Nov 30, 2009 - Two days ago we left Barcelona for Madrid. Our mode of travel was the fast train (known as AVE – Alta Velocidad Espanola) which only takes about 3 hours for the journey. There’s only one stop en route, Zaragoza. The highest speed was 302k/h (over 200 miles/hour) and it felt as smooth as silk. The train is very modern, clean, comfortable with big windows to watch the countryside whisk by.
Although Madrid is slightly larger than Barcelona, it seems much more crowded. Perhaps it’s the construction. Everywhere you turn, on every street it seems there is something being torn up. And a lot of it looks like it will be many people’s life-long careers by the way the work is going.
Another hop on/hop off bus gave us a great introduction and helped to figure out how to get around. A special treat came about mid way of the tour when the sunset. Now we enjoyed the Christmas lights all over the city. In every plaza there was a BIG metal tree that was outlined by lights and had snowflakes of lights in the middle. Each plaza was a different color theme. Strung across streets were lighted decorations as well. There was a street with little snowflakes as far as you could see. Another had Christmas ornaments, and another had halos – all in beautiful bright colors. It’s really magical to travel during the holidays.
Our visits included the Prado, Madrid’s premiere museum. Evenings it’s free so we took advantage of this as well as the fact that we will have 2 full days to enjoy other sights. The Prado gives one an opportunity to learn about the great Spanish painters such as El Greco, Velazquez and of course, Goya. The following morning we are met by Christina, our personal guide. She takes us through the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum (the locals fondly refer to it as “the Thyssen”). Baron Hans Heinrich Thyssen-Barnemisza and his son collected more than 800 items from paintings, sculpture, carvings, tapestries as well as silver and gold that make up this private collection. They acquired such an array from various times that it’s like a history lesson of Western art. After Christina shows us the highlights (3 hours), she takes us on a wonderful walking tour of the historic area of Madrid. Along the way, we see the produce market, we see the special Christmas market, and get some suggestions for restaurants along the way.
Monday most museums are closed but the Royal Palace is open so we venture across the city to visit this beautiful building built in the 18th century. Since it’s my birthday, I think how fitting to be in a palace. The royal families across Europe really knew how to decorate over the top and this palace is no exception. Every room is full of walled tapestries, painted ceilings with gold leaf, and crystal chandeliers. We made dinner reservations at the Teatre Real (Royal Theater) Restaurant inside the Royal Opera House. Although there are no performances (opening night is Friday), the restaurant is open and gives us a glimpse of the theater as we are escorted to the 2nd level and have to walk through three royal waiting rooms before entering the restaurant. We learn that the restaurant was actually a ballroom and lavish dances and parties would be held the same time as the performances so people could go from “seeing” a performance on stage to “being” the performance in the ballroom. This is a magnificent place. Through the night there would be only a total of 4 tables of patrons. It’s like having our own private dining experience. Each course is better than the last. It’s served with such attention and genuine care to be sure we are enjoying it. But the best course of the entire evening wasn’t served by our waiter, Louis. It was served by Jeff when he got down on bended knew and proposed to me. He presented me with the engagement ring of his mother’s. It’s so beautiful. It is indeed the most wonderful birthday.