Me Fui Hasta Madrid...

Immediately after landing in Sevilla, Alex and I hopped a bus (7 hours through the countryside and one Madrid rush hour) and arrived in downtown Madrid. From there we took the Metro to Gran Via which is the main street in Madrid and semi-successfully found Hostel Miralva after lugging all our bags and football gear for about ten minutes in the wrong direction. Madrid is bustling at night - people were all dressed in costume for Carnival (which continued for the whole weekend, but we didn't figure it out until late Saturday night..) and people heading out for dinner before getting their night started. We went to Don Jamon like a couple of tourists for a Tortilla Espanola (which is essesntially an omelette with potato in it that you cut up and put on bread with olive oil and tomato); and then to a Botellon with Xavi and his cousin (also named Alex) which is the "pre-party" of Spain where groups of young people gather on the side streets to chat and drink cervezas and decide what Discoteca they are going to go to for the night.




The next morning we ate Cafe and Pastries at Pan and then decided to get lost in the general direction of the Palacio Real. We first ended up in Plaza Mayor and got to see an impromptu flamenco performance which was amazing. Only in Spain can you find street performers who are talented flamenco artists or opera singers (as was the case on another street). After we kept walking we found the Italian Embassy which was having a free show on Missoni. After the embassy we wandered over to the Cathedral and Palacia Real which is ENOURMOUS. Across from the Palace we had $1 tapas and vino and talked to an American family who just moved to Spain and was totally at a loss for language.

Sunday was Alex's game against the Coslada Camionero's. Alex scored 4 touchdowns (WOOOHOO!!!!) and the Linces won their first game 30-12!!!!! Alex even had a punt return for a touchdown!

TO BE CONTINUED>>>> We have to go catch our flight to London!!