9/22/15: Day 2 - Getting Started

On our first day, we did explore Plaza Mayo.  It is huge.  There are dozens of restaurants, most with out door seating as well as indoor.  Many shops.  We found a small deli type tienda.  We bought cheese, bread, chorizo, pop and wine.  This was steps from our apartment.  We unpacked settled in and planned next day. Had great light dinner on our deck ( we are on the top floor).  Had beautiful weather and tried our best to stay awake.

Day two, we slept in (a little).  Found a small cafe on the plaza.  We had churros and thinly sliced iberico ham on toasted french bread.  Leaving the restaurant, I didn't realize I had left my credit card case there. Made for excitement when I first tried to use my card several hours later. They had it and held it for me.  I tipped them generously.  Speaking of tipping, it is rare here and if used, not to the extent we normally do. It is nice.  It is, also, great that the servers are paid a livable wage and more.

We walked about a mile through much of the old city down to the Museo Prado area.  It is beautiful. There are two other serious art museums as we'll as other types of museums and institutions of learning. The Sofia Real holds Guernica, maybe Picassos' most famous work. The Botanical Gardens are located here. Also, the Parque del Retiro is in this location. Both  look incredible.  We will visit them later.  Today (3/23) we see the Prado.

We did a bus tour of parts of the new and old town.  Went to the Thyssen-Bornemisza Art Museo. This was a family held collection of two generations.  It was acquired by the Spainish government in the 1990s.  It contains hundreds of paintings going back to the 15th century up to the 1950s.  The best  holdings are from the abstract, cubist and surrealist eras.  However, ther is a very good representation of the old masters. We walked through the section of the old town that houses many of the original governmental and religious buildings.  They are amazing. The most startling is the Palacio de
Cibeles.  This building has had many uses. Now it is for the offices of the mayor and City Hall.

Slightly larger and more ornate than Athens City Hall (see pictures). Inspiring- a huge banner hung in front of the building that read:  Immigrants Welcome. This despite Spain's own economic issues. Got back to the apartment area around 7:30 and decided to repeat the night before. We got to observe the passeo. Couples come out to just walk the area before settling down for tapas. Pretty cool.  Went to our deli and got some iberico ham (amazing - more later).  Worked till 10 trying to get photo and blog issues resolved.  I think (with Beck's help) I got it (think Mel Brooks High Anxiety).  There was Flamenco and music on the Plaza last night (till 3:00).  We need to get in shape and join the fun.

Having difficulty with the photos. Now it is difficult to caption them.  We had this problem in Ecuador.  We will get it figured out.  For now, I will describe them.  The first five are views from our deck.  Next is the walkway to the Prado and along the Botanical Gardens. Next, photos of some Spanish architecture.  The last three are of City Hall.

  

View from our deck

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