Prado

The Prado Museum was an easy walk from the hotel, in a safe neighborhood on a beautiful day. It gave us an appreciation for big city life as we have always lived in small communities. Madrid is a vibrant, beautiful city, green, clean, teeming with people and beautiful architecture. Walking is a way of life and the cafés and restaurants/cafeterias overflow to the sidewalks where groups, couples and families stop to eat and chat. The people take their time and actually talk to each other. I didn't see people typing on phones while sat with others.

                                                                The Prado

While walking around the Prado Museum today I was thinking about my Grade 10 teacher, Sister Matthew. Sister allowed some of her students to teach part of the History unit on the Renaissance. I taught the section on Renaissance Art after weeks of preparation. Since then I've enjoyed art galleries, thanks to Sister Matthew. Without that experience, I don't know when or how I would have developed an appreciation for art of all kinds.

                                       Spanish guitar outside the Prado

Have you ever finally seen something that you have only ever seen in pictures? The surprise when you enter a gallery and there is a famous work by Velazquez, Bosch or Goya. The people stood back, observing, reading or listening to descriptions of the work. What gifted artists there have been and what beauty they still bring to the world centuries later!

                      Ready for the evening

The Prado is a masterpiece well worth seeing and Madrid is its glorious frame!