Hello and Happy New Year. I had a surprise date with Madrid Espana and Lisboa Portugal in the month of January. What a wonderful way to start the new Year. We traveled to Madrid first, spent four days in the area called the Reiro, and then headed by night train to Lisbon, Portugal for three full days. Because of the off season, we were able to enjoy the cities more as the locals do.
The two most memorable things about
Madrid are El Retiro Park and the art museums. El Retiro Park which we walked through daily is 350 acres of lawns, trees, fountains, avenues and paths. The park is the center of the city even in winter. It is entirely surrounded by the present-day city. Couples walk hand in hand, families stroll, and runners traverse trails at all times of day. Madrid's avenue of art consists of
three major museums, Museo del Prado, Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia, and Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza. All were within walking distance from our apartment. Seeing art up close is amazing. The layers come to life, the colors vibrate, and the compositions inspire.
Madrid Inspirations in photos:
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| Buen Retiro Park |
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| Crystal Palace ~1887 |
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| Retiro Statue ~ Paseo de las Estatuas |
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| Madrid at night |
Then we were onto
Lisbon Portugal via the night train from Madrid to Lisbon. While we thought we'd be able to catch a night's sleep on the train, the train stops and starts periodically throughout and night. All in all the adventure was worth the few hours of sleep had. Lisbon is a city of gracious people, cobblestones, avenues and alleys, and hilly terrain. The food and the light of the city makes for a foodie's and photographer's paradise.
Lisbon Inspirations in photos:
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| Remains of Church after 1755 Earthquake |
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| Lisbon walk way |
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| Church Interrior |
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| Apartment plumbing |
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| View from Boutique Hotel |
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| Street graffiti |
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| Wall of Street Art |
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| Detail of Graffiti |
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| Rusted rose from cemetery tomb |
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| River Tagus |
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| Building tile |
Traveling abroad brought me home again. I am blessed with the abundance of opportunity our country provides. I have the time, the resources, the support of family and friends, and the space to grow art. Thoughts of becoming an expat dissolved as I realized the wealth I have in my own backyard. As Dorthy stated in the Wizard Of Oz, "There's no place like home."
