Today

Today we went and visited the royal palace in Madrid. It is the 'official' residence of the royal family and they continue to use it for royal, formal functions but they don't actually live there. With over 2800 rooms and 35,000 sq meters apparently King Juan Carlos did not like having his coffee get cold while the servants delivered it all the way from the royal kitchen to his room so he decided he needed a smaller palace so apparently he and Queen Sophia live in one 13 km outside of Madrid (that would probably be a 90 minute drive in Spanish traffic jam terms! Lol!). The architecture and decor was amazing. The influence of the catholic church is everywhere you look. The frescoes in the ceilings huge and beautiful and mostly commissioned by Italian artists. The palace has always been open to the public. Centuries ago the public would constantly flow through the palace and see the king and queen going about their business of the day ... Working at their desks, sitting for a meal, even dressing and preparing for cermonies. Talk about an open door policy! I am guessing this is anothe reason that king Juan Carlos has retreated to a smaller palace to live in.

In the afternoon we went to another palace which was started by king Phillip 3rd in the 15th century. It was their fall palace since the royal family changed residences based on the season. It would take them 1 to 2 weeks to move from place to place. Mainly because it meant moving 3000 people! No! That is not a spelling mistake or typo! 3000 people! When they talked about moving the court they moved the whole damn court! This palace was much simpler. Still huge and lovely but plainer. It was divided into 3 parts. The royal side where the royal family resided. The center was this most amazing basillica. The bed chambers of the king and queen had doors that opened into the basillica so they could listen to the services each day. The basillica was sooo beautiful! Apparently they have weddings there each Sat afternoon. The cost for the facility is $2000 euros and you have to be very lucky to boot! They only open the books for booking the weddings once per year. On January 24th. So you must line up and hope you get lucky enough to book your day! Directly underneath the chapel, was a series of tombs for the royal family. Centuries of royalty are entombed there. The main tomb houses the king and any queen they begat an heir with. Interestingly enough, there is not enough room left in the tomb to bury both king Juan Carlos and his wife. Apparently he has a tough decision to make! The third part of this palace was the monastery. It looked to same from the outside but is was quite simple and plain on the inside. It still houses 30 monks but that is a minimal number compared to what it used to house when it was built.

From this palace we went to the valley of the fallen. This is the burial place of the dictator Franco. He was a 20th century dictator that the tour guide, Mita, likened to Hitler. He may have even been related? It was obvious the Spanish people had little to like about this man. Anyway, it is the site of yet another bascillica. This one is gigantic and unique nevuse it was carved right into a granite mountain side so essentially it is a large cave. Very beautiful. And on the top of the mountain, directly over the main alter in the cave is a large stone cross that can be seen for miles and miles. It seemed like they were trying to buy their way into heaven?

So that was my day! Oh wait, we also went to the Prada museum tonight but I was too tired and hungry to really concentrate. Then we took the kids to the main square in downtown Madrid and said enjoy! Shop, eat and meet back here at 10 pm.

If anyone is reading this from facebook and leaving comments, I van't read those comments until I get home. If you are reading and commenting directly in the blog, those are emailed to me. So, Jen, it is a 6 hour time difference. You did not wake me. I doubt a bomb could have woke me last night! And Lorne ... Sweetheart ... Please stop beating my dog! Lol! And you are right, I will not let you sit on our step and shoot people who trespass so you better come up with a new retirement plan! :-)

Must sleep now. Wake up call is 6:45. Busy day tomorrow!

Bye! Ciao! Adios! Buenas noches!
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