May 2 - Mafra and the castle complex

 Today, Tuesday, it started out rainy and windy.  I left New Mexico hoping to get away from the spring winds - only to find much wind in Portugal.  We are in Mafra which is close to the coast and it is windy.  We didn't leave the house until around noon because of the rain.  We are almost 8 minutes away from the castle/cathedral complex.  Free parking is another plus.  But it is crazy windy and cold.  The cathedral is free to view.  We are with Alexis and Rob and family.  They are all about getting out and going places in spite of the whether.  So off we go!  First into the Cathedral.

Jesus with a light 

saber?

Later I took these shots across the street - so much better.

Inside the Palace.

The palace officials were very anal about everyone following the correct route.  I went slightly off route to take a photo of what I thought was the Queens bedroom.  I got yelled at.  Later we saw this sigh.  When Alexis and Natasha deviated from the route - I said, "Please circulate properly!  You are off the tour circuit!"  It became a joke.

The library was amazing.

Are your kitchen knives dull - here is the solution.

The antlers and heads room.  On the other side of that wall on the left is the babies room.  Seems appropriate - Yes?

One of the first pinball machines.

The bathtub room had decorative birds on the walls.  I am imagining how many helpers would be needed to fill that tub with warm/hot water.

A view from one of the palace windows.

Another view from a old warped window.  I love that stuff!

The kings bedroom.

And his crown!

And so many more rooms!

The monks hospital.  All of the beds face forward so that the monks can pray towards the alter.

The kitchen.

One of the nursing monks rooms.  Hopefully there would be something a little more comfortable on the wood bed - but maybe not.

This looks like a big crib  - actually it is for use with sick monks who have lost there shit.  Either a very high fever from being very ill or a mental illness - we just need to contain them!

I think this is some higher up church officials outfit.

Interesting tabalo.  Apparently some monks went to Morocco to spread the Christian religion and were all beheaded.