The Prado, not PRADA

Greetings once again from Madrid! I'm pleased to say that today was MUCH better than yesterday. No riots, just a bike race, and fantastic weather.

I started my morning with an impromptu jog to the pharmacy. Thad had a headache all night, and I wanted to be there when they opened. Unfortunately, I was 3 hours too early (bad info from the hotel front desk). NOTHING was open that sold ibuprofen. So, I opted for the next logical option:espresso and chocolate pastries. I asked the young barista helping me where I could find an open pharmacy, he said not for many hours. I told him that this was our only full day in Madrid, my husband has a horrible headache, and if I don't get him something soon...well, you get the picture.  He, like most Madridians that we have encountered, was supremely nice, and offered 2 tablets from his personal stash (600 mg, still in the box, and sealed in the original packaging). I graciously accepted, and returned to the hotel speedily....managing to spill hot coffee down my arm, even though it was only about 1/4 of the way full, and had a lid on it. Those of you that know me, are not surprised by this. 

I love the architecture in Europe. Every building is more gorgeous than the last.

After making our way back downtown (which was largely closed due to a bike race), we stopped for a bite to eat. It was uneventful, but filling. Complete with an accordion player asking for donations every song.

I have always wanted to go to The Prado Museum. It was a huge regret not to have seen it the last time I was here, and was not about to repeat it. But it didn't look good. We knew we were in the vicinity, and asked directions. I even wrote it down. This is were we were sent.

I said PRADO, not PRADA

11 minutes later, we arrived at the real thing (thanks to a nice man at Brooks Brothers that spoke English, and Google Mapped/walked it for me). 

It was spectacular. Not as large as I thought it would be. Nothing like The Louvre or Smithsonian collections, but very well put together, and beautiful. 

My husband was scolded for taking this picture (without flash). I admit, it was my fault. I love this painting "The lovers of Tereul." It's soo Romeo and Juliet. They fell madly in love, he went off to seek his fortune, her father makes her marry a man she can't stand, he (her love comes back), he dies of a broken heart, and she dies on his casket. 

It is huge, and beautiful, like soo many other pieces at the museum.

Now we are off to dinner. More tomorrow. Oh yeah, and France: our gateway to the Pyrenees.