Madrid 2

We had been warned that Spain would be incredibly hot. So, we were a bit unprepared for today's cold and rainy weather. However, we didn't let it hold us back. We began our day by picking up breakfast at the San Miguel market a slightly more high end market that is housed within a small glass paned structure and includes a bakery, coffee shop, book store, and appliance stand as well as the expected fruits, vegetables, and other fresh foods. From there we went to the Almuneda Cathedral. It took 110 years to build so while it was originally intended to be a Gothic style structure the plan changed and ended up being neoclassical. The interior is made of white stone and so bright. The multiple chapels and stained-glass windows are designed in a much more modern and colorful manner than those we have seen elsewhere. Next we went to the Palacio Real, the palace that was once home to the Spanish Royal Family. All of the rooms were so luxuriously decorated. Every room had a Fresco on the ceiling, lushly upholstered walls, and multiple crystal chandeliers. Even the dressing room was beyond extravagant. It was a nice break from the rain. After lunch we decided to go to the Prado Museum as another indoor activity. We walked through almost every gallery and viewed masterpieces by Spanish painters such as Goya, Velazquez, and El Grecco as well as Italian, French, Dutch, Flemmish, German, and English painters as well. It was exciting to see some works I have studied such as Las Meninas by Velazquez and Goyas' The Third of May. I also very much enjoyed The Garden of Earthly Delights by Bosch. On our walk back to the hostel we passed through the Plaza de la Cibeles