MADRID

So I'm back writing on my blog, I was at first having a hard time keeping up and documenting all of my trips and such since I've never been good with a journal/diary or anything like this, but after being notified by my mom that I would be receiving financial compensation for each new post, I figured I would start up again. (I am a college kid studying abroad after all, I need the $$).

So two weekends ago was my first trip outside of Barcelona to the capital city of Madrid.  Our program arranged this trip so we took an "Ave" train which is one of their bullet trains that clocks up to like 150 mph.  We got to our hotel which was in a very centrally located area, and then decided to be tourists and do some site seeing.  We were only just a block from the Plaza Mayor (see pic above), which is Madrid's main square with tons of street performers and restaurants.  I had been recommended by another CEA student who had gone to Madrid the previous week that we had to visit "El Parque Retiro" which is kind of the "Central Park" of Madrid.  It was absolutely beautiful and she also recommended that we must do the boat rides on the lake.  It was only 4 euros so we gladly signed up.

After getting to know the city the first day we had one of the best meals I've had since being abroad at this little hole in the wall called "Doña Antonia" and I had a deliciously fresh chicken sandwich on a pita.  We loved this restaurant so much we went back the next night, and I had one of the best hamburgers I've ever had in my life.  But the second day we got up early to go on the guided bus/walking tour.  Madrid's architecture blew me away, and one can really feel the historical sense of the city from their buildings and architecture.

Feeling touristy and engulfed by the historical feeling of Madrid, one of my roommates Charlotte and I walked over El Museo de la Reina Sofia, which in English is the Queen Sofia Museum.  It's their museum of contemporary and modern art.  It was a striking building and an amazing experience seeing some of the world's most famous works.  It's definitely a privilege to say I got to see Picasso's masterpiece "Guernica" up close.

Later that night we decided to go out and experience Madrid's nightlife and our CEA chaperone recommended a local bar called "La Vía Láctea" which translates to "The Milky Way" in English.  It was definitely an experience as the bar was located on a dark alleyway and had posters of American 80s bands, and was playing tacky American 80s films, but nonetheless a fun one at that.

On our last day, since I had discovered that I really enjoyed museums, I knew I wasn't going to leave Madrid without seeing El Prado, one of the world's most famous and impressive art museums.  I couldn't take any pictures inside but the building on the outside was a work of art in itself. (See picture above).  The murals and masterpieces I saw on the inside totally affirmed my love for classic art.  I walked out of the museum extremely pleased that I had made sure to spend a few hours there, and would highly recommend anyone who visits Madrid must visit El Prado.

Overall, it was a quick but really educational/enlightening trip.  The fact that I got to see 2 of the world's most famous art museums was really exciting, and now I CANNOT wait for my trip to Paris to see some more world famous works of art!