Back to Spain for More Distraction

On our first visit to Spain, in late 2021, both of us decided that we wanted to return to Madrid to visit the Prado and also return to Valencia. So when our dear friend and faux daugher, Ana King, told us she was heading to Spain for work, we decided to meet up for a weekend in Madrid. It should be no surprise that our first stop was for a lovely tapas dinner.

The first photo was a selfie taken on the bus to our plane at Lisbon airport. I include it mainly to show Will's smiling face...looking forward to another trip and to spend time with Ana.

The next day, we enjoyed a quick tour of beautiful Madrid on a hop on hop off bus. This was followed by a visit at the Prado. This museum is huge and just stunning. What a wonderful day.

After sending Ana on her way, Will and I headed to Valencia. We loved Valencia on our earlier visit, especially the contrast between the Old Town and the Calatrava-designed City of Arts and Sciences. What we did not know until we arrived was that our visit coincided with the Festival of Fallas. The festival celebrates spring by constructing large, cartoonish sculptures around town and then culminates with bonfires. Throughout the several days of the festivals, people shoot of firecrackers at random. Both of us were frequently started by these explosions during our meanderings around town. WIthout doubt, some local residents learned some of the finer points of American cursing.

We spent a full day at the City of Arts and Sciences and toured both the science museum and the Oceanigraphic. Aside from the wonderful architecture, both museums were interesting and educational.

The distraction worked again. Then it was time to head back home -- to Cascais.