MADRID DAY 2

Another heroic day.

After bread and coffee in a nearby paneria we were surprised to be ahead of the city morning routine at 9AM. No stores open till 10 or 11. Likewise, we were too early for a second visit to the Prado, opening at 10 so we went looking for the Glass Pavilion in the Royal Park. After a lot of aimless walking in the park we found it. OK! Next! 

On to the recommended Chureca neighborhood. First a blunder ending up at the Archeological Museum. Then, a course correction and success after a stop for fresh orange juice and advice from locals.

On the way I decided against buying a toreador outfit or a motorcycle, paid my respects to a ceramic Cervantes and caught someone studying a brunch menu.

In the boutiquy Chureca neighborhood we strolled, toured the upscale St. Anton Market and picked up a selection of tapas for lunch back at the hotel.

Then a walk back to the hotel. On the walk back through main streets we saw an interesting modern version of the decorative faces usually found near the entrances of important buildings, fine tromp l'oiel facade on construction and innumerable stacks of cobblestones ready for insertion by hand into the streets and sidewalks. After the tapa lunch, we napped until 5.

At 6 we were on the line for free admission(6 to 8) to the Prado for a visit to Heironymous Bosch, Breughel the Elder, Era Angelico and Goya primarily. The Prado is relatively difficult to get around so the benches were used frequently.

Then a hunt for dinner where we bumped into one of the hotel clerks and the vacationing hotel manager who recommended the place where they were eating but Emma eased us out of that and found a funkier place in the neighborhood where we felt we were closer to the real thing, with soccer banners on the wall and waitresses who kept you from ordering too much. Garlic soup, calamari, white asparagus , Roma beans, a bottle of Albarino white and flan. More than enough and quite good. Nearby 3 Chileans with whom we had a good conversation and who let us sample their dish of pig's ear.

At 10 back to the hotel through quiet streets.

END