I stayed in a Youth Hostel (the "Mad Hostel") for the first time in Spain and it was a great place to meet other travellers and speak a little English (which I hadn't for almost a week!). The city has an amazing energy to it and never seems to go to sleep. I wandered the streets and sampled cervezas and tapas from many little bars and restaurants... and of course helado (ice cream) too!
Saturday was the Noche en Blanco (White Night) Festival where the city centre closed off to traffic and people partied in the street all night long! Many of the art galleries, plazas and theatres in the city had free art/entertainment and the streets were packed until early in the morning... I went to bed early though and was in bed by 4 am!
On Sunday I sampled some Spanish art in Museo Reina Sofia and Museo del Prado, featuring Picasso, Dali, Goya and many celebrated Spanish artists.
And then in the evening I went to the Plaza de Toros to watch some bullfighting.
Again I wasn't sure what to expect and I have to say that I was quite shocked by the entire spectacle. There might be a fine line between a culturally significant art form and brutal animal cruelty but when I saw the first (of 6) bull stabbed, gored and finally slaughtered I can honestly say that I felt sick to my stomach. But a little later on a much more skilled matador fought with a bull for many minutes so skillfully that he appeared to "dance" with the bull.
The bull was bleeding quite badly after it had been fighting the matador for about 20 minutes.
In the end, horses came in and dragged the "honorable" (aka dead) bull out of the ring.
And when the time came to kill the bull, the more experienced matador did it with precision and skill that had the crowd on its feet applauding his efforts. In all it was an incredible experience that I don't think I will ever do again.
So after 3 incredible days in Madrid I am now off to the Mediterranean coast of Spain and Barcelona!
2 comments:
Excellent pictures Brad, looks very dramtic with the bulls and the horses all dressed up taking the bull away. I can only imagine what you must have been thinking. We are so happy you are keeping your blog up it is great to see you and you don't seem so far away.
Love Mom
Hi Uncle Brad this is Roberto talking. I am just wondering if you have got my first comment yet. If you did then you're probably just making it now?
I can't believe that you have been walking and jogging and maybe running I'm not quite sure how much you are taking the train maybe a little rock climbing anyways you have been walking very far. You're doing great.
Keep in touch love you nephew Roberto
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