Mixed Madrid

A hidden gem of a hotel is always great. The feeling of discovery is a great travel memory. When your hotel is only hidden though it is annoying. Ours should have been called Hotel Los(t).

Quote of the day: 'there is so much cool stuff in Madrid'. New DeNiro movie was being launched across the street from our digs and had just walked through the main prostitute drag from tapas at the Mercado near midnight.

A big fat tourist day today. Caught a flamenco show, the male lead playing the part of the peacock well. The female lead tried to knock our table over twice on her way back stage. Great show less the sangria on trav's (clean!) jeans.

With only one full day we had to pick one of the many galleries. Unknown to us until today the Reina Sofia experience is up there with Tate & Moma, especially for locals Dali and Picasso.

Had a late lunch at the oldest restaurant in the world for roast suckling pork. The crackling was worth the price of admission- wafer thin, like pastry. Extra master stock brought to our table was fixed with a spoon (t) and some bread (r).

Sangria, done well with good wine is a new fave summer drink. It is summer conditions here now.

Had a jamon tutorial: an Iberian pig's front legs are only for 'leaning on' so they produce a lesser quality ham so our ham specialist advised us, and more acorns the better before they are 'sacrificed'.

Pug is looking dirty, so much so that the person who filled the car with 'Gazole' told me that there is car wash nearby. Very funny guy- after I thanked the spaniard in Portuguese he said ciao! Had only just crossed the border!

The 'Sof' gallery/Hong Phat pork has a rival in Botin/Hotel Los(t)