Day 2

Day 2 in the city of Madrid. We both took advantage of the Spain lifestyle today and I think we could get used to it! Late to start the day, late to finish. Most people in Madrid that we have seen don't start their day til 10 or 11 am, we suppose people work, but it is a ghost town until then.  Then they take lunch from 2 - 4 and things shut down until about 5.  Then a late dinner from 9- 11. People were still kicking it at midnight when we started walking back to the apt!  We recovered after the day of traveling by sleeping in late. We then set our sights on the Museo de Prado.

After a brief Metro ride we arrived by the muesums, but needed lunch. So we found a nice cafe where we had no clue what the waiter was saying nor could make out half the menu. None the less, Caitlin ended up with a delicious mushroom and mussells dish and Thomas had gorgonzolla gnochi. After lunch we went and enjoyed a stroll around de Prado. We spent the afternoon touring the works of Rembrandt, Rafael, Vasquez, and GOYA.  *Thomas loved it, but it was all a little dark for me. Uncultured fool, I know. But Saturn eating the baby head and blood was a little too much.

After the muesum Thomas wanted his picture with the statue of GOYA outside. While posing for Cait, a woman approached Thomas with a big smile and started speaking spanish. She asked if Thomas was ANTONIO! After a brief moment, she walked away and we had a laugh. She must have been looking for a blind date. So for the rest of the day Thomas went by Antonio.  *and perhaps the rest of the trip, but he doesn't realize it yet!

As Caitlin and Antonio ventured down the street they ran into 8,000 protesters. Apparently the government is cutting wages and coal miners for the country and these miners have been marching for days across the country. We just happen to catch a glimpse of them. After a rest at a nearby fountain we headed out to Plaza Mayor. We traveled though old Mardid by foot and took in many sights. Once we arrived in the plaza we relaxed at a near by bench and took pictures. An age old tradition of couples bringing locks and attaching them to the light posts means their love will stay true forever (see pic below). The plaza was magnificant. It was filled with performers, souvenier shops and restaurants. Very touristy now, but filled with great history as the meeting point and outdoor performance area since the 1600s.

After some photos and a walk around the plaza Antonio and Caitlin headed to the Mercado de San Miguel. What an amazing market. Hundreds of people were there trying tapas sized servings of anything you can name from fruit to seafood, meats, olives and aweets for a few euros.  We started out with some wine and croquettas. Next we stopped by the Meating Point, Cait loved the name and wants to have one at home. We enjoyed a tapas of 4 baby veal loin sandwiches. They were out of this world.  Next we indugled on some olives with a variety of cheese and meat. Caitlin found a booth with vermooth on tap to top off our stay in the market. We then stopped at the same outdoor restaurant as yesterday overlooking the market and enjoyed a few glasses of wine and tapa of eggs over easy, french fries and chorizo.

After our last meal we ventured back to the apartment, we stopped at a fountain for Felipe IV ( #3 is in the Plaza Mayor) and relaxed a bit. When we returned home, we encountered a new look to our street. At least 4 or 5 places that were not open last night are open tonight! Crazy. We didn't even know they existed.

Three things we learned today:
1. Wine is same price as water, so might as well have wine.
2. Croquettas are becoming our new favorite food item.
3. The real Antonio must be very handsome

*it happened again, and when buying water the checkout girl started talking in Spanish and then realized he was a different person!