10/4/15: More Art

Tried a new approach today. We are having trouble navigating the streets (I know I am complaining again).  So we decided on what we wanted to do. We each looked at google maps and plotted a course to that site. Of, course, we still got lost going  to the first one.  This was the Museo de Bella Artes. This is a large collection of 17th century Spanish Art. There are many works by the famous Spanish artist Murillo. It is, also, large, in that, these were some of the biggest paintings  I have ever seen in one place. The ceilings were very high. These paintings went to the top of the ceilings. Almost all had religious themes.

As luck would have it, there was a large art show going on on the outside. There were some 30 or more painters (and some sculpturers) displaying work. It was very interesting to see different techniques and themes. We spent a while admiring the work.

We then set out to find a restaurant recommended to us by our landlord.  It was not more than 6-7 blocks away. We managed to get lost again before finding it. It was full. One thing good about getting lost is that you see parts of the city life you would ordinarily not see. So long as it is not something you are not supposed to see.  We had a nice lunch sitting outside (at another place) and watching the Sunday goings on. We decided to cut or losses and head back to the apartment. We have left over paella from last night. Oh, the Rio Grande restaurant was amazing. We had a table on the water. First class service, beautiful weather and a very relaxing evening. Tomorrow, we go to Donana National Park. We have an early departure, which will be a shock to the system. We just adjusted to Spanish time.

Some reflections. In Madrid the Spanish spoken was formal, with pronunciation and grammar what you would expect (from many unsuccessful years of trying to learn Spanish).  Here, you can detect some French and Italian. There, also, seems to be a lot of drama, especially among the men.  Looking forward to the language in Barcelona.

We took our garbage out yesterday. On the street there are large, unassuming containers separated into various sorts of garbage recycling, etc, for the residents of the many apartments in the specific area. You see this all over town. These are not dumpsters, but some type of container that keeps of odor non-existent. Very well done. Also, on that subject, the public health and sanitation standards here, as we have seen in other countries, is far better than the US. I have not encountered an unclean
barthroom in any public facility we have visited. This has not been the case in the US for a long time.

Hope to have some photos coming.