The breakfast at the Intercontinental far exceeded that of the Le Meridian. I told Kathryn I was going to enjoy breakfast each day in Madrid! I walked Kathryn to the Embassy and then walked back to the hotel to catch up on some emails. I studied the Madrid map and located two places I wanted to visit. I was looking for a place where I could sit at a café- write in this blog – and people watch.
After getting some directions from the hotel concierge I headed off to the subway and was able to get on and off at the right place. The subways were very clean, safe and easy to use. One euro gets you anywhere you want to go in Madrid.
I found Plaza Del Sol first and I knew that I had been there before when Mindy and I visited Alicia in 2003. Those emotions hit me again and I wished that Mindy were with me again on this trip.
I walked a couple of blocks and found Plaza Mayor. I had been there before also. What a beautiful part of Madrid.
I headed back to Plaza del Sol and found a café on the corner that would be perfect for people watching – and here I sit – writing this blog.
I ordered a sandwich and a beer, and later on a plate of olives. The waiter told me that “it was a large plate of olives and would last me for two weeks”. I remembered those days when my sisters would give me a #10 can of olives for my birthday or Christmas. I told the waiter – maybe it will last two days” ha
A woman about my age and two elderly men sat down at the table next to me. The two men immediately fell asleep. One was smoking a large cigar that was now on the short side. He was holding it between his fingers as he slept. I envisioned it burning down and then burning his fingers. I got the woman’s attention and pantomimed him sleeping, the burning cigar and him jumping up in pain. She laughed so hard she woke up the two men!
Another woman approached my table and said something in Spanish which I thought meant “is anyone sitting here?” So I shook my head meaning no… well she must have said “Can I sit here?” and she got a hurt look on her face and walked away! That would be as close as I would get to writing a romantic section to today’s blog! Ha
I met Kathryn back at the hotel at 6:30. We headed off around 7:15 to met Clara, our 1999 exchange student who was living and working in Madrid. I had not seen Clara since our trip here in 2003. We had reservations at the Botin restaurant at 8:00 p.m. (early for Madrid eating). El Botin bills itself as the oldest continuous running restaurant in the world.
The restaurant had a familiar feel to it and I wondered if Mindy, Alicia and I had eaten there before. Clara arrived and we had a great time. She works for Mary Kay cosmetics and had matured into a very pretty, outgoing and fun woman! We had a time and a mediocre dinner. Ernest Hemingway was billed as a frequent guest in his time.
(Clara's meal: Squid in its own ink - I didn't try it)
We made our way back to the subway with Kathryn and Clara laughing about me knowing the area better than them!
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