Our groups first taste of Spanish culture came in la Plaza mayor, where numerous tapas restaurants were located. This was where we ate dinner that first night. As we ate, we watched the various street performers go about their business. From a 250 pound Spiderman to the headless sea captain to a man who swallowed passing children with bubbles, it was a very entertaining dinner.
Besides the various plazas and street protests (where we were repeatedly offered "tea"), we visited a few of the most famous museums in the world: La Reina Sofía (modern art) and el Museo del Prado (more classical works). Despite my lack of interest in almost all art, these were both surprisingly fun experiences for me. Many of the works I saw we had discussed in Spanish class at MBA, so it was very exciting to see the original works of "Las Meninas," "Guernica," and "La fragua de Vulcano." It didn't hurt that our guide for el Museo del Prado was one of the most knowledgeable and engaging guides I have ever toured with.
We also went to el Palacio Real in Madrid, the former seat of the Spanish crown. Most of our group was again extremely exhausted due to our leader, Josídalgo's infamous sense of time and distance-we learned that whenever he said "guys it's just one more mile" or "it's only 25 more minutes" that we were in it for the long haul. After about one Josídalgo mile (somewhere between two and four normal people miles) we arrived at the palace on empty stomachs and weary legs. I was however able to rally myself in hopes of practicing comprehension with our tour guide. I actually understood most of what she was saying. At one point, when I apparently looked dazed or distracted, she asked me several questions about the tour so far and then proceeded to ask me about Tennessee and the U.S. To my group's and my own surprise, and answered all her questions fluently and without pause, and I somehow managed to use the subjunctive.
No comments:
Post a Comment