After endless airtime I land in Madrid and contact Elida. The man at customs didn't seem to believe me about my purpose and where I would be going. He delayed me for a minute while he squinted his eyes and thought. Finally he passes me through. Elida's messages says I am to take a taxi in to the city and meet her and Maria at Maria's office. I climb in a taxi with a man who speaks a little English. With my little Spanish and his little English we find out a bit about one another. The drive to the city is a short one. I am eager to meet Maria and excited to see Elida.
We pull up outside an office building and I send Elida a text. Within a few moments of me standing on the street I am greeted by Maria and Elida. Maria is tall, thin and beautiful. I was tired from the plane ride and Maria carried my bags upstairs where we were introduced to her boss. After that Elida and I were off to lunch and then to the Sorolla Gallery.
The lunch was at a little cafe that used local, fresh ingredients. The inside was designed with old wooden benches, reused materials of metal and folk art. All of the food was displayed gorgeously and we were both drawn to each item; tasty quiches, deserts and sandwiches. It was just the kind of place I would choose to eat back home. We had a few delicious items which we shared included gazpacho. Elida chatted with the owner grabbing a card.
Off we head to the museum. Unfortunately my battery is dead on my camera. The gallery is in the Sorolla home and the house is almost as stunning as the paintings. The gardens are lush and peaceful, a tranquil oasis amidst the city noise. Fountains and pergolas screen out the noise and the buildings surrounding. Inside we stroll past large paintings of Sorolla's family. His wife rarely smiles and one of his daughters looks just like her mom. He painted his family so often, his wife serious and daughters stoic. His son was serious as well. Such a contrast to me who wants to be seen smiling all the time. There were also paintings of gypsies with their alternative lifestyles. They look poor and haggard, dragged down by life. There were paintings of scientists examining things, ocean scenes where his play on light shined through; varied, bright, reflective, luminescent, necessary, small and large. His work space was massive with high ceilings reaching at least 20 feet. He had brushes of every size and shape.
We move through to the dining room which he has painted himself. He has portraits of his family weaved into the fruit and vines. The details of an artist were apparent in all corners of the house.
We end our visit and head to the bus. We need to get back to Maria's apartment for dinner. When we get off the bus Elida wanders for awhile not remembering which apartment building is the correct one. They all look the same. Eventually we find it and climb the stairs to the apartment where she proceeds to put the key in the wrong door and is eventually greeted by the owner with a puzzled look while Maria opens her door to greet us.
Maria is efficient in the kitchen and doesn't want any help. She lays out a spread of sardines, bread, salad, cheese and meats and we sit to watch the football game. It is Spain vs Brazil. The match is exciting but I am so tired I do not last until the end. I retire to bed and sleep well until morning. Tomorrow we will visit more of Madrid and then we are off to Galicia.
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