I will try to include everything I did this past week or so, but honestly I did so much I may forget something along the way. My only regret is that I should have kept a better journal, but I would not change anything else. Overall, it was definitely an amazing experience that I will always remember. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity and I will return at some point after I learn to speak some more Spanish. I have learned how important language is to one's culture, and how we don't realize how important it is until it is taken away. The most difficult thing for me was not being able to communicate with people in Spanish. I learned a little while being there, but it was still a struggle. This helped open my eyes to how important communication is to survival. This whole experience has influenced me to start learning another language. It has definitely inspired me to look at things in a different light.
Madrid, Spain
May 10th to May 13th
Touring the capital of Spain
We arrived in Madrid on May 10, 2012 after about an 8 to 9 hour flight out of JFK International Airport. After arriving at the hotel in the morning, we proceeded to go on a short walking tour near our hotel. The hotel was located in Plaza Emperador Carlos V. We walked through a part of the Parque del Retiro, which was very green and beautiful. People come here to jog, bike, or eat a picnic lunch.
Parque del Retiro
This is a photo of the Bosque del Recuerdo in Retiro Park. It is a memorial garden to remember those who died in the 2004 Madrid train bombings.
This was one of the first places I went to in the city of Madrid. It was emotional for me standing there because I knew that this place held a lot of meaning to so many people. It especially has a lot of meaning to those who visit this park to remember their loved ones. I wish we could have walked around the park more because it was very peaceful and beautiful.
May 11, 2012
On our way to visit the Palacio Real, we stopped at the Plaza de Espana.
This is a statue of Miguel de Cervantes and below him is Don Quixote and Sancho Panza.
Plaza de Espana
Visited the Palacio Real on May 11, 2012
The Palacio Real is the royal palace of Madrid. It is located in downtown Madrid which is called "Old Madrid." It was built by Spain's first Bourbon kings and is the largest palace in Europe. It has almost 3,000 rooms, and we were able to tour some of them while we were there. The rooms were lavishly decorated and reflected the tastes and imaginations of Carlos III and Carlos IV. The palace also includes works of Francisco de Goya and Velazquez. I found the dining room to be most impressive because of the enormous table and the 15 chandeliers that hung from the ceiling.
Scarlet, Shantel, Me, Piedad, and Julien at the Palacio Real
Visited the Prado Museum on May 11, 2012
Statue of Franciso de Goya outside of the Prado Museum
This museum displays many great Spanish paintings ranging from the 12th to 19th centuries. Famous works of art include masterpieces by Goya and Velazquez. It also has Italian and Femish works of art too. I was able to see Goya's masterpiece The Naked Maja, and his series of "Black Paintings." I enjoyed seeing all of the paintings, but I liked The Garden of Earthly Delights by Bosch in particular. I believe I liked it the most because it is complex and the detail makes you want to examine it closer.
The Garden of Earthly Delights - it is called a triptych because it is divided into three sections
Left- Adam and Eve, center- The Garden of Delights, right- depicts dark torments of hell
Two Old Men Eating Soup by Goya
Bullfight at the Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas
May 11, 2012
Bullfight at the Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas
May 11, 2012
Visited the Museo Reina Sofia on May 12, 2012
Guernica
Pablo Picasso
Photographs were not allowed in the Guernica exhibit, but I did take some other photos of Picasso's work.
Lunch time in Spain
I ate Paella mixta outside a cafe near my hotel
Paella consists of rice, vegetables and either pork, seafood or both. Bread is always served with all meals. During lunch time (1:00 to 5:00pm), restaurants serve Menu del Dia. The Menu del Dia may include a salad, main dish, dessert and drink. It may also include more than one main dish. This is the most economical way to eat in Spain because lunch is their biggest meal of the day. Lunch usually costs around 10 to 15 euro. You can choose to eat inside or outside at a restaurant. Many people choose to sit outside to eat under the shade of an umbrella. Sometimes your table is situated between a busy sidewalk and a street filled with cars so there is always entertainment as you eat your lunch.
Tables, chairs, and umbrellas were common along all the streets in Spain.
I imagine this to be a typical day in Sol
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Several people from our tour group went to a restaurant and ate Tapas. Tapas is a variety of different dishes. People at one table share different traditional dishes instead of each person having their own individual dish. We were served a Tortilla de patatas, which was delicious along with sangria. I have no complaints in regards to all of the food I ate. It was all very good.
Tapas Restaurant
Protest beginning to form near the Reina Sofia and down the street. Thousands gathered in Puerta del Sol to protest against the government. Spain's unemployment rate is over 20% and is the highest in Europe. Puerta del Sol is considered to be a major gathering place in the heart of Madrid and is considered "ground zero" for this protest. Overall, from what little I saw, it appeared to be a peaceful protest. I have some video of some of the people gathering outside of the hotel and the Reina Sofia. If it is good, I may try to upload it.
Carlos III monument in Puerta del Sol
