ministerios, Azca commercial centre and umbrella pines.

Azca, Madrid. This temporary ice-rink had yet to open, I think they were putting the finishing touches to it it as I passed. I had just come from taking a class at Torre Picasso behind, resplendent in green for the season!

From half-way up Torre Picasso, Azca. Madrid

Azca Business Centre, Madrid, seen from an office in the Torre Picasso just after dawn. (Classes start early in my profession!)

Public space in front of the New Ministries building complex, Madrid. (1920s to 1950s) The 70s, 80s and 90s Azca business centre is in the background.

The public space at the 'new' ministery buildings (on the left), looking towards the Azca business centre (the commercial heart of the city in the 80s and 90s and perhaps even now to some extent).

with the Azca business centre behind. I've taught at all the tall buildings you see but not yet at Nuevos Ministerios, itself! Only a matter of time - I have taught at government departments but at other locations in Madrid.