Yesterday, I went to the Prado-the Art Museum in Madrid-I figured I would check out the dark art that Spanish Aritists did, and what we we're told about in the tour. There we're some paintings of Spanish Rulers and their families, but A LOT of paintings of Jesus, the Virgin Mary, etc. I have seen multiple pictures of the Last Supper, and I Think I Saw The Virgin Mary and Child from every single angle. After about an hour, I was sort of burnt out, and was crying for the exit.
I then next door to the Botanical Garden-which had a 3 Euro entrance fee. I was debating weather to pay it or not, but I figured it would be a nice respite from the hot sun. In line behind me we're 6 late teens/20ish guys and girls who wanted to go the garden, but didn't have any Euros. They saw I had US dollars in my wallet, so they offered to give me US dollars if i would pay for their admission. We talked about where we we're from-they said they we're from Michigan. When we all got to the ticket booth, they showed their student ID to the woman in the booth (there was a discount for students). One of the girl's student ID's said Hope College. Where have I seen Hope College before? Way back in Scotland, at the hostels on the Skye trip, the kids I met and played trivia with we're from Hope College.
Anyway, the garden was great to wander around, and take a nap on a bench under some shade as well. I was able to sit and read my book in peace.
Later on, I went back to the hostel to straighen up my bed, and then went back to the Plaza Mayor, where I lot of happenings are going on, I wandered off, saw a beautiful monument that was a gift from Egypt to Spain because of help Spain had given rescuing some major artifacts in the 60's I think (I learned this from a student from the US who I was talking to, but not Hope College). I got majorly lost, but was able to take the long walk back to the hotel, past partying Spaniards enjoying drinks and tapas.
