11/13/2024

 

Today started a bit more slow-paced than prior days.  We had the nice breakfasts (salmon bennie again) and relaxed in conversation with our fellow pilgrims. Sara and Javier met us at 9:45 and we were off on a highlights of Madrid tour.  Our first stop was the Plaza de Toros – the bull fighting arena.

 

 

The Plaza de Toros

 

Javier is a bull fight enthusiast and so spun a few facts (and maybe fiction?) about the sport. It seems that these animals live a life of luxury until they are 4-6 years old. Then, if they are deemed worthy of the bull ring, they are scheduled to take part in the pageant that is a Bull Fight. The rules and form date back to medieval times (and earlier if the archeologists are right about what happened in Knossos 6,000 years ago).

 

During the season an event features 6 bulls and three matadors (with accompanying support staff). The bull dies eventually, but not before he may hurt some of the company. Matadors do die as well. It is a dangerous, bloody bit of entertainment. We did not go in but had a chance to take a few pictures of the environs.   One monument was particularly poignant.

 

 

When a Matador dies, an angel is born

 

The bull fight season is April and May. During festivals the activity increases. (So, if we return next spring, there is a chance Paul may get to see a bull fight!)

 

Our bus then toured around the city as Sara and Javier kept up the History lesson. Spain has a Value Added Tax of 20%. Prices are high, but the residents seem to be able to cope, live in apartments, have a car, etc. Healthcare is universal and the Spaniards can purchase additional insurance that fast tracks some care.

 

We arrived at the Prado and Sara took over the tour.  We saw many highlights we had missed on Monday. Sara was very well informed and knowledgeable about all aspects of the Prado. (We got her contact information for the next time we visit Madrid.) She spent a bit of precious time in Goya’s dark room which Paul enjoyed as that room held those bizarre paintings referred to a couple of days ago.  Again, no pictures in the Prado and so we just will advise you to get a book. (Which, of course, Shirley did.)

 

After the Prado it was lightly raining, and we strolled the block or two to the restaurant where we ate well and drank well (again).  We then got back on the bus and drove through the city some more before ending up at the Royal Palace. 

 

 

The group at the Palace

 

It was nicer than Versailles. It had a lot of the grandeur of the Catherine palace.  While the Catherine palace had the Amber Room, this palace had a porcelain room. It wasn’t as large as the one near St. Petersburg, but what it had was head-turning.  Each room got fancier as we progressed through the tour. There were rococo rooms, embroidered fabric wall covering rooms, a well decorated (and gilded) chapel and on and on.  We took many pictures. 

 

One of the amazing rooms was the second music room where there were 5 Stratovarius’ displayed (2 cellos, 2 violins and a viola).

 

 

A Stradivarius Violin

 

Another room had a circular fainting couch:

 

 

Shirley feinting a faint.

 

When Napoleon conquered Spain in the early 1800’s, he had all the silver pieces melted down and made into coins so he could pay his army.  There is a memory of what the French did and it is not very favorable. (Witness the painting of the Executioners by Goya hanging in the Prado.)

 

The last room to visit was the throne room.  This was also opulent. We took a picture of Becki Fillauer (the Queen) with Shirley:

 

 

Outside the rain had stopped and we took a few pictures to show the immensity of the plaza:

 

 

The Palace Plaza with the Cathedral in the background

 

That was the last stop.  We never made it to the Plaza de Mayor, the Thyssen Museum, or any of the many other museums. And so, we decided that instead of going to Florence next spring, we will return to Madrid. This is a city that has captured our hearts. 

 

We made it an early night – packed and made ready to leave tomorrow. 4587 steps.