By asthaa
On a recent Saturday afternoon, after a few hours of both procrastinating and studying, I decided to enjoy the beautiful day and get a breath of fresh air. Luckily for me, El Retiro, what I think of Madrid’s version of Central Park, is less than a ten-minute walk from my host family’s home and is the perfect place for a stroll. Every Wednesday, in order to get to my art class in the Prado I have to walk from the east end of Retiro to the west, and for some reason because of this 15 minute walk I thought I knew much of Retiro. Oh, how I was wrong. This Saturday, as I headed in a direction away from my normal route, I came upon the Palacio Cristal and the most delightful pond that sits close to the steps of the massive glass structure. At first I stood staring at the fountain in the center of the pond, where a couple of families of ducks and swans swam. When I finally pulled myself away from the water, I decided to step inside the gorgeous glass, “crystal,” structure behind me.
I could not have made a better detour (is it still a detour if you don’t have a specific destination?). The space was filled with the light of Saturday afternoon and revealed the yellows and oranges of fall leaves above. The sun warmed the visitors through the glass. As I walked from one end to the other, each side offered a distinct view of the surroundings. Built in the late nineteenth century, the Palacio stands as a testament to a space that can be a true window to the natural world around it. At that moment it was empty of any objects. The Palacio is now used for art exhibitions and was once a greenhouse. It was an incredibly peaceful place and I will return to my new favorite spot soon.
I cannot say that I have a most-preferred piece or art or architecture in Madrid, but right now the Palacio is another reason why I feel lucky to be in the city and to have been placed with my host family. Whether I am at home or outside exploring, I like to think I’ve embraced Madrid. Standing in the sunshine in Palacio Cristal, I felt as if I’m receiving that embrace back. Next time, I definitely won’t forget my camera!