A little bit of culture for our souls

Met Hans and Judy for breakfast at 7:30. Finally somebody's awake! Bobbie was not amused by my early hours. We headed out at 9:00 and walked the 15 blocks to the start of the city bus tour. Blue skies, 70 and Madrid is simply beautiful. From the open air upper deck we had the whole bus to ourselves as we wandered through both the old city center and the modern areas. We took notes and got off at noon to wander the Puerto del Sol area for lunch.

By now it seemed as if all of the people of Madrid had decided to tour the city. The streets were mobbed.

As usual we are early with Europeans eating much later on the day...there are benefits...no lines and quick service. An hour later we are in the Prado Museum for three hours of viewing the masters-Goya, van Dyke, Villamonte, Ruben, el Greco! Over 1000 masterpieces on display on three floors. Waking and standing on marble floors for that long takes its toll! We all had our favorites and remarked that those art appreciation classes in college sure came in handy. Then it was off to the Temple of Debod and some great views of the city and royal palaces.

A bus ride back to the Carlos III Arch and the long walk back to the hotel (with a stop at the grocery) found us picnicing in our room before bed.