Madrid! September 23, 2011

We arrived safely in Madrid this morning, We are in a hostel right off Puerta del Sol, in downtown Madrid.Tom booked this hostel and guess what?? We are located above the best Starbucks in Madrid (reportedly). Is anyone who knows him surprised that he managed that?
A few things we encountered during our after nap, evening promenade with the Madrilanos,,,,



The inside of Starbucks (twice)



A "Pope shop" (you know you are in a catholic country when they have an entire store devoted to the fancy robes and gilt "acoutremounts" that catholic prients need to dress for fancier occasions)

Lots of street performers (metallic men seems to be the overwhelming favorite)


"Ladies of the evening" dressed in wifebeater t shirts (worn as dresses...this seemed to be the required uniform.... prostitution is legal here, however pimping is not)



Large groups of college age kids (male and female) running around asking people to smash the plate of whipped cream they were holding, into their face (already VERY messy with previous successes). You were required to pay them 1 euro for the privlege.


Charming old buildings, including our hostel (slanty floors and all)



Really kind, helpful people. (especially the metro worker who a) explained our route twice to Tom and his sleep deprived brain, b) retrived our second ticket for the payment machine when he left one behind and c) chased us down when he left his ticket in the metro ticket reader)



A tapas bar where we ordered the Especial . Two beers and a selection of 8 tapas. We argeed I would drink the two beers and Tom would eat all of the Tapas with meat....the beers were fairly small, so my part was easy.... Spaniards being the Jamon lovers that they are....7 of the 8 Tapas had meat however.... ham of every description from cured to uncured tosmoked. Tom was unable to hold up his end of the bargain. Looks like it's queso and patates for me for the next three weeks.