This is the second part of my post on Madrid. To read the first part, click here.
Sculpture in front of Reina Sofia Museum
After resting for a while, we decided to go over to the Reina Sofia (Queen Sophie) Museum. This is a museum of Modern Art. Usually, I would not run to a modern art museum. However, there is one painting in this museum that I really had to see. That is “Guernica” by Picasso. This is the first piece of art that I ever actually studied. It was in an Art Appreciation class at Miami-Dade Community College and was part of a total about face that I did with regards to art. Before this class, I had no interest in art whatsoever. Now, I have been to dozens of the world’s great museums, all over the world. And my life is definitely richer for the experience.
Reina Sofia Museum
There was not a lot else in this museum that was of interest to me, except for a room full of Cubist art. I really love Cubism and it is not very common in most museums. I have been fortunate to see a few great pieces in the Art Institute of Chicago. But it was fun to see some of the works at the Reina Sofia by Delaunay, Picasso and a few of the other great Cubist artists.
We got home and were able to use Skype to make some calls to some people back in the US. This technology is really cool. I was able to call some corporate numbers in the US for no charge (I had to call the people at my time share to straighten something out regarding my reservation). I also was able to call other Skype users for no charge, and even have video on the call. I had pre-bought some credits as well and was able call any phone number in the US and Australia for 2 cents a minute. This is definitely one of those areas where technology has made life better. It truly is a small world now.
May 8, 2009
We found a great little restaurant for breakfast yesterday, so we went back to it today. The man that runs it was so nice and friendly. He remembered us from the day before, even to the point of remembering what we had ordered. We have found so little friendliness in Spain, so we definitely were glad of this place.
Today we decided to ride the Madrid Vision tourist bus. This is like the bus trip we did around Barcelona. It has two lines. One goes around Old Madrid and the other goes around Modern Madrid. You can get off and on at any stop, as many times as you want, for either 1 day or for 2 days. We bought the 1 day pass. This is a great way to get an overview of the city. One of the things that this bus trip definitely showed us is that the traffic in Madrid is horrible. We were caught in a lot of traffic all throughout the Old Madrid route. This was especially true when trying to go by the Puerta del Sol area. It took about 20 minutes to go 2 blocks. Another area that was super congested was the Gran Via. This is a road that was built in the 19th Century. It is lined on both sides by very beautiful buildings and businesses.
Puerta de Alcala
On the bus trip, we went by the Puerta de Alcala. This is a 65 meter high “gate” with 5 arches. It is kind of like an Arc de Triomphe, but bigger and more grand. We also went by the Prado museum, the Parque del Buen Retiro (a large park built for the monarchy that is now open to all) and several dozen other sites. The Old Madrid tour was definitely more interesting that the Modern Madrid tour, but I am glad that we were able to do both parts.
I was even more glad when we were able to get off of the bus. Because of all of the stop and go traffic, the ride was very bumpy and uncomfortable. At least the weather was beautiful (sunny and hot).
By the time we got back to our apartment, we were so worn out. Our feet are almost raw from all of the walking we have been doing. I am glad that we have been able to do it. A few years ago, both of us had such major problems with our feet that we would not have been able to do this. Frankly, I am not sure how many more trips like this we will be able to take. Age is really starting to take a toll on both of us.
May 9, 2009
Today is our last day in Madrid. I am really sad to have to say that. I always get the “last day blues” when I am on a trip that I really enjoy. (I actually was depressed for two weeks or so after coming home from my first visit to Hawaii.) On the other hand, it will be nice to get home and to see my doggies.
El Prado
There are 2 museums that I really want to go to, but I realize that I will probably end up not going to one of them. We decide to go to the Prado Museum. This is houses in a one-time palace. As so man of the guide books will tell you, the building is as much a part of the experience as the art. It is truly magnificent. Walking up to the front, there is a beautiful pathway along the Paseo del Prado, lined with columns and statues. This is considered one of the great museums of the world, and I can certainly understand why. It is certainly, without question, the greatest collection of Spanish art anywhere. It has works by Velazquez, El Goya, El Greco, Titian, Tintoretto, Raphael and so many more.
Walking into and through this museum is an overwhelming experience. I strongly recommend to anyone that is serious about going to this museum that you leave it for a day that this will be your only museum. Otherwise, it is simply too much to take in. I can only describe it as sensory overload. In addition, the typical painting in here is quite large, so even the scale of the art is overwhelming.
After going through a dozen or so rooms, I just was not able to take in any more. It is breath-taking art. Every piece you see is just awe-inspiring. Words cannot begin to describe the experience.
Close to the front of the museum, as we were leaving, we saw a sign for sculptures. So we followed the signs and found ourselves in a Cloisters room. This room is part of the extension of the Prado and was actually originally a part of the next door Cathedral of St Jeronimo. This was once an outdoor patio bordered by arches all around. They have now enclosed the area, but the arches remain. There are sculptures all around the room. But the room itself is just so spectacular that it is hard to concentrate on any of the sculpture.
To be continued.
To see some of my photos of Madrid, click here.
