After dropping our bags at our hotel, we walked to the Palcio Real de Madrid, The Royal Palace. Since we had breezed through immigration, we arrived hours before the entry listed on our tickets. Fortunately that did not question that.
However they did question Mrs Rams status as unemployed. When Mr Ram booked the tickets he saw the retired option. There was a stipulation that you needed to be over 65 and an EU citizen. So no discount there. There was an unemployed option though. He thought, “Mrs Ram has not worked for years.” (He expected a good slap for that because “A woman’s work us never done.” But it saved $12…)
Apparently to receive that discount, one needs an offical “not working” card for the discount. The woman at the door said Mrs Ram would need to pay the $6 senior fee. (To a 20 year old we looked that old) That sounded OK to us. Yet when we got inside, the man just scanned our tickets and sent us in.
There were numerous spaces used for ceremonies, dining and dancing. Ante chambers provided space for dignitaries to wait and prepare themselves for an audience with the king and queen.
And the throne room.
Apparently one is not supposed to take pictures in there. Mr Ram missed that sign.
A few things nagged at the back of our minds though. First is just so much effort and opulence accorded leaders who just happened to be born well. Is that fair? In its day it may have made sense and a good leader may have been worth it.
In some ways America has its “Royal” family’s. There have been Adams, Kennedys and Bushes. One might also count Rockefellers and Vanderbilts in that group as well.
The big thing the Palace missed on was our “drive by” test. Yes it’s large and impressive, plenty of room to spread out and entertain. And a large garden too.
But going by, it was easy to see it needed work.
What other maintenance nightmares would a new owner find?