Episode 16 – Madrid – Opera House
We had enough seafood and we wanted some solid meat. The restaurant was comfortable, not posh but the food and beer were excellent.
I missed our good old-fashion Canadian food of meat and potatoes. I wanted a steak, but we did not know how to describe it when we ordered the food. We definitely would not like to have more squids with ink. This is the restaurant in Madrid that was famous for its cheap eat and we ended up with this.
The restaurant is on Grand Via close to Porte de Sol – subway station.
Beggars cannot be choosy. When you are not very descriptive with words, it is difficult to express your wish. I learn. We have one more day in Madrid and maybe I can have my wish at the farewell dinner.
Early morning, we got ready for the last day of excursion in town. In the afternoon we should have some free time. There is a big museum in Madrid called the Prado Museum. An exhibition of Goya’s work sound interesting. We took the bus from the hotel. The bus should pass by the museum on its route. The museum is huge. Goya’s paintings were in 5, 6, 7, rooms. That should take up a whole afternoon. Goya is one funny character. His paintings are usually very dark. I mean really dark. The topic matter is dark, the colours are dark and they have strong shocking, scary effect.
This museum was really big and I kept walking into a wrong room.
Goya also painted something that was earthier to our senses. The paintings were his alleged mistress. The 2 paintings are almost identical with the same posture. The only thing missing were the clothes. Why he wanted to paint twice of the same person? We of simple minds will never challenge the geniuses.
The evening fell. It is time to have dinner. This farewell dinner happened at a place called the Opera House. I walked through the narrow streets under the faint yellowish street lamps. It was silence and everybody knew this would be the last time to enjoy a meal with each other.
At the street corner was a most un-noticeable entrance. The reception area was very small. The restaurant took on a long and narrow shape and the tables and booths were arranged tight and neat. Since it is called the Opera House, there were old musical instrument, old writing instruments, music sheets, old costumes and many other artifacts. It is indeed an old house. It was split into different levels. The walk throughs are tiny and narrow. One good thing about this kind of set-up is, you really get close to each other.
I had my wish. I ordered the meat plate and it was very satisfying. What can I ask for more. Glasses were raised. Toasts were made. We wish each other a speedy and safe journey home. Then the singing ladies appeared. One played the piano and the other stood in the middle of the crowd and sang some light opera tunes. I never understood what she was singing about. The tune was fine and it was very enjoyable.
Parting is really such sweet sorrow. We wiped the tears from our eyes and headed back to rest. To-morrow is another day.