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Other entries in Madrid

Yay for Holiday!

Today we woke up a bit more rested after a good nights sleep in a soft and springy bed. we arrived via autobús yesterday to Madrid but despite the sun still being strong until 930 or so, neither my dad or i had much energy to make much of the night. we went to bed early and as a result, rose early this morning.

we went to investigate the Prado Museum, apparently a collection to rival the Lourve but yet a little lesser known. when we arrived, we found a friendly woman standing at the gates telling us that because it was Monday, it was closed, but would we like to donate a few euros to the handicapped childrens fund? for a free map? why not.

we went then to a museum she assured us would be open and also found it closed. but at this one, there were no charitable vendors but instead, equally lost looking spaniards who concluded that the closed museum must be a result of the holiday celebrated on this date, El Diá de San Isidro. we were just out of luck. Pops and i looked into taking a train to Toledo, a town an hour south, just for a day trip similar to our journey to Girona but the trains schedule didnt meet with ours so we passed. we then headed out to the bull fighting arena to look into tickets for tonight or the following day. all of todays tickets were sold out at the box office but could be procured through your local scalper at a reasonable 400 times inflated price. we bought tickets for tomorrow for 5 euro a piece. coincidentally, just moments ago on the walk home from dinner, we passed a cantina showing bullfighting (usually bullfighting is only on sundays but we arrived at a plentiful time, the San Isidro Festival, where they hold fights for 20 days straight) and i watched as a bull stood on his last legs and bled out his nostrils until finally collapsing in the sand. i didnt realize how brutal it could be. but that was up close with a camera so i assume our 5 euro seats wont show stuff like that.

so where was i, oh yeah, we bought bullfighting tickets for tomorrow. after that we took the metro back to a 300 acre park that was originally used for a hunting ground. it was a beautiful place filled with families and old people enjoying the day off from work and the routine. we lunched at a cafe in the shade and i thoroughly enjoyed people watching because i got to see a child, age probably 3, run away from his table cause his mom was distracted with his sister and then sit in the dirt and sample the local drain water that had been collecting in a metal ditch. his mom saw this and rushed over lightly scolding him but mostly smiling because it was pretty funny. he tested it by dipping his finger in the water then while it was still dripping, looked over his shoulder to show his momma then with a smile, stuck his wet finger in his mouth and sucked. these are the simple pleasures i need out of life. keep it coming.

after the meal in the park, we left to returned for a snack and a nap. reminds me of kindergarten. we woke up in time to eat again and this time elected to go to the Plaza Mayor near our hotel. one great thing about Europe so far has been the mass amounts of public spaces and the general publics shown appreciation for them. all of these places are packed with people enjoying each others company and the sight of people around them. there are entertainers, candy vendors, street performers, outdoor cafes, and my personal favorite, a shitton of pidgeons. we sat at a covered table outside and took in the scene. dinner was ham and cheese, wine, a pork chop combination platter for myself and dad had a grilled fish fillet with garlic. and while we were dining, San Isidro Day finally paid off. without warning, a large procession of police cars followed by mounted renaissance era soldiers came into the plaza in a parade. they were followed by foot soldiers, more paraders, a full marching band, more soldiers, and finally, the man of the hour, San Isidro himself. although he was too tired, or stiff, rather, to walk himself, he had to be carried probably due in part because he was a statue. when he entered the square, a wild fever took ahold of the crowd and there was lots of cheering and shouts of appreciation. i even heard a few ¨eres el hombre! (You the man!)¨. so clearly, the people were happy to see him. it was cool to witness this celebration of someone who passed so long ago. the fact that they take a full day out of their yearly schedule to do this was kinda cool. well, im glad that they gave us something for our minor inconveniences today.

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