After 3 days of 5+ mile treks around an event venue, I finally got to take some time off and explore Madrid a bit more with a coworker, K. Once again, I lucked out and was able to spend my overseas holiday with a fabulous companion!
First, we slept in. After three days on an event, lemme tell you, that is the first priority. 
After a delightfully slow start to the day, we ventured into the city to visit the Museo del Prado. I’ll admit, I’m not a big art person (I prefer natural and historical locations), but Museo del Prado was absolutely stunning. Literally, the experience left my brain a little stunned–so many seminal works and masterpieces in once place! K and I spent over 6 hours there, easily the most time I have ever spent in one museum. Part of me wishes they let you take photos because there was so much to see. On the other hand, I think I enjoyed seeing the art more since I wasn’t preoccupied taking photos (even if I won’t remember everything I saw!).
One of the funnest things was I remembering pieces that my kooky art history prof covered in my college art history class. All of the text book reading and class discussion doesn’t prepare you at all, though, for the sheer scope of some of those pieces! And in some cases the frames are more complex and ornate than the painting itself.
See all photos in the gallery here
