Madrid - Diurnal living.

Sunday Fleamarket.
 'Beth, where are you?'

City Lights

Although they favoured the smaller town atmosphere over the large urban setting, Beth and Rob broke this pattern when they left Barcelona, a city of five million, then headed to Spain’s largest metropolis, Madrid. When they inquired, their Barcelona host Kaori summed up the differences between the two cities. "Barcelona is all about the architecture and being outside. Madrid...That city is about the museums and the night life."

The Bullfighter's Hotel

They arrived on a Saturday afternoon and after settling in they headed out on a walk to become acquainted with their new neighbourhood. By the time they finished their very late lunch (three delicious courses & a drink - 10 Euros) they emerged from the restaurant to find the streets transformed. The narrow cobble streets and sidewalks were filled with people of all walks and ages. As they ambled around, they were astonished at the number of people. People were filing into the various cabaret shows, enjoying drinks at outdoor cafes, dining on tapas at the many restaurants and bars, or enjoying the evening stroll on the pedestrian only streets. They hadn't seen so many people since they left Rome.

Protesters or Hooligans?

 I'll Tapas That!

Over the week of their stay, Rob and Beth followed the local schedule. After a morning of exploring the city, they ate a lunch late, then  they followed that with a siesta. Although they never ‘painted the town’ each night, they did go out a most evenings; sometimes just for a stroll but sometimes for tapas or a glass of wine. Despite the crowds never became as thick as they were on that Saturday night, the sidewalks were always the busiest in the evening.