I spent the last week in Madrid, exploring art and architecture and history.
The naive side of me wasn't expecting the art scene that I encountered. But, I should have known better coming to the home of Velazquez, Goya, Miro, Picasso, Dali, and many others. The Prado was amazing, and Reina Sofia was cool (it has Guernica after all); but I honestly liked the Thyssen the best. It is a smaller museum but has a great selection and variety from the 13th century all the way to mid 20th century art. It also has the best international representation including the Dutch masters, the impressionists and the Americas. The current temporary exhibition is Georgia O'Keefe.
Madrid is also scattered with architectural gems, including a bull fighting ring (I didn't realize that was still a thing), and of course, Plazas galore!
I finished my Madrid week with a day trip to Segovia, just outside Madrid. That is an amazing town with a castle, a 1st century Roman aqueduct; a grand cathedral, and many wondeful little streets and churches, dating to the 13th century.
The one thing I have never been able to get used to is the late hours that the Spaniards keep. (it is the same in Argentina, but oddly not the rest of Latin America). Dinner time is after 10:00 PM, and bedtime is after midnight. And, apparently "quiet time" is not a concept at all. I am looking forward to a good night's sleep soon! But, it may have to wait a few days. At the moment, I am on a train traveling 180 mph towards Barcelona.
