Madrid Diary
Saturday October 11.
Flew directly from Copenhagen to Madrid and arrived at my hotel Principe Pio late in the afternoon.
Sunday October 12.
Went to the El Rastro market, where I stayed for almost all day and where I bought Christmas presents. Late in the day I visited Puerto Del Sol and Plaza Mayor.
Monday October 13.
All museums were closed on Mondays, so my planned visit to Prado had to be postponed. Instead I visited the Royal Castle and the surroundings including Almudena Cathedral.
Tuesday October 14.
I visited Prado, but only saw half the collection. Afterwards I visited The Retiro Park with the memory for Alfonzo XII. I wanted to eat at the opera café because the waiters here sing and entertain their guests. It starts at 10 p.m. This evening there were no performance, and I chose to eat at another restaurant.
Wednesday October 15.
I started at the Reina Sofia museum, where Pablo Picasso’s famous painting Guernica now is hanging... There are other Picasso paintings as well and also other painters from the same time period. Later I saw the remaining part of the Prado museum.
Thursday October 16.
I started at the Egyptian temple on top of Parque del Oeste. I would have taken the ropeway to Casa del Campo but it was only open during week-ends. Instead I visited the Museo de America with expositions of Indian artifacts from the former Spanish colonies. I had my lunch at the lake on Casa del Campo. Late in the day I went to Zoo Aquarium also placed at Casa del Campo. Here I video filmed a dolphin performance.
Friday October 17.
I visited the last of the greater art museums Thyssen Bornemisza. Originally this was a private collection, but it is now bought by the Spanish state. The collection spans over paintings from 1300 century over impressionism and expressionism to modern time. Emil Nolde and Edward Munch are represented.
Saturday October 18.
I flew home over Frankfort.