Monday, October 22, 2007

Madrid




I have made it to Spain.
Mike Wigal and I (see his blog to the left) had an unveventful flight and arrived in Madrid with no problems. Driving is interesting with a lot of traffic circles and we got lost in the largest underground tunnel system I have ever seen.
We did touristy stuff the first night and staying in a youth hostel. We were in a 14 bed room. Do you like the smell of old socks and beer?
We went to the markets and saw alot of street perfromers but had to run back to the hostel for forgotten cameras (mistake #1) and by the time we returned they were gone. All except the Bolivian folk band outside the Puerta del Sol metro station. They were all that was left of a number of interesting mucial performers that were in and around this "Sol" area. We did manage to get some cool pictures and even had a couple "small beers" and tapas bocadillos (ham sandwhices on french rolls) while watching the Real Madrid futbol team on the TV with the locals. Tapas bars are a big deal in Madrid and they are excellent. It's very common to see the hog legs hanging in the Tapas windows where they cut it right up for you. We had lunch at a place like this that was kind of interesting because you get to eat right out on the street. Madrid has a very cafe style life. Many people are alwasy out eating and drinking on the sidewalk cafes. Our sidewalks are too small in American to allow this. Tomorrow we are going to finish in Madrid and heat to the real Toledo. One of the first things mike and I saw when we pulled in Madrid was the Plaze del Torros. We heard the bull fights are Sunday night....



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