Madrid

"Hala Madrid y Nadis Ma," Commemorative song for Real Madrid's 10th European Cup:

" am struggle! I am beauty!

The cry 1 learned

Madrid! Madrid! Madrid !

And nothing more! And nothing more!

Hala Madrid!

We take the super fast train to Madrid. Javier, our guide, has not lost one person. Our group watches the scenery and shares snacks as we get to know each other. We have a great group!! Everyone is helpful, and of course, they treat my 94 year old mom like Queen Elizabeth. She loves it!!

On to the Prado, where we have a great guide who gives us all the humorous dirt on some of the painters. We see “The Three Graces” by Peter Paul Reubens. One of the "graces" in the painting is his second wife, Helena Fourment Reubens, who was 37 years younger than Reubens. Some things never change.

The Garden of Earthly Delights by Heironymous Bosch depicts hell, the Garden of Eden, human love, and depravity. Yikes! It is not something I would want in my living room, as it would keep me up at night. Initially I thought this was a work of modern art, but the artist painted this piece in the 1500s.

Who can't love Saturn devouring his son? If you have ever had a two year old who is having a full blown tantrum in the middle of the grocery store, you can certainly relate to Saturn. Goya also depicts life in the court as well as cruelty on the battlefield in 18th century Spain. The man had a deep soul.

Unfortunately, my mom has developed a bad case of plantar fasciitis (a new ailment for her) and she can barely walk. Luckily, I have brought all my physical therapy supplies (which I have used for previous fellow travelers on Rick Steves trips. And yes, I was a girl scout). She suggests we just leave her in Madrid as she doesn't want to bother anyone. Not gonna happen! Javier comes up with the brilliant idea that we buy a wheelchair. Javier has saved our jamon serrano!!

In the afternoon, I walk to the Reina Sofia Museum to see the famous painting "Guernica," by Pablo Picasso. I see it as an anti-war painting. When I was a teenager, Guernica was on exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, where it was displayed from 1939 to 1981. I remember my maaternal grandmother taking me to see it, and I have a vivid memory of the horse writhing in pain and the mother who is screaming because she has lost her child. I saw it during the time of the Vietnam war, and still see it as a timeless representation of the brutality of war.

Upon returning from my wandering through parts of the city, I discover that there is a gelato cafe right across from our hotel. Guess what Mom and I have for dinner?

Our guide from the Prado meets us at the Royal Palace and explains its history. The palace walls are lined with sumptuous wallpaper and many royal portraits. One of the most respected kings of Spain was Phillip V, and one of the least respected was Charles IV. As Goya was not a big fan of Charles IV, his portrait of the king and royal family is satirical and not very flattering. There are so many subtle ways to make your opinions known when you are a painter for the court.

Our lunch after the tour is at a restaurant that Javier recommends. Their specialty is deep fried calamari. What's not to like about anything that is breaded and deep fried? Mom goes back to the hotel to rest, and I wander up the hill past the hotel and look in shop windows and at crafts by local artisans. I order a smoothie and just sit, doing nothing, simply enjoying being in Madrid and experiencing its art, history, gardens, and different culture. I am on vacation!

On to Segovia:

"Segovia" by Bernedita Rosinha Pinto, poet:

And as I watch the Cathedral

The Alcazar, the Roman Aqueduct

My eyes until sunset gazed

All that Seqovia could exhibit

And with a mind full of memories

I moved away to carry home

The pride I felt when I saw Segovia

And the simplicity it weaves around it.

Our group takes a side trip to Segovia to see the Roman aqueduct. My mom is very happy to eat ice cream while I walk around Segovia. Notice she is wearing a sweater and jacket in 80 degree weather. Who does that?

We then proceed to lunch and wait outside to be seated. We all order a cool summer drink, tinto de verano. The specialty of the house and region is ROAST SUCKLING PIG. Apparently, you know that a suckling pig is cooked perfectly when you can cut your little pork chop down its spine using only a plate. I am naming my mom's suckling pig Wilbur.

We watch Grace cut up the pig's crispy skin using only a plate. Javier then demonstrates that after carving the pig, you drop the plate on the floor in celebration. Fewer dishes to clean?

Here is Jim asking himself, How am I going to eat this?