Madrid, Madrid

Today started with breakfast in the hotel.  We had to rush to leave by 8:30 am because there was a parade today - honoring when Spain revolted against Napoleonic rule.  Shops were closed and so were businesses. Are you counting?  Everything was closed in Portugal on April 25.  May 1 was Labor Day and shops were closed.  Today was May 2nd and shops were closed.  Of course, restaurants and souvenir shops were open. 

 We had a four hour city tour.  Madrid is a beautiful city with large green areas. It is about the size of Chicago.  We also saw the outside of cathedrals, the Royal Palace, many museums, etc. The day is sunny and in the high 60’s.  We were back by 12:30 pm. 

The four of us when to a Mexican cafe for lunch (Madrid like most international cities has many different cuisines.} Chuck had killer tacos.  He couldn’t figure out if they were named that because of all the red onions or because they were difficult to eat.  Also had quesadillas with hamon (Spanish ham).  M. Bought nachos for all.  Chuck and I took a taxi and went to see Picasso’s Guernica at Centro de Arte Reina Sofia.  Granddaughter, THB, had studied the painting and wanted us to see it.  It was huge—about 10 foot high and 25 feet long.  It was a real experience to see the painting in the presence of many students.  Our guides have mentioned the significance of the work depicting Spain’s civil war several times.  It was housed in New York until after Dictator Franco died.  Picasso’s will declared that it could be brought back to Spain after the end of the Dictatorship and it was.   Finished the afternoon with a glass of sherry in the hotel bar. 

Tomorrow morning we leave early for our flight home.  Will probably blog again after we get home.  So Long!!