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Published: January 27th 2009
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So we spent the day in Madrid today…(Friday) So Exciting. It’s an absolutely beautiful city with so much history...
I think that’s the one thing that really seems to get me here-all the history around me. It’s something we lack big-time in the United States. Even the bit of history you can find is only usually a few hundred years old.. Here, it goes on forever! (Well, almost)
As a group, we toured Palacio Real. It was amazing. It is the official residence of the monarchs, but it isn’t used for that anymore. The last time a king lived there was I believe in the 1930’s. (Spain does still have a king btw, but he is just a symbol. He doesn’t make political decisions. I am learning a bunch in my history class! Spain has a Parliamental Monarchy…)
So, this place was gorgeous. I bought a string of postcards with pictures of a few of the rooms. (I have pictures here OF the postcards I bought.) There were pictures of some of my favorite rooms. Each one was ornately decorated… it was incredible.
My favorite room had silk hangings on the walls with embroidery on almost every inch
of it, decorations all over the ceiling.. it was probably the busiest and craziest room there, but I loved it Besides that one, almost all the rooms had the ceilings painted with great pictures that told stories… I could go on and on!
There was also a room where they kept the instruments for the string quartet.. I saw a violin that was made in the 1700’s-that was a very cool moment.
There is one room that is still used in the palace and that is the dining room. It is enormous with room to seat 150. I guess the president, king, and other political leaders along with presidents of other countries sometimes eat there.. yadda yadda yadda… Very neat to see
I hope you enjoy the pictures of the postcards!
After our tour, we had a short bus tour of the city, then we ate at Museo de Jamón.. or The Ham Museum. It was good The thing that fascinated me the most was the waiters who could carry 7 plates of food in ONE HAND. Wow! I should have taken a picture…An of course, there were all the pig legs hanging from the ceiling. I
have a picture of that here to share with you. Those things never cease to gross me out. I just can't eat the meat. I have nothing against those who do... but they just look disgusting!
We had 3 hours after our lunch at Museo de Jamón to walk around before the bus left to go back to Toledo. A group of us hung out together, and one of the girl’s boyfriend is studying in Madrid so he came and took us around the city. It is so beautiful! One of the neatest things I saw was the crypt. It was gorgeous, sad and creepy all at the same time…
We also got Starbucks! That was a wonderful treat. I have been missing the big cups of coffee to-go from the states.. All the coffee here is good, but in one size (small) and they aren’t used to giving it to-go! I end up getting a tiny plastic cup that practically melts when they put the coffee in it.
We also went to a Plaza that at one point was used for hangings. = /
All around town right now in Madrid they have a Cow
exhibit.. A bunch of different artists were given the same cow to decorate and they are displayed all around the city. They are great places to take pictures…Other people in our group took a lot of the pictures with there camera, so unfortunately I don’t have too many to show you
Madrid is an amazing city and I am really excited to visit it again. The streets are loaded with people and there's a lot of modern things (McD's, KFC, Starbucks, Burger King..) but the city itself is still so old and some of the old streets are still there. It's kind of like a bigger (much much bigger), more modern version of Toledo!
For those who are wondering..I would have gone to the Prado Museum, but my art class is going there twice, and also to another museum in Madrid! So I will be in Madrid atleast three more times, but I also plan on dragging my mom and aunt there when they come to visit... You guys will Love it!
Okay, I need to go eat lunch. I am STILL not used to the eating schedule here..although I think I am begining to adjust.Dinner time
Palacio Real
My favorite room! Took 40 years to complete it is fine and all (eating at 9:30) but waiting for lunch until two is terrible! Haha Twix from the vendind machine at school has become my new fix at 12 every day.
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Lisa
non-member comment
Hmm
Isn't funny how we can spend our entire life in our own country and when we leave and go elsewhere it is the little things we miss. For you a nice cup of Starbucks coffee. What will it be for Lois and me? Love you