The Genius of Velasquez . . .

Today, I have my prearranged ticket to the Prado Museum and it was early this morning when I woke up late that I realized that I probably shouldn’t have stayed up so late last night. But I coulnd't help myself! Anyway, I got ready in Olympic world record time and was out the door!

I politely ask the front desk how long is it to the Prado. And he confirmed what I probably already knew. It will take me 15 minutes to walk there and he said I could take the metro but it would end up being the same time! So I’m now thinking that I’m going to be so late. As I walked out the door a taxi was just driving by and I waved him down. It was about 3.30 and was worth every penny. I avoided the ticket and main entrance line because I had read some where on Slow Travel about the ability to purchase these ticket's on line to avoid the long lines. And it workded. I avoided the line and walked to the side where they scanned my on line ticket voucher and I was in.

I have been looking so forward to my visit especially after watching Sister Wendy’s DVD that was recommended by AnnieNC. The Prado is huge and I find a floor plan with a list of the most famous master pieces. I was looking forward to seeing Velasquez and Goya’s work the most and they did not disappoint me. Let’s talk about my favorite, Les Meninas by Velasquez (also Sister Wendy’s favorite). I was really surprised by the sheer size of the painting which demands your attention the second you walk into the room that displays it. There are other really wonderful paintings too like La infants dona margarita de Austria where her eyes pull you in. But Les Meninas is the show case attraction and that is evident by the constant flow of tour groups stopping in front of it. By the way, I would highly recommend that anyone visiting the Prado try to get there as early as possible. Everything about this painting is so impressive and works in whole and in part. Tour group after tour group spoke of the importance of this piece and of the sheer genius in Velasquez to paint such a masterpiece. I totally agree. My other favorites, The Annunciation by Fra Angelico, The Immaculate Conception by Murillo, The Holy Trinity by El Greco, The Family of Charles IV by Goya. I spent about 6 hours in the Prado and really could’ve spent more as you really have to sit there and study each detail to really appreciate each work of art. The color, the eyes and expressions on the faces, the form of the bodies and the little details that are in the painting. It's like there is a story within the story. Watching Sister Wendy’s DVD on Art Appreciation really helped me so much to appreciate my time here (Thanks so much AnnieNC).

I got a little distracted today so didn’t quite make it to the Almudena Cathedral. I’m hoping to do that tomorrow after the big Fiesta de la Almudena which is tomorrow. Today, they were preparing the Stage for tommorow's big public mass in Plaza Mayor and then the procession begins starts in Puerto de Sol, Plaza Oriente and the Plaza Isabel. And there are flowers laid all day at the Plaza de la Almudena. This will be so cool. So although it is early by Madrid standards (12:24 pm), I’m going to call it a night so I can be rested to attend the Fiesta tomorrow.

Here is a really cool tapas bar where I had my very first Calamari Tapas! It was so good! Tapas bar crawl/hopping has to been an art form. Everyone knows what to do and I feel so inexperienced, but the great thing is the people are so cool and friendly and will always help you out. What I really wanted to take a photo of is all the great photos on the walls autographed by probably some famous bull fighters. I'll have to get the name of the bar and post it later. It is located just off the side of the Plaza Mayor (my new favorite hang out on this trip!).

And although I don't eat it, I had to go into this bar. Sometimes I wish I could taste it, it all looked so good.


And just so you know that I'm seeing other things besides Tapa Bars . . . here's the Puerto de Sol


Maria once told me that the one thing she remembered about her trip to Madrid was the beautiful Blue skies. And I too will remember this for years to come. Here is Madrid's beautiful skies with Velasquez and the Prado Museum. By the way the weather so far has been pretty fantastic for November!