We got started very late today. But hey, we aren’t on any sort of schedule so that’s just fine. First we had our terrifically exciting powdered coffee, but to add to the fun we opened one of the small panettone boxes we received on our IRYO train ride. (And we have one more so maybe it gets eaten tomorrow.)

We both knew it was a shower day, so I decided to wash my pjs as well as myself. Doing the small amounts of laundry I do is even easier if I do that in the shower.

We decided a visit to the Prado Museum would be a good thing to do, so I purchased tickets and we readied ourselves for a 25 minute walk.

Up to Gran Via we went. But wait, what is that horrible noise? And what is with all the Santa suits? Turns out it was some sort of motorcycle thing and you wouldn’t believe how many there were (with police escorts). Sadly I wasn’t able to get a good video, but I got what I could. (I tried editing it, but I guess that didn’t quite work for this. Sorry!)

These motorcycles, though, were painful on the ears. It was so very loud we opted to get off that street and go back down to Plaza del Sol to get to the museum. The crowds were easier to manage than the noise.

We went into a little place for some lunch. Typical of me, I ordered too much. I really should just get an appetizer. This is before our food came: just something they put out to eat and our “sin alcool” (without alcohol) beers.

Then on to the museum we went. We’d purchased the audio guide as well, and could choose which one we wanted they had one for a short hour tour all the way up to nine hours. We opted for the three hour one.

I’m not sure what they were thinking when they put it together: rather than moving logically from room to room we sometimes had to go nearly the full length of the building for the next painting or sculpture. We stuck it out for a good amount of time, but eventually we both hit the wall. So we purchased cookies and water for those awful museum prices, and agreed after that that we were through.

Walking back to the hotel the masses of people were again insane. I simply had no idea how crowded it gets here. The police presence is obvious, but I think about the recent Germany tragedy and think it only takes one person to go off on a rampage. I’m really not sure it’s safe to be out in these crowds. We all felt that way in Munich as well.

Back to our hotel it was, as usual, rest time. One reason we wanted to get back and be well rested is because tonight is our Flamenco and Dinner event. We have great memories of the show we saw in Seville, and I’m hopeful this will be equally enjoyable.

When it was time to leave we made our way to the location for Tablao Las Carboneras. As is so often the case I managed to go the wrong direction a few times, but we had left ourselves plenty of time so it was no biggie. Plus we saw this projection thing again. We now know (from our tapas tour guide yesterday), that this is a convent. Makes sense that they’d be playing sacred music and projecting these images.

Arriving at our destination we were checked in and seated. There was a bit of a mixup — at first they didn’t think I’d paid for a full dinner — but that was eventually cleared up. I think there must have been two Patricias or something. Truth be told we would have been fine with the first course that they initially thought was what we were to get. I’m rather sorry, in fact, that I bothered to eat any of the second course!

The show was fantastic. I’m so glad we went! One “oops!” from me: they said photos and videos were allowed as long as the videos weren’t long and we didn’t use flash. So I started a video … who knew that the light comes on for those automatically? I sure didn’t! I quickly put my hand in front of the bright light and then turned that off. Eek! I only shot a few things. We were there to watch and listen, after all, not use cameras! (The internet at our hotel is awful, and I’m not sure if the videos will even work.)

Then back home we went. Something was definitely happening on the side of the opera house: we saw people lined up down the building, some in funny outfits. I think Madrid is a wacky place this time of year!

Tomorrow is our final full day in Madrid. It is, in fact, our final full day in Europe. So far we have no plans for the day, so who knows what it will bring. It will be Sunday, so I’m assuming much will be quieter and closed down, but at this point, in this particular city, who knows?

Adios!