Assembling

Slowly our group starts to gather.  By Sunday night, Bob, Manny, Israel, and I were in Madrid. 

Monday morning, Israel decided he needed a lighter belt for the trip and a fleece.  Well, there is no fleece to be had in Madrid as the weather turns to summer, so we searched four stores until he found a belt.  Then drama to get the belt through his belt loops.  Needed several assistants to get him dressed. (You can see the belt in the picture below.  Sexy.)

We were joined by Hector (from NJ) and Manny GL on Monday morning and headed off to culture ourselves with a visit to the Museo de Arte Reina Sofía, which we decided was more accessible than the Prado.  We focused on the modern art Picasso, Dalí, Miró, Gris, and others and worked our way to the display of “Guernica”.  The exhibits leading up to and following “Guernica” show the effects of the Spanish Civil War on Spanish art and culture: themes of death and destruction.

“Guernica” itself is impressive, a huge painting in blacks, grays, and whites that  elicits the horrors of the the bombing of the town of Guernica by Nazi Germany and Italy at the request of Spanish Nationalists, at which there were many civilians casualties (many women and children).

We weren’t allowed to take pictures.  The painting is as moving as I’d been told.

Then, lunch negotiations took us to Bob’s suggestion for “gambas al ajillo” at “La Casa del Abuelo” ® (“How do you even trademark that phrase?!”). 

Emilio was going to nap then this text: “Fuck it, I’m coming.”  Henry Bell joined us as well on an outside table on a tiny triangle-shaped patio near the Puerta del Sol.  Food was as good as promised, as were the cañas of beer. Much laughter as we kept track of the Miami group.  

Also, a more sober reminder that we would be keeping Yoyo in our prayers along the Way.

We were sitting there as news of Lourdes girls kicking track ass from Miami came in and the Miami travelers gathered at the airport. Cil was dropping selfies from Toronto.

There was also the decision to try for a Spanish/paella restaurant that night instead of Brazilian food.

Off to La Baraca for paella, with Joey and David meeting us there.

Kudos to Bob for insisting on the black rice paella as one of our choices.  Our loud voices also pissed off the women sitting right next to us.  And we discovered an unfortunately named club across the street.

Finally, a round of jerez Tío Pepe and port before our early start tomorrow.  Early morning tomorrow as we meet the Miami travelers and Ron at the airport.