Day 37 February 7, 2009 Saturday

Saturday

We got up early at the hotel and had a long breakfast! Spanish style! I never eat for the 2 hours given for each meal, but today we pretty much satisfied that criteria. I ate my weight in bread and jam. Just like in Switzerland. Maria would be proud! And by 10:00 we were ready to start are day, but not full because of the white carb consumption!

We went to Palacio Real first. The Palace, finished in the 18th century, was gorgeous and had a view of the mountains and a large part of the city. It was built here after a fire destroyed the fist palace so it could view the mountains and watch for any incoming invasions. The mountains in the distance where snowcapped and romantic looking! The crowing room was my favorite we saw in the castle. Statues came out of the ceiling and there was painted work as well and carved work. It had everything you could ever imagine an artist could do on the ceiling. The room was small and cozy, but plated with gold. The statue’s torsos looked so lifelike in each corner when reached out and their painted bodies where so detailed. The city from the palace courtyard looked gorgeous! So many artifacts were preserved over the years. And some kings and queens tried ruining previous generation’s works just because it didn’t follow their ideals.

Just like people in Barcelona people were showing pda. But this couple was almost having sex in the middle of the square. And all the real life statues were around them. So the boys went behind them and pretended to be making out, and adding sexual innuendos. It took them five minutes to look and they stop to see our whole group laughing and taking pictures of the guys mimicking them behind their displays of affection. The best part was the three boys were a complete mash up of friends groups on our program! Teaches people right for groping in public! (Just like cock blocking at the frats last year!)

We visited the Mueseo del Prado. We viewed Goya arts, Picassos, Dahli’s and Velequiz. It is considered in the top 5 in the world for museums. Later I learned that many people believe it is unfair that the Prado keeps the Castilian artists work instead of Cataluña just because the can afford it. It should go to the people. But I saw the Mesuailas painting and it was amazing to see in person. I also loved a giant painting that was one of the first to use depth perception. We saw paintings that inspired fantasia and other famous European painters. After the museum we attempted to jump the cows they had in the park. I jumped and straddled one, but Katie kept trying and had the best battle cries! People were laughing all around us watching her attempt to jump on the cow! We visited the most gorgeous park (the one I saw yesterday), but we saw the fountains and the giant arches! This is truly the best park in Madrid.(Besides the supposed zoo which has a baby Koala, we could see these grounds from the palace!)

I laid with Steve and watched European Basketball! Just as boring as US Basketball, but they are shorter and white! We had dinner at fun pizzeria in the heart of the old district of Madrid just right outside the plaza! I had tuna pizza and we just sat and enjoyed the night! We went to a bar and were invited to a party in the basement! People had painted on mustaches and we didn’t know what kind of party it was!

After the bar Katie and I went home with Eric and John! John and I stayed up the whole night listening to Used and showing him my hometown and my friends in it! It was so much fun to stay up the whole night in Madrid, I showed john muck Sticky and he loved it. T-hawk boys be proud! When Katie and I left at 6 am the full moon was out over the Palace! It was so romantic! The moon was so large and white and it looked like a fairy tale over the Hapsburg castle! When we came home we met so many 50 year old drunk people just drinking! Some had sombreros and were just going crazy! Good Ol’ Spain! Wherever you go they party! I NEED TO COME BACK TO MADRID WHEN I HAVE MORE TIME!