Madrid

"One of the funniest street performers I've ever seen - a fat spiderman in Madrid's Plaza Mayor"





Hola. For the four day "puente" last weekend I went to Madrid with my friend Celia. The weather typically fall-like. Reminded me much of New England. The light was white, air crispy. I was able to visit both big museums there. The Reina Sofia, which contains more modern works, and has an addition by Jean Nouvel, was my favorite, mostly because of a wonderful contemporary photography exhibition. Gursky and others, whom I am growing to love.


The second museum, the Prado, contains mostly paintings of the old school hoighty toighty type, big masterpieces by tons of famous people. The Prado was free for the week, as it was opening weekend for a brand new addition by Rafael Moneo. Fairly quiet, and simple, but with a few wonderful details, such as this large door textured like a tree trunk, and a fun light well connecting all three levels.

Both museums tend to hurt my cabeza after an hour or two. Too much to see, very dense. I think I tend to prefer smaller exhibition spaces. Perhaps if I lived in Madrid I would be able to enjoy such places little by little.

I also was treated by real paella on Sunday when we went to Celia's parents house for lunch.



Madrid is lovely city. People keep asking me "Which one do you like more, BCN or Madrid?" Oy vey, who are these people? It has forced me to come up with the following thought, which I don't know is true or not as my Madrid experience is so limited. Barcelona is a bit more gritty, young, progressive. Madrid is a bit more wholesome, family-like, classical. There is certainly a different feel about Madrid, but I haven't yet been able to put my finger on it.

two dinners

Here you will see two dinners.

The former took place in the mellow, clean, natural city of Eugene. This was my official going away event. Most everyone biked here. The picture is in black and white. The people speak primarily English. It is warm, we are sitting outside on a patio. These are the people I spent the summer of 07 with.


The latter is a dinner here in my flat in Barcelona. There are street trees here, and a few parks. This particular meal lasted from ~10:30pm to ~3:30 am. The pictures is in color. Most of the people speak primarily brazilian, but are speaking spanish on this night. We are inside, it is warm, and there are no direct views to the outside world. Some of these people are my roommates, some will become friends, and some are people I'll never see again.

Thaz all. I'm going to Madrid today.