The Plane in Spain

• September 23
• September 24
• September 25
• September 26
• September 27
• September 28
• September 29
• September 30
• October 1
• October 2
• October 3
• October 4

September 25

Team Spain

So after a night like that, well, I didn't sleep especially well, but that's okay, because I'm on vacation. I escaped the room somewhat early for us, so that I could take some pictures in the early morning light, and also get some Starbucks coffee. I'm discovering the benefits of globalization.

I got back to the room, and after arousing the guys, I herded them off to breakfast at the "Cafe with the Incompehensible Menu." I had a potato tortilla. It also had tuna in it - a little strange, but very good and filling. We're beginning to notice that tuna is in a lot of things. From breakfast, we marched off to the gadget store to buy an alarm clock, and then headed out to a day full of adventure.

Accordian Player near the plaza
outside the Royal Palace

We decided to check out the Royal Palace. We walked through some beautiful neighborhoods. We found the Opera House, and walked around to see an enormous palace: 2800 rooms. Unfortunately, the palace was closed today because of public ceremonies, but two plazas were open, which give a beautiful view of the compound.

Across the plaza from the palace is La Catedral de Nuestra Sra de Almudena. It's not a particularly large church, but it has an exquisite altar and some beautiful statuary. I took lots of pictures in very bad light, but I bought some postcards with which to delight my friends. After the palace and church, Ron picked the Plaza Mayor neighborhood to explore. It's a very touristy area, lots of restaurants, and some beautiful views of the city, not to mention incredible amounts of road construction. Along the way we visited a music store. Brian was in his own little heaven there.

The Ham Museum

We ate lunch at Cerveceria de Eboli. Now, I would not use Eboli in the name of a restaurant, but the food was very good. We had some tapas: jamon, manchego, calamari. Ron had some chicken and potatoes. Brian had some gazpacho. These are thematic foods.... I had several makeshift ham sandwiches. The ham is paper-thin and very dry and tasty. We washed it all down with sangria.

We had walked several miles, so when I got back to the room, I took a nap, for a few minutes at least. Ron snuggled up next to me, and now we're married. Just kidding, although we will be registering for gifts at Macy's as soon as we get back. Let's just say that after all of these years, he's hot, hot, hot. And Baby, I'm ready. He's such a sweetheart.

Then on to dinner. It was pretty heavy duty negotiating. To Ron's credit, he wants his vegetables. Unfortunately, Spanish cuisine doesn't prominently feature vegetables, except as afterthoughts. This is not an issue for me, and a small issue for Brian. It's a major issue for Ron. So tonight, we settled on an Andalusian cafe. We shared a bean stew, a salad, and some sea bass. The food was delicious, but not particularly Ron food. On the other hand, if we're in Spain, I want to eat authentic Spanish cuisine. Can this marriage be saved?

My co-worker, Ric, told me that I'd be eating all the time that we're here, but that we'd walk it off. He's nearly been right about that. Each day we've been here, we've walked several miles. Being where we're at in the Chueca neighborhood, we're in a great location to explore many different parts of Madrid.

Plaza Mayor

We've enjoyed our stay here. It's a beautiful city built on a very human scale. Most of the neighborhood streets are quite narrow, only one way. Drivers generally try to intimidate pedestrians, and pedestrians ignore cars except on the busiest streets. At night here in the Chueca neighborhood, the streets are very crowded, and everyone's going out to eat between 9 p.m. and midnight. Bars stay open almost 'til morning.

During the day, this is a vibrant commercial district. Many businesses close for siesta after 2 or 3 in the afternoon. At night all of these businesses have metal gates that have all been spray painted with grafitti. This gives the streets, night and day, a gritty feel. But this is an incredibly lively place.

Finally, a word about the people. We saw a bunch of oversized, gaudily dressed polyester clad tourists today at the Plaza Mayor. It was an American tour group. Very scary. And we've probably been ugly Americans a couple of times ourselves. I am learning to say "hola" before I say anything else. I'm say gracias, and forcing myself to order off the menus rather than to depend on Brian or Ron. I don't hear numbers very well, but Ron and I are trying hard.

So back to the people of Madrid - lively, beautiful style, conservative, but with some flashy taste. These people are also thin. Sometimes I'm the largest person on the street to my unending shame.

Oh, another last word, the street noise at all hours of the day and night is unbelievable. And my clothes smell like stale cigarette smoke. Maybe that's why they are all so thin.

Royal Palace