My day started early with a 6:45am call from Melissa. Her son was born after 12+ hours of labor! Mom and baby are exhausted, but happy and healthy.

Today I took a walking tour of Madrid with the fabulous Suffolk guide, Angel. More funny stories and spitting remarks about ETA, the monarchy, capitalists and the his beloved Seville. Oh what fun! My feet are burning, but what a gorgeous day: 85F and breezy. If June stays like this, well I'm in heaven! Not much to report but lots of pictures.

One embarrassing story: Yesterday I bragged that perhaps my Spanish was improving. Well today at lunch I didn't understand the non-English speaking waitress correctly when she told me the price for lunch. I left about 7 euro too little. She ran after me down the block shouting "senorita, senorita" to which I did not respond. When she finally did catch up to me, I felt like a criminal! I turned red and tried to say sorry, but in my fluster could only remember how to say it in French. Imagine me fishing for my wallet as I chant "je suis desole, je suis desole!" Oh my, not my proudest moment. On to the pictures:

Angel, our guide.

The Captial City Post Office. When the building was completed, the locals said it was as beautiful as a cathedral and so it was nick-named "Our Lady of the Mail".

According to the Guinness Book of Records, this is the oldest still-operating restaurant in the world (1725)!

Very expensive housing on the Opera House Plaza.

A pretty street in Madrid. Most of the city has wide roads. This area near the Placio Real is the only "European-looking" area with small, winding streets.

The symbol of Madrid! Bear and Madrono tree.