El Capital

So, I was able to find some time in between my two back-to-back trips to fill you in so as to not have one HUGE post next week--aren't I nice?!?!

Anyway, Saturday morning we (Val, Katie, Lindsay and I) got up bright and early around 5:30am in order to make it to the bus station for our 7am bus ride. The ride is 5 hours to Madrid, the perfect amount of time to catch up on the sleep we missed that same morning.

When we got to Madrid it was about noon, so we checked into our hostel and proceeded to the Parque Retiro to start our sightseeing while eating our picnics that our host families had packed for us. When we walked into the park, we might have well have walked into a green dream. Bigger than anything I could have ever imagined, it was absolutely gorgeous. Trees, flowers, grass, and a ton of people--it is best described as a bigger and better Central Park. The best thing about the park was the lake where you could row boats. We didn't rent one, but we had a lot of fun eating and watching (and sometimes laughing) at those that did. Here is a picture of the ladies in the park:

We then had a disheartening realization--May 1st is Spain's Labor Day which meant that all of the museums were closed. But, have no fear, we improvised! We walked to Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol to get the outside sightseeing done. Lindsay and Val then went to a bullfight (they said it was a very good thing that I didn't go) and Katie and I got some sangria and then walked over to the Palacio Real to take pictures outside of it (more on that later). We then wandered to the Catedral, but couldn't go in because a wedding was taking place. But, no fear, we sat there for a half hour stalking the wedding party waiting for the bride to arrive. In case you were curious, the dress was a disappointment, but her arrival car was anything but.

A side note on the architecture in Madrid. Before this weekend, I had only visited Spanish cities in Andalucia, which has very similar styles because of the Islamic influences. However, in Madrid, there was never a strong Arab influence and thus the architecture is much more European. Instead of reminding me of Granada or Sevilla, Madrid reminded me of (a poor man's) Paris. Don't get me wrong, it was GORGEOUS, it was just very interesting to see apartments andbuildings that were very cosmopolitan, relatively new, and put simply--big city-like. But, I guess that makes sense since Madrid has been the capital of Spain since around the 1800s.

Okay, continuing. Saturday night was nothing special minus the fact that I had THAI FOOD for the first time I've been here which was more than necessary. Katie and I went to a bar/club which was much different than the ones in Granada, but enjoyable just the same. We then crawled into bed, blissfully unaware of the day ahead.

Sunday was crazy. We wanted to get all the museums in, but we wanted to leave on the 5:30pm bus to Granada; and thus, the challenge was formed. First, we walked back to the Palacio Real and saw the front side and the catedral that is next to it. Another Paris reference, think of the Palacio as a smaller, less ornate version of Versailles. However, there are distinct differences, two that are crucial. One, Palacio Real was used more as a government building and less as a residence than Versailles. Second, parts of the Palacio Real are still used today for events. Katie and I being the political junkies that we are, paid to go inside and take the tour and boy, was it worth it. Gorgeous room, upon gorgeous room--favorite was definitely the Throne Room--but unfortunately, they were much stricter here about the no pictures rule. But, here is a picture of Katie an I outside the Palacio:

We then walked to the Reina Sofia and had a ball with Picasso and Miro. It was not the best collection I have ever seen, but I read in Frommers that they are trying to be the Spanish Centre Pompidou, and I definitely see that in the future. Obviously, the most incredible thing in there was Picasso´s Guernica. We stood there in awe of its beauty, in awe of how huge it is, in awe of the detail. I had no idea how big the painting was, so to turn right and just see...it, well that was just indescribable. The thought process used for each stroke, created an eye, a face, a being that means so much more than I can know without learning about it in an art history class. Regardless, it was incredible and definitely a highlight of the trip.

After lunch, we went to the Prado and headed directly for Velázquez's Las Meninas. It was incredibly impressive, as was the entire museum, but as we know that kind of art (religious, portraits, studies) is not my favorite kind of art, but I definitely was able to appreciate the work done. The building itself was gorgeous (much prettier than the Reina Sofia which is an old hospital) and overall, it was an enjoyable museum.

We then booked it to the bus station and made it there at 5pm-perfect for the bus! Minus the fact that the 5:30pm was full. As was the 6:30. So, we got on the 7:30pm which wasn't what we wanted, but it ended up being fine. We got back around 1am and I promptly crawled into bed and passed out.

Overall, I had a lot of fun in Madrid, which I was actually surprised about. I expected it to be a just another large city, but Madrid has an identity of its own. I realize that throughout this post, I have compared it on more than one occassion to Paris, but Madrid is definitely not Paris, it is most definitely Spain. After every trip, I think about if I could see myself studying there instead of Granada, and as of right now, Madrid is the only one that came close to an argument. Realistically, it is far too big for me, but its interesting because it wasn't even an option for me when I was considering whree to study abroad this semester. Regardless, its always nice to come home again.

Speaking of Granada, to end this post I'm going to leave you with a few pictures from Dia de los Cruces. It was Monday and we had the afternoon off from classes to walk around the city and explore. It is kind of a made-up holiday, but basically there are crosses made up of red carnations all across the city with decorations surrounding it. Basically, it is an excuse for people to drink earlier in the day and dress up in flamenco dresses and dance. The mixture of cultures (flamenco and Christianity) is what makes Granada great and a great time was had by all.

Tomorrow, I leave for Barcelona until Sunday, which should be a lot of fun. It´s my last big trip before the end of the program and it is very bittersweet. The end is on everyone´s mind, but we are just trying to enjoy every single moment we have left here.

Must go to flamenco class! But I won't be wearing this (or have Juanie behind me)...

Hasta luego!