Today was planned.....plans changed fast as we
missed our stop on the Hop On ....then had to back track......then I got a bit
confused by signs, and didn't listen to your mother, and we ended up at the
wrong entrance for the Cathedral. While trying to figure our time frame, I
heard drums in the background and out came the guards marching from the inside
of the Palace. We ran to the fence thinking it might be the Changing but then
remembered only on the fist Wednesday....and about that time were approached
from the rear by policemen telling us to move off the square....I finally asked
one in my "fluent" Spanish...what was going on?..... Importance,
etc...and he said "the King"....well we waited 90 minutes getting
various interpretations of what was going on....one of the policemen, and they
are all so helpful and good looking as we are sure it is a very good job to
have, started talking to Audy.....apparently the King was meeting with his
congress or key staff or what ever .....finally the flag over the Palace went up
and that meant he was there...apparently came in either by another
entrance or by helicopter as we saw one come by.....but it was fun to
"almost see the King"....we waited and had a number of interesting
conversations with others, including one couple from Milwaukee who's daughter
is in Seville for a semester of Spanish....her major at the Univ of Wisconsin.
A fun time waiting to see Royalty.
The, we went into
the Cathedral and as the others we have seen......outstanding to see and
experience, and huge, as they all are. Should be a must do in Madrid..and the
tour books do not stress it. This Cathedral with huge high columns does not
have the unbelievable detail of Sagrada Familia in Barcelona but makes up for
it in pure grandeur and size. A huge newer organ is gorgeous and wish we could
have heard it being played. Both Audy and I think that Madrid should be an
option for Viking...to take the high speed train and then have a 3 or 4 hour
guided tour and then back on the train and back to the boat. It would be a 12
hour day but would be worth it. Or, make Madrid an add on as we are going to do
Iceland. Madrid it too good to miss being this close.
Another difference in Madrid are the statues at almost every corner....probably
more than the other cities I spoke about....there are so many that they kind of
become part of the landscape it seems. Another thing about Madrid more so
than the other cities....the buildings are all illuminated at night. My photos
will illustrate this.
Well...off to The Prado Museum now.....we had a brief rain this am so came back
to the hotel then a great lunch at Starbucks next door.....more to come...
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