El Rastro

Madrid, Spain – September 13, 2009

Today was our very first trip within the country of Spain. We went with several people to El Rastro. That is a huge open-air market in the heart of Madrid. It was packed with people. We had to be constantly aware of pickpockets. We did not get victimized, that may be because we were so aware.

A portion of my daily walk to the embassy on Paseo de la Castellana.

Apartments above a small portion of the Rastro.

El Rastro – This goes many blocks down the hill.

Leslie bought a small coin purse for 2€ (US$2.48) and a small leather purse for 10€ (US$12.40). Hillary bought a pair of pants and some earrings.

After we had walked through some of El Rastro, we stopped for lunch. One of the people we were with bought us some bocadillos. They are a small sandwich on a small roll. It was very tasty chased with a beer.

Hillary and Les…In two weeks the drinks will be reversed!

We left that restaurant and walked into the Plaza Mayor. It was a unique feeling to be standing in a place I had heard and read so much about. From there we walked to the Puerta del Sol. It is the center of Spain. All of the roads emanate from there and are measured from there.