Friday, June 13, 2025

Spain: Madrid

Back in summer, Dave's sister, Marilyn told us she was planning on joining the King's Community Chorus on tour to Spain and wondered if we'd like to join in.  We didn't think too long and hard about that!  Dave joined rehearsals in January at King's University College and Marilyn and Ron joined them virtually on YouTube.  I was coming along as a groupie, sherpa, moral support, or just because.  

At the beginning of May, the choir gathered at the Edmonton International Airport and we were on our way, with a long day and night of travel.  By the time we landed in Madrid, the body clock said 'sleep', but the clock on the wall said it was morning time. We were whisked away for a whole day of activity to keep us from sleeping and hopefully fight through the jet lag better.  

We went on a bus tour and walking tour.  Everything was new and different.  


like going through the lamppost to another world

The Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas - bull fighting ring

If you're looking for a street name, look up on the sides of the buildings

Tio Pepe, a billboard for sherry that's become a cultural icon.

This is the plaza where the Madrid Camino to Santiago de Compostela begins.


The little balconies were ubiquitous. 

Fascinating architecture
both old and new

Finally we were taken to our hotel for the night, right next to these interesting towers, the Torres Kio.



 
The next day, Dave and I, along with some of the other choir members, went to Reina Sofia National Art Museum.  It's a collection of 20th century Spanish art including works by Dali, Picasso, Juan Gris and many more.  What I was fascinated with was the way art was used for making political statements, for propaganda in posters, or as responses to social struggles and the horrors of war.  


This is Picasso's famous Guernica. 
It's a response to the 1937 bombing of Guernica, Spain
by German Nazi and Italian forces.


Modern art inside the building. 
Graffiti art outside the building.



A group of about 12 of us enjoyed a tapas cooking class.  It was so well organized with everyone working on different dishes.  Within about an hour we were enjoy the results with a glass of sangria, also made by someone from the group.




our chef working his magic with flame

what a delicious spread!


Dave and I decided to take a walk to the Parque de Buen Retiro.  We walked around and admired the trees blossoms and statues, thinking we might enjoy an ice cream or coffee after a while. 





Things didn't go quite as planned.  It started to rain a little bit and we thought we'd wait it out under a tree.  Nope. We got soaked right through.  "The rain stays mainly on the plain, in Spain...."

The main event:

The entrance seemed so inconspicuous.

The church wasn't really noticeable until you were across the street. 

When the choir began rehearsal they were blown away by the sound in the big church.  The echo went on and on and the director had to slow down the singing to give time for the sound to travel. 



After rehearsal, the choir had time to find some supper before the performance at 9 p.m.  Unfortunately, the Spanish tradition is to eat dinner at 8:00 and all restaurants in the vicinity of the church were closed  until that time.  Except the fast food places.  KFC here we come!

Concert time.  A beautiful performance to a very appreciative audience. 








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