After my great b-day
celebration we went to bed and rose 5 hrs later and took a train to Madrid (
and the 6 of us slept on train )
We arrived and stored
luggage at hotel and set out for the Prado museum for a few hrs .
On the way stopped
for rubbed tomato bread with salt and olive oil and cafe con leche for
breakfast .
The Prado was
really impressive and the collection of art it holds very very impressive !
Was neat to be with
four people (including our nieces) who are such art connoisseurs. They truly
share a passion and were really cool to watch (especially our youngest niece)
express herself and her feelings toward what she saw that day.
We enjoyed the museum
experience very much too but have preferred the Gardens... Palaces... Castles..
Parks .was great to experience this with my brother and his family as if we had
been there by ourselves probably would not have visited any art museums. It's
fun to gain new experiences and be introduced to the passions of others.
After that found a
really funky place for lunch (was one of my faves) and I had Brie and caramelized
onions on olive bread... Curry chicken and rice ... One mini mini burger and
brownie and ice-cream. And Fanta limone
Then we all walked
around the botanical gardens and brother and I had a great talk about our lives
and our shared childhoods . Was so good to be with him .
Then long walk back
to hotel and then a rest for an hr and then into dinner and a little shopping
in Madrid . Dinner was also great and had a bunch of grilled veggies with corse
salt and salads and potatoes . Hubby had tuna carpaccio and guacamole. We have
eaten very well in Spain ... Not like in Italy or Greece but some good stuff for
sure and the Italian food was even better then in Italy in two cases! I
forgot to mention the panacota we ate at our pizza place was superb!
We left the resto and
bid our goodbyes at the door as did not know if we would see each other the
next morning before flights.
For some reason my
husband ordered us the lovers package room at the hotel as that was all that
was left on Madrid and we had free bottle of champagne and Lindt chocolate. We shared with my brother and sis in law.
But we enjoyed the
room with the beautiful terrace view that was really gorgeous. Was the perfect
last night actually ... Time with family ... Time as a couple... Sleeping in.
The next and last
morning we all did what we wanted. Bro and family slept in late ... Hubby slept
in but then got up and went for coffee and then visited the castle alone and I
went back to sleep in the comfy bed with the doors and windows wide open to the
beautiful view outside. I slept in until 11am and then showered and sat and
read on the terrace with the spectacular view of Madrid.
Madrid was great but
we definitely preferred the quaintness of Seville. We are always the same with
big cities... Good to see and experience but our cup of teas are the Seville’s
of
The world!
And I counted my
blessings for all the expected and the unexpected that this trip brought me. The
revelations about myself, the acceptance of myself, the intimate couple times
between us that have not been as easy over re last couple of years, and the
appreciation of getting to have such rich family and cultural experiences in
our lives
Blessed we are. As
bless us too for planning our lives out in such a way that lends itself to such
deep and enriching experiences
Off to London layover
and back to our bebes!!
(Back home now and
totally smooth return. Had Monday off as was holiday and in evening had my mom
and soul keeper and her family for my family bay dinner. Was soooooo fun. and
only a few hrs so too short but felt so good to do this. Everyone spoiled me (especially
our kids!!!). We had so much fun opening gifts after soul keeper and gang
left. I was, making everyone light with the bay bag my mom have me with poo poo
trinkets :))) lol!
Beauty made me a
video as my card and bought me a sweater and treats and boys gave me lululmeon
workout stuff!!! Fun to have older kids!!! Was nice to be home. Totally in a
daze with time difference and today giving myself a day with no meetings to get
back on track home and work wise (love love this part of working for myself that
I can take a day and do this after a vacation)
Last few pics from trip I wanted to include on blog:
