Day 3 Madrid with Anna and Eben

The Viber free text and call App kept us in touch. We decided to meet in front of the Prado at noon. The Metro works so well here, yet another indication of how advanced Europe is compared to the US. Indulge me; I am a Europhile who is thoroughly happy with my fabulous life but stills feels line I was born on the wrong continent . 

I digress: shower fixtures that keep the temperature setting from one time to the next, all toilets equipped with 2 flush settings, lights that go on and off depending upon physical entry. Hotel rooms that activate electricity by putting key card in slot.  

Perfect timing. So delighted to see the happy couple.  We strayed to a tapas place, ate sheep's cheese with rosemary, Iberian ham and cheese and then went to El Prado. 

Comment: restorations of color, especially the Titians are excellent. Anna and I remarked on the representations of women. All the nudes that show up while the men are fully clothed. Great feminist material! One particular painting depicted a young boy conflicted about whether to choose virtue or sin, each represented by a woman.  Breast milk used to put out the fires of hell. Women held on a pedestal yet blamed for the evils and temptations of the world.

After the Prado, Eben and Anna led us to some winding streets to another tapas place where we enjoyed some wines, arugula salad with Olive oil that tastes so fresh and fried eggplant with honey. 

Must try to make that. 

We departed, and promptly at 6.30 we fell asleep. Now it's midnight and I'm awake. And so goes the jet lag. It's all fine. Tomorrow takes us to Pamplona by train.