My friends and I visited a Sunday flea market. Many stands sold antiques filled with history from numerous generations. I bought two old coins.
There were also superbly cheap knick-knacks like bracelets and necklaces and souvenirs, which was paradise to such a shopping-enthusiast as I.
There were also superbly cheap knick-knacks like bracelets and necklaces and souvenirs, which was paradise to such a shopping-enthusiast as I.
My friends’ itinerary saved the best for last. El Palacio Real multiplied my standards for the characteristic “gorgeous.”
The palace was elaborate and intricate, with grandiose detail and value unlike anything I've ever seen. In the velvet and gold and jeweled rooms, I suddenly felt plain and dirty in my ann Taylor attire and 1 euro bisutería. Again, I felt like I had entered a story-book like I had in Toledo. I breathed in and walked on same air and floor that princesses and queens breathed and walked.
There were halls with billowing curtains. A room bore walls entirely covered in intricate porcelain and another room dressed in hand-made tapestries. The dining hall was larger, more sparkling and elegant than any dining hall I had ever imagined. Royal blue velvet walled one room.
Three hundred year old Violins and cellos in amazingly pristine condition lay retired in glass display boxes.
Only the halls and lobby allowed photography. Here is a hall that reminded me of the glassy floors that Anna slipped and slid over in Frozen.
There were halls with billowing curtains. A room bore walls entirely covered in intricate porcelain and another room dressed in hand-made tapestries. The dining hall was larger, more sparkling and elegant than any dining hall I had ever imagined. Royal blue velvet walled one room.
Three hundred year old Violins and cellos in amazingly pristine condition lay retired in glass display boxes.
Only the halls and lobby allowed photography. Here is a hall that reminded me of the glassy floors that Anna slipped and slid over in Frozen.
This is my trying to imitate a princess gazing into the majestic court yard.
The palace was so enormous I felt like the path through rooms would never end.
The palace was so enormous I felt like the path through rooms would never end.
After missing our train and taking an evening train, I felt ambivalent about leaving Madrid. I wanted to stay and see the rest of the palace and museums, but at the same time I wanted to preserve the splendor of the newness of knowing that the settings of stories are real.
The train home passed by expansive sunflower fields. The sun started setting towards 9 pm and tinted the ranges gold.
The train home passed by expansive sunflower fields. The sun started setting towards 9 pm and tinted the ranges gold.
There is so much in Spain for that I wish to taste and see and hear and feel and think. I would stay here longer if I could, but I can't. Leaving here so soon is beautiful, too. the newness of knowing that the settings of stories are real will stay new forever.