S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y Night!

Well ..... The Bay City Rollers were not playing last night, but everyone else was.  Seriously hoping Sunday nights are quieter.

My sister asked what city we are in.  Apologies for not saying that up front.  Madrid!

El Rastro - oh my! This is the most popular flea market in Spain. It is open every Sunday and is not to missed.  This street scene is repeated throughout the neighborhood. John was disappointed -- he said it has nothing on First Monday in Canton and nowhere did he see a hatchet carved Yosemite Sam.

As you might imagine, El Rastro is a pickpocket's dream. We behaved accordingly.

Luck was on our side as we approached the Palacios Real.  The line was minimal and it turned out we were 20 minutes ahead of a busload of tourists.

Try as one may, it is near impossible to not look like a tourist. At least we don't buy Spanish lottery tickets by saying, "Gimme two of those."

It would be nice to have a photo of us together. However, we refuse to buy any of the selfie-sticks sold on every street corner.  We'll ask someone who looks nice and trustworthy to take one.

Not too far from the Palacios Real is the most wonderful monument to Cervantes.  A real masterpiece. It is a lesson in patience.  Everyone wants their picture taken next to Don Quixote in the same pose and it is difficult to get a photo without someone in it..

I really must learn what this "freaky goat thing" represents.  He (she?) comes in assorted glam costumes.  Today, it was gold lamé.

Things we learned today:

1. You absolutely cannot hear the flamencos next door because they are drowned out by the crowds and thumping bass everywhere else on the street.
2. The full-length mirror in our bedroom loses 15 pounds and adds a couple of inches.  I must find one for home.
3. Copyright infringement runs rampant; best illustrated by the Minnie Mouse holding a handful of Hello Kitty balloons.
4. The Americanization of culture is everywhere.  We *think* we know this and then we see this along the Gran Via. (Look closely at all the store signs.) However, the epitome of the phenomenon is the Apple Store on the Puerta del Sol. It is just as crowded as the one at the Domain.