Start to the Eurotrip: Madrid!

After spending so much time traveling in Spanish colonies, it made perfect sense to kick off my Europe trip in Madrid. As the capital and largest city in Spain, Madrid is as known for its tapas and nightlife as it is its well-preserved historic architecture and vast collection of art museums. Despite the 24 hours of travel required to get there from Lima, I was ready to hit the ground running and also grateful for a country where you could drink the water, put TP in the toilet and trust that drivers would follow the rules of the road. It's amazing how much we take these little comforts for granted...

The afternoon of my arrival, I headed straight to the famous Prado Museum during free entry time to check out timeless works by El Greco, Goya and other artists from the 12th to 20th century.

Not the most famous but two of my favorite paintings, with vastly different styles, before security told me to stop taking photos... I didn't see any signs against it though I was at least concientious enough to turn off the flash so as not to damage anything...

I also had the opportunity to visit the Reina Sofia art museum which houses mostly modern works from artists such as Picasso and Salvador Dali. 

Above, a work from Picasso and below, a random painting I liked. Some of the other stuff in the museum was just weird but then again I can barely draw so what do I know...

Below, a trippy view from the Reina Sofia.

The Caixa Forum was another interesting museum, particularly the appearance of the building as it looks likes it's hovering above the street!

Behind the museums, is Madrid's equivelant of of New York's Central Park, called Parque Buen Retiro, which spans over a huge area and contains thick forested areas, grassy knoles, enormous fountains, playgrounds, workout areas and countless monuments and fountains. I spent time here almost every day reading and making the most of their pull-up bars...

The rose garden and an empty bench at Parque Buen Retiro.

I can appreciate a good painting and I really loved geeking out for hours on end but there's much more to the Madrid than stuffy museums and art snobs... More to follow on food and other less intellectual topics