jueves, 18 de sept. y viernes, 19 de sept.

jueves, 18 de septiembre:

Graeham and I see the Plaza Mayor and have drinks near La Latina.  We see a woman (possibly a prostitute) wearing a short, denim skirt and a top that bares her large and formidable midriff.  She appears dark in complexion yet has blond hair.  She has created some commotion and gained the attention of nearly everyone dining or walking in the street.  We're happy cause this means it's socially acceptable for us to stare too!  When in Rome...  I have a cana while Graeham drinks vino and eats jamon Iberico.  Later we hear an ambulance pull up to the corner and witness a rather pathetic group of slightly overweight, female EMTs "jog" a block to the scene.  As we note that they have parked rather far from said emergency, we see one of the women coming back (wearing one rubber glove mind you).  She drives the ambulance around the city block to the appropriate site.  Out of sheer morbid curiosity, Graeham and I elect to peer around the corner where low and behold, the aforementioned "prostitute" has created another spectacle.  We walk around the block to avoid the scene.

viernes, 19 de septiembre:

I run errands: Caja Madrid (to resolve the issue of my non-resident certifcate that has expired 2yrs prematurely), Banesto (but this branch won't cash my check), and Alcampo (for groceries).  A torrid afternoon inspires me to indulge in a refreshing Starbucks frappacino along my way.  It hits the spot!  Andrew has asked to stay with me tonight; he has yet to find a piso and wants to give his friend, Carmenchu, a break from his company.  Of course, I oblige.  Graeham and I walk in el Parque del Retiro and regret not bringing a camera when we see the sun set like a massive fried egg in the sky!  Not knowing I would have dinner guests, I had determined to cook calamari for the very first time.  When Andrew showed up earlier than I anticipated, I invited Graeham to stay as well - though I warned them, "Eat at your own risk."  We enjoyed the calamari alright, but the "tres sabores helado" (3 flavors ice cream) won hands down!  Possibly the Spanish neopolitan, it constituted French vanilla, chocolate, and cheesecake flavors!  Delicioso!  Por la noche (at night), we met friends in the Plaza Mayor but ended up partaking in un botellon (a group of young people drink and socialize in a public space) in Plaza de Chueca.  Andrew and I escorted Kristina home and called it a night.