This morning we stood in line for over an hour to enter the Royal Palace. They were supposed to open at ten am but were late by 40 minutes ( I guess they do not care about the commoners). In any case, once we got in, we were totally taken away by the opulence and luxury of the monarchs over the centuries. Each room is more ornate than the previous one. The Chandeliers and the tapestry were two very striking things for me. We saw 24 rooms and they all have different chandeliers ( again all very elaborate). the king has a separate dressing room ( in addition to bedrooms, office, sitting, game etc etc). Dinning room can sit 100 people ( i counted :). It is a living palace, meaning the king and family lives here. I wonder how does one's perspective of life and needs shape up, growing up in the place like this. I came out with mixed feelings, there is lot of art there but it was all built on the blood and sweat of commoners and few privileged people enjoy it.
For lunch, Theresa's host mom ( Theresa stayed with her for one semester 12 years ago) came to pick us up. Immediately , i was overwhelmed by her warmth and openness. With a huge smile and openness, she took us to her home. There her husband ( a mathematics professor) was waiting and what a home it is. It is personal museum, with things collected over generations and rivals any of the palace collection (everything was used and had emotional value). We had a wonderful time , with his broken English and our little Spanish, we were able to laugh, eat and feel very comfortable.
They fed us a most delicious lunch we had in this trip ( her brother's restaurant) . We tried to pay and he protested, " No question, no way.." It is heart warming to see that they remember Theresa after all these years and are so warm and welcoming.
After such a big lunch, we decided to walk it off. The walk was beautiful, through the tree lined boulevard with monuments and fountains scattered all over.
It is 9:30 pm, the plaza below is full of hussle bustle, dinner and performers. This will go on till mid night and more. I do not understand how Spanish people do this and where is the poverty?
Theresa's room and her bed from 12 years ago. It is a very cute place to live for a young person
Laundry hanging on the terrace. The Terrace had a shower, a kitchen and a garden with figs and other fruits growing.
Few of their silverware
Maria and her brothers
Jagdish, Mahinder and Jaun
Water fountain on the way
Another monument and a palace..
Jagdish trying out E Bicylle
How does he do it? It is a real person, we checked it out
Protestors at Plaza De Sol
10 pm at Plaza Mayor ( from our Balcony)
Full moon rising...
Hanging out with friends in the balcony overlooking the Plaza Mayor, taking pictures of full moon, listening to the music down in the plaza, smelling delicious food down there and chatting with Anupam...I feel very grateful to be able to have all of this... Beuno Notches
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