The last 24 hours have been a whirlwind. Last night I went on a short bus tour of Madrid which was great because it gave me a better sense of the central area. Plus I got to see some places I had no intention on seeking out. Then it was a visit to the Torres Bermejas - a flamenco dinner show. I lucked out and was seated with two couples, one from Australia and one from Delaware. We were all happy to be able to speak in English all night.

The flamenco show was fabulous - there were 4 lady flamenco dancers and one dude. They never danced together (maybe later in the show?) but it was quite a sight. There was an older lady dancer who was way saucy and put her castanets in her cleavage for a bit! Can’t wait to be able to post some of the photos when I return.

Today was the Reina Sofia, which houses Picasso’s “Guernica”. Seeing it was truly the pinnacle of all my art museum experiences. It was just absolutely stunning.

After the Reina Sofia (I saw a lot more there but am trying not to get bogged on the details), I headed to the Mercado San Miguel - a recently renovated upscale food market - think the Ferry Building in SF and that’s the vibe. Total love there and I was able to buy the rest of what I wanted there. Except olives to go…they only had plastic containers, not sturdy enough for a flight home.

And now I get to organize all this stuff so I can get out of here tomorrow. Making a detour in Chicago to see the reinstalled Chagall stained glass windows at the Art Institute. I’ll be back in SD on Saturday.

I’m on the home stretch and I’m feeling it. This morning I headed to “El Paseo del Arte” for some intense art viewing. I started at the Thyssen, one of Madrid’s trio of grand art museums. I knew I was on the verge of art burnout so I spent more time in the modern galleries where I especially enjoyed a Degas and a Lichtenstein.

Then it was off to The Prado. I used my guidebook’s “see everything in 2 hrs” recommendations which really made for a better experience. I could have stared at Velazquez’ “Las Meninas” forever. It completed one of my art full circles since I saw Picasso’s “Las Meninas” in Barcelona.

After some helado, I high tailed it out for some down time. Tonight, I am doing an evening walking tour and a Flamenco show. And tomorrow the Reina Sofia to see Guernica.

A pretty non-eventful day. Woke up too late to hit the mercats so I went with it and just lazed around before heading to the train station. Not a bad thing. So then the (mercifully) 3 hour ride to Madrid on the high speed train called AVE. The speed of train is posted and I saw it reach as high as 300 km/hr. The train to Madrid was pretty plush. Yes I am a train snob and I sprung for the highest class available (Club) but it was worth it. They served cava from the get go and your choice for lunch was veal or salmon. Not kidding around! My favorite part of meals here is the olive oil and red wine vinegar that you use for bread, salad dressing and extra seasoning. I so need to bring some home. During the train ride, they play a movie and for kicks I watched it even though it was dubbed in Spanish. I don’t think I would have suffered through “The A-Team” in English but in Spanish it was kinda fun.

So I am staying close to the airport because it’s the only Hilton here. This could be a bad idea but supposedly there is a shuttle downtown, wherever that is. I’m sure it will be fine. More adventures tomorrow.

Things here are much more mellow on Sundays. A lot of shops are closed - even the markets. That kinda makes me have to rearrange my day tomorrow but that is okay.

I did get to go to Park Guell today. Another stop in the Gaudi tour - but this one more my speed - the art nouveau design has instant appeal to me. And the funniest thing happened while I was there. A police officer arrived and all of the sudden every vendor (selling jewelry, fans, what not) picked up their stuff and split. Apparently they aren’t supposed to be there. Haha.

The other fun thing I did was go to the Futbol Club Barcelona stadium. There’s like a HUGE store there and even I couldn’t resist getting one of the cool knit scarves.

Today is also election day. The protesters are still camped out in Placa Catalunya but nothing crazy going on there. Lots of interesting people and all the homemade signs and posters were pretty cool to read. Wonder if they will be gone tomorrow.

I’m leaving for Madrid tomorrow on the AVE - the high speed train from here to Madrid Atocha. Apparently Atocha is a marvel on its own so that will be cool to be where I arrive.

I think that’s all I can think of to write. I will check back in tomorrow from Madrid.

Okay I have no idea what day it is right now which means I am in hyper vacation mode. Since I last wrote, I have been to the Museu Picasso and the Fundacio Miro and have also toured Barcelona extensively via the Bus Turistic. So many things to do here and I have really just scratched the surface.

Tomorrow there shall be more Modernista architecture and some shopping to be had.

So yesterday was a long day. A 6 hour train ride from Bilbao to Barcelona. More of the amazing country side through the area called La Rioja. Yes where all the grapes for Rioja are grown. And then through the south Pyrenees where there are canyons much like our Grand Canyon.

When I arrived in Barcelona I was so happy to get to my hotel, a Hilton right on the Mediterranean. I was also happy that the hotel was full of Brits, here for a conference. I never thought I’d be stoked to hear a bunch of people speaking English but I was.

After a lot of gin at the hotel bar, I got in a great night’s sleep and made the executive decision to not drag myself onto a bus to be a tourist. Instead I had some cafe con leche and headed across the street to the mall. Where I promptly ordered and drank a litre of Sangria Cava. Awesome.

I’m planning to head to the Museo Picasso in a bit. A good way to round out my day. Tomorrow I will get on the tourist bus to see all this Gaudi madness and whatever else.