Today we thought very hard about venturing up to the modern part of Madrid with its scintillating, new skyscrapers. However, looking at the map we noticed we’d be walking over 7 km one way. We decided to ditch that for going to the Prado for a full day. We went in, bought our tickets, and then started touring the museum. We spent our first three hours looking at the main collection. We particularly enjoyed Bosch, and two works from Hans Baldung Grien. One, which was there the first time I was in Spain, was and allegory for time and death, with a young woman, an old hag, and death all together. The second I’m pretty sure wasn’t there, is the pair of the set, and is a painting of the three graces and harmony. Together they are very compelling.

After a while we got tired, so we went and got coffee at Starbucks, then went back and went through an exhibition they currently have called “La Belleza Encerrada”. It’s all things that have recently been restored, and all small pieces that are meant to be seen up close. It took us nearly three hours to make it through that one, as well, but it was really cool. they had everything from a crystal, silver and ivory processional crucifix from 1300, to Fra Angelico’s Annunciation, to Reuben’s 5 senses paintings, El Greco, statues, and cool little paintings of types of animals. It was very involved and actually very large.

By the time we were done at the Prado it was almost 6, and we were very hungry, so we went to Museo del Jamon, a chain spanish restaurant, where we got a tasting menu and Sidra Asturiana. It was very, very good, but I was really sad cause they ran out of Morcilla! We do plan on going back, though. I will not leave without having had some morcilla!!!