Viviendo la vida dulce: Viaje a Madrid con ojos nuevos

With a change in weather and without jet lag, I gave Madrid another go with my friend, Nathan. Our goal: Rediscover Madrid and go to an Atletico Madrid soccer game (or football match as many prefer). Along the way we got lost in a barrio, found the world's oldest restaurant, made a return trip to the Prado and Reina Sofia museums, and reached nirvana in the Parque del Buen Retiro.

Partido del Atleti contra El Elche (de Alicante)

In their home stadium (Estadio Vicente Calderón), we saw Atleti play against El Elche from the Valencia province. We sat around avid fans including families and some rabid 20-year-olds shouting the whole game through. Atleti scored off a penalty kick and a header off a corner kick to win 2-0. At halftime, the sound of crinkling tinfoil filled the air as everyone ate their sandwiches they brought from home. At the end of the game, people lingered in celebration, and one family left so happy from the game that it made me realize how invested these fans are in the team.

Los museos: lo clásico y lo moderno

I revisited the Prado to take a look at works from before. While in the museum I saw a few books from El Greco's private library, on display in one of the exhibition halls.