More Madrid...

We spent the next morning at El Museo del Prado. It is a museum that houses paintings by a huge variety of artists, including Velasquez, Rivera, Ruben, Goya and the famous el Greco. The first hour or two, we had a tour guide take us around and explain the significance of a few pieces from each gallery. We were able to have a break for cafe con leche and tapas (which becomes part of our daily routine when we are touring), then we were on our own for the day.

A few of us decided to go back into the galleries to spend more time looking at the paintings that interested us. I had fun having intellectual conversations about different artists' styles and comparing our likes and dislikes.

I really enjoyed this part of the day, as I think it is what I imagined college would be like. Well, not specifically being in a museum in Madrid, but being able to challenge and compare the ideas and of my peers. I love bouncing ideas off other students who are also interested in engaging in that type of educated conversation. It's one thing to learn about art history in a classroom, while it's a completely different experience to be able to stand in front of an artist's original work and discuss its reflection of history with my peers. So much fun :)

Since we had the rest of the day to ours

elves, a group of us decided to go to the park across from the museum. Now, this is not just a park with gardens like we expected, but comparable to Central Park in New York. There were fountains, after rows of trees, after more fountains and park and playgrounds... even a lake with people boating in front of a huge monument on the other side. It was beautiful!

Oh and we had AMAZING Kabob on our way back to the hotel. It might be a toss up between the Spanish tortilla and the kabob for my favorite food in Spain (so far).

And I don't know how I would survive this trip without naps... all of the windows everywhere in Spain have those light proof shades, which makes it easy to fall asleep in the middle of the day. We told our professor (Dr. H - I will probably mention him more) that we love how Spaniards have a set "siesta" time, but he told us that Spaniards don't actually nap during the siesta time of the day (from 2 - 5 pm). The majority of shops are closed, and people just go home from work and school for lunch and to spend time with family before going back to work.

Now while this makes sense, I don't understand how Spaniards have the energy to work all day, and stay out all night. In Spain, most bars don't even open until midnight, and the discotecas (dance clubs) don't open until 2 AM! When we went out that night, it amazed me how many people were out and about so late at night! By 2 am, we were all exhausted, but it seemed that night was only beginning.

I don't think I will be able to adjust to this lifestyle without my siesta :)