The beautiful city of Madrid was facing a losing battle with the Hemlers. We took a sleeping pill with four hours to go on the flight and woke up dazed and confused when we touched ground. Rookie mistake. We muddled our way to the airport lounge (thank you business class) and cashed out for several hours at the nearest vertical spot like a couple of hobos. We woke up even more confused. We prepared for a long day of exploring with a French bath in the w.c. and a few remarkable cafe con leches. And a banana.

My first call was to my classmate Alejandro Garcia-Argudo Mendes, the most classic European I have ever met, who gave us the scoop on his beloved city. He did his best to send us to the hottest spots in Madrid if you only have one day...which is almost a crime in the view of most Spaniards. What do you mean just one day? I know, I know...next time we´ll spend a month in España! (I´m still in Madrid so I have the ñ)
The airline kept our big luggage, but we still have enough camera equipment and reading material for a small village. And we carried it all around Madrid. We started at the Puerto de Alcala, saw the beautiful Alcala gate all lit up with lights and walked through the park. We walked down Calle Alcala, through a gorgeous shopping area (got a super zoom lens in Euros - el stupido), walked through El Corte Ingles department store, through Puerto Sol, and the lively Plaza Mayor. The city center was filled with beautiful lights and ´feliz navidad´ and lots of loud noise makers and more varieties of Christmas hats than I´ve ever seen. Or ever wanted to see. After a couple hours we were in desperate need of food and bev. We stopped at a cute little cafe for tapas, paella and delicious rioja. We could have stayed there all night in the cozy warmth and comfort. Maybe we should have. But we embarked, yet again, and continued our journey through the city streets. We wandered, got lost, got found, and finally collapsed in the warm and inviting arms of a Taberna (pub). We had some marginal goat cheese with caramelized onions and honey, more vino and thawed out.
On the cab ride back we thought we lost one of Joe´s gloves. This may seem insignificant, but we JUST lost one of a pair that he got for Christmas and this was a replacement. Defeat was upon us and it was touch and go. But in the end we found the mysterious glove amongst our many wares and were not defeated. Phew!
In a few minutes we will board our plane to SA. We´re nervous but mostly excited. We plan to sleep more on this ride and not be tempted by the unending food, beverage and movies that the temprest flight attendants have to offer.

See you in Africa! xx