We arrived in Madrid yesterday afternoon to discover that – starting today – we have to conquer Madrid and then move through Spain to Gibraltar – then cross into Morocco – and get back to Lisbon, Portugal by Thursday night. Talk about overwhelming!!! We started on Madrid early this morning. Just a few highlights:
#1: Find the statue of literary characters in Plaza de Espana: If any 
of you know Rainey at all, you know that he is crazy about Don Quixote. And when we arrived in Plaza de Espana, what did we find? A statue of Don Quizote and side-kick Sancho Panza. Rainey was happy for the rest of the day.
of you know Rainey at all, you know that he is crazy about Don Quixote. And when we arrived in Plaza de Espana, what did we find? A statue of Don Quizote and side-kick Sancho Panza. Rainey was happy for the rest of the day. #2: Playing Dress-Up: OK – goofy as heck – 
but there you go.. there were points for dressing up as a Matador and a Flamenco dancer so we of course found ourselves posing in front of the Royal Palace. On this trip, there is very little that you would not do for points - including eating eggs with day old chicks inside.
#3: Segway tour: We had to rent Segways and take a tour of Madrid. They were much easier to
drive than I thought they would be, but I was still a significant menace to all passerbys. And we unfortunately had major malfunctions. In the course of our tour, our group managed to hit one of the segways into a pole and two stopped working along the way. And it started to rain on us on the way back. But even with the mishaps, it was fun to be out scootering around town.
#4: Tapas: We had to try Tapas at
various restaurants in this trendy area. Here we are – finally back in a totally civilized country - and they are carving up an animal’s leg (foot still attached) in a fancy restaurant. Gross, gross, gross. I feel no need to actually watch – on display - the full thigh of any animal that I am eating.
but there you go.. there were points for dressing up as a Matador and a Flamenco dancer so we of course found ourselves posing in front of the Royal Palace. On this trip, there is very little that you would not do for points - including eating eggs with day old chicks inside.#3: Segway tour: We had to rent Segways and take a tour of Madrid. They were much easier to
drive than I thought they would be, but I was still a significant menace to all passerbys. And we unfortunately had major malfunctions. In the course of our tour, our group managed to hit one of the segways into a pole and two stopped working along the way. And it started to rain on us on the way back. But even with the mishaps, it was fun to be out scootering around town.#4: Tapas: We had to try Tapas at
various restaurants in this trendy area. Here we are – finally back in a totally civilized country - and they are carving up an animal’s leg (foot still attached) in a fancy restaurant. Gross, gross, gross. I feel no need to actually watch – on display - the full thigh of any animal that I am eating. #5: Egyptian Library: And you are wondering why there is a 2000 year old Egyptian library in 
the middle of Madrid? Apparently it was a gift from Egypt. The structure was dismantled and brought brick by brick to Spain and re-assembled in a park in the middle of Madrid.
#6: Bullfight: And the highlight of today.. the bullfight. Before we went, we talked about the fact that – in America – there are cows slaughtered every day in horrific conditions in slaughterhouses and we happily eat hamburgers, so it is not for us to judge a culture that performs the act of slaying cattle in a ceremonial way. Fully intellectually prepared, we
headed off to the bullfighting ring.. and came face to face with abject animal cruelty. The matadors were beautiful and the flapping of the capes was interesting until they started stabbing the bull, and the bull started bleeding, and they kept stabbing him and stabbing him… and the bull bled and bled… and did not die. Natasha had her entire head covered by her jacket. Elizabeth and Emily were crying. We were quite the spectacle of PETA supporters… and yes, we left as soon as the first bull was finally put out of its misery.
the middle of Madrid? Apparently it was a gift from Egypt. The structure was dismantled and brought brick by brick to Spain and re-assembled in a park in the middle of Madrid.#6: Bullfight: And the highlight of today.. the bullfight. Before we went, we talked about the fact that – in America – there are cows slaughtered every day in horrific conditions in slaughterhouses and we happily eat hamburgers, so it is not for us to judge a culture that performs the act of slaying cattle in a ceremonial way. Fully intellectually prepared, we
headed off to the bullfighting ring.. and came face to face with abject animal cruelty. The matadors were beautiful and the flapping of the capes was interesting until they started stabbing the bull, and the bull started bleeding, and they kept stabbing him and stabbing him… and the bull bled and bled… and did not die. Natasha had her entire head covered by her jacket. Elizabeth and Emily were crying. We were quite the spectacle of PETA supporters… and yes, we left as soon as the first bull was finally put out of its misery. We leave tomorrow for the South of Spain and a crossing into Africa.. stay tuned.
5 comments:
bullfights make the cock fighting seem humane by comparison n --- looks like y'all are having a great time though xo
I've missed a couple of your updates. Was I'm Mexico. But looks like we have lots to talk about when I see you again. Big hugs to all
i just read the africa part? Obviously my geography is not what i thought it to be? what?
I could not have done the bull fight....even for points. I take my hatv off to you guys especially the girls. I might never eat beef again after that. Sounds like you are all having a blast. You seem to be zigzagging all over the place.
I can't seem to find all other blogs by other teams... Keep up the good work.
i'm glad you got to see the bull fight on this trip so you don't make us go in june. looks like your going to get your wish of going to morocco. let me know how it goes!!!
looks like your not going to need me as a tour guide to spain cause your going to be a pro!!!!!!
love you!
clo
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