Everyone took his turn rowing - except me, of course! I was busy taking photos of all the boys working so hard, haha! The water is about 2 metres deep, kind of gross, but there are plenty of fish (carp, I think) jumping and splashing around. It was hot out there on the water, but as usual, the guys organized a soccer game afterwards. Go figure. On Friday afternoon, we visited the House and Museum of Joaquin Sorolla - a 20th century Spanish painter who is famous for his beach scenes containing bright colours $ light and for his wonderful paintings of his wife and family. He has particular ties to CT inasmuch as his patron was Archer Huntington, founder of the Hispanic American Society in New York. Equally well known is his wife, Anna Hyatt Huntington, American sculptress. Some of her very famous work is here in Spain, particularly in Valencia where there is a spectacular sculpture of El Cid. Anyhow, the Huntingtons had a house and substantial lang holdings in Redding, CT which they donated to the State to be used as a State Park. (Huntington Park)
Sorolla´s museum is one of the few where you can take all the photos you want (sin flash!) and so the boys snapped away! Many of them have little or know knowledge of art and therefore little interest. However, I dare to say that while I may not make art aficionados out of them, they will at least have gained a little knowledge and a better understanding of art - heaven knows I´ve dragged them to enough museums -and they´re not done yet!
On Monday we went to the Reina Sofia Museum, a former palace turned hospital turned art gallery that houses Spanish art from the 19th century on - or the Spanish modernist art. Some of the artists included are Miró, Picasso, Dalí and a little of Goya (his modernist style work). The centerpiece of the museum is Picasso´s Guernica - his condemnation of the horrors of the Spanish Civil War (1936-39) Painted in blacks and whites, this massive work represents the bombing of the small Basque village of the same name.
Later that evening, I took the boys out for tapas in the Cuevas - the subterranean restaurants beneath the Plaza Mayor. This isn´t the most gastronomically adventerous group Ive ever had, but they did try (and like, I think!) a few local specialties such as Pimientos al Padrón, queso Manchego and chorizo.
Tuesday we went walking along the Manzanares River in Madrid checking out the new Madrid Rio - river walk. Construction has only recently been completed, so the trees are young and small and dont ýet provide too much shade. I actually read in the paper yesterday that the first kiosk has been approved in the area - soon one will be able to buy water! It is truly a lovely walk, nearly 30 km in its entirety including space for bicycles, playgrounds for children, picnic areas, numerous bridges and spectacular views of the city from a vantage point previously virtually unreachable.
On Wednesday, we spent the afternoon at the Zoo - it´s rather expensive, but a place where we spent about 6 hours.
They have a huge variety of animals in a very environmentally friendly habitat. You can get really close to the animals and there are also a number of shows, birds of prey, sea lions, dolphins, etc. Once again, lots of great photo ops! 
Today we are going to the Teatro Real - the boys are thrilled (Not!) because as usual, I¨m dragging them to a "cultural" event when they´d rather be doing.... well, just about anything else! (especially if it pertains to a soccer ball or food. However, I´ve told them that they are guinea pigs - I´ve heard the theatre is a spectacular place to visit and I´ve never been.... so they get to go so I can see it! There is a method to my madness.
It is hard to believe we are nearly finished in Madrid. The next couple of days will be a flurry of "finishing up" activities and making sure everything fits in suitcases.
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