patriciakulesblog

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Many people have asked me questions about the Spanish language and what is proper. Here is where the buck stops—intellectuals from the Spanish-speaking world are invited to join this Academy. THEY write the dictionaries and decide what is correct Spanish! Increíble!

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And no trip to Madrid is complete without a visit to a national gem—the Prado Museum! From the paintings of El Greco, Velazquez to Goya, we are now experts. It was raining this morning and chilly, perfect for a museum day—hace fresco, un día típico primaveral…

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Miércoles, el 30 de marzo. We passed our COVID Internet monitored tests! We are NEGATIVE for COVID and can now enter the US tomorrow—oh traveling is so much fun right now! But Madrid is to be celebrated and we walked 6 miles today! Viva Madrid!

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It is great to see Madrid all cleaned up. When I lived here many, many years ago these lovely old buildings were gradually turning grey with the passing of time and air pollution. But after years of cleaning they are back to their original splendor! Son blancos!

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Paul found a new friend on our way to a tapas dinner! This statue is to honor the successful organization entitled ONCE that supports special needs, mostly visually impaired citizens through the sale of lottery tickets. And Spaniards do buy them—les interesa mucho apostar! They are gamblers for sure!

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Martes, el 29 de marzo, 2022. It was raining in Trujillo this morning but we were able to stay dry by riding to the bus station in a taxi. We took a bus to Madrid and then a taxi to our very nice accommodation in the historic center of town. It was kind of a shock to be in a big city after enjoying Pueblo or small town life. Vaya capital!

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And in the midst of this tiny, traditional, cobblestoned pueblo, we find a local dress designer's museum! He was friends with bullfighters and traditional Spanish flamenco dancing families and even created outfits for their children! Here's to a local designer who made it big--Enrique Elias!

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Paul likes our location despite the fact that we had to haul our suitcases up and up from the tiny bus station that was truly outside of town. We walked with them rumbling behind us for 1.5 kilometers. But the reward was staying in this luxury accommodation complete with courtyards and a well stocked BAR--vino y mas vino!

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martes, el 28 de marzo, 2022 We just loved those castle walls! It was brisk this morning! The chilly wind made it feel like a cool spring but at least the sun was out and warmed things up a bit. We are so comfy here in Trujillo in another Parador hotel--again a reconverted nunnery but there is nothing cell-like here--only luxury--solo lujo!

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And of course the pueblo is surrounded by HIGH castle walls and lookout posts. We climbed up to the walls and I do mean UP! The views were amazing. Spring temperatures are still chilly in this region but at least we had NO rain today! El clima es fresco pero excelente!

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The man in shadow is a beloved priest and the man on horseback is el Sr. Pizarro himself. He is known for "discovering" the Pacific OCean along with el Sr. Balboa as well as "founding" Peru! I cannot imagine what is must have been like to board a ship and sail to the hoped for worlds across the oceans! The Sunday tourists are here--los turists del domingo!

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domingo, el 28 de marzo, 2022 We left our comfortable hotel and headed to the train station. We rode the train from Merida to Caceres (both good sized towns in this region of Spain--Extremadura) and then took a short bus ride to this "Game of Thrones" filming site--a pueblo named TRUJILLO. Francisco Pizarro was born in this town and made his fortune in the "New World"--the mundo nuevo!

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So we have all heard of Roman chariot races as kind of a mythology but they really happened--like here in Merida! Archaeologists facilitated the rerouting of a major highway so that the site of the races in Merida could be saved. It was HUGE! We could just imagine the teams of horses galloping to a win! Living history for sure! La historia en vivo!

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And because the weather was a pleasant spring temperature, Spaniards were out in force sitting in their favorite cafe, talking and talking and eating and drinking! It is truly a delight to watch them do what they do best--socialize, especially after suffering in the pandemic! Masks are mandatory EVERYWHERE inside and the rule is enforced without complaint! Hay que ponerse la mascarilla dentro!

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sabado, el 26 de marzo, 2022 The weather was cool but not rainy today--a surprise for Merida so it was time to tour the MANY Roman, visigothic, Moorish and Christian sites in this town! And of course the newly wedded couple we found had the same idea! This town is like Rome, only better in so many ways! Es mejor que Roma!

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And along with these incredible archaelogical sites comes probably the BEST Roman art and history Museum I had ever visited! From catacomnbs to the finest sculptures, mosaics, coins and crafts--it just took my breath away! Such skilled and intelligent beings! Tenian talento e inteligencia!

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And I was not the only person who thought the amphitheater was amazing--we happened upon a TV show piece being filmed for Spanish audiences. Pretty amazing! It is interesting to note that there are NO AMERICANS in this town---tourists, yes, but none from the US. I cannot figure that out! This is an amazing destination! De maravilla es Merida!