Madrid: Monday

Linda headed off to work early in the morning, but I woke up around 8 and took my time preparing for the day. I first headed to the Museo de la Reina Sofia, a contemporary art museum that holds Picasso's famous Guernica, many of Salvador Dali's paintings, and an assortment of Spanish and other European Cubist and Surrealist paintings. Not knowing where I was going (as the museum was vast and had many entry points for different rooms), I decided to follow a small group of people downstairs, only to hear a security woman yelling at me in Spanish and telling me that I was entering a secured access. Surprised by her forceful accusations, I apologized in my bumbling attempt at Spanish, and she told me (or what I understood) to go to the information desk if I had any questions (as if that would help, considering just about no one speaks English here). I finally figured out the system and managed to see some incredible 20th century paintings by Picasso, Dali, Picabia, Vazquez Diaz, Velasco, Sorolla, Miro, and Barradas, to name a few.
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I had originally planned to take both an art and city walking tour, but the weather completely drenched any desire to wander for hours outside with a bunch of tourists with bulky umbrellas and flashing cameras. Instead, I wandered past the Prado to a free museum called the Caixa Forum, where I saw the works of Miguel Barcelo. I have to say that this was my favorite museum visit by far - the artist used natural elements to make amazing contemporary portraits and still-lifes. The exhibit contained sculptures, watercolors, and mixed media pieces that were stunning and intricate. He did most of the work on his hands and knees, and his mixed media works were thick with paint and materials of various textures and shapes. It is amazing how his abstract view of natural objects appeared so real at the same time.
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After having seen many paintings, I needed a change of pace and decided to visit the Catedral de la Almudena. Its stained-glass windows were unique in that they were abstract, almost as if they had incorporated inspirations from Dali and Picasso into the creation of the large church. The inside had the standard organ as well as a large altar adorned with gold and silver and pictures of the Madonna and baby Jesus.
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I left the cathedral to find someplace warm and energizing, so I headed to La Mallorquina, a bustling little bakery with my first taste of Spanish coffee. Cafe con leche: 1.20 euro. Can't beat that anywhere! I first bought some yummy-looking pastries (a heart cookie with chocolate and a circular pastry with sliced almonds) which they wrapped in their traditional pink paper and string. Feeling confident that I was able to order pastries with relative ease, I went to the standing bar to order my coffee. The guy behind the counter was a little curt, but I successfully ordered a coffee with milk, which he heated and poured in front of me. I added the sugar and took a sip - absolute heaven. I have never tasted coffee so rich and delicious but so simple and ordinary. Linda had recommended this place the night before while we were on our stroll, and I am very grateful that she did. Albeit my half-frozen right foot, this was the perfect pick-me-up for my dampened spirit.