Madrid

We're in the capital city of Madrid now for a short time. It's very sunny, dry and HOT here. It felt like walking around in a sauna all day. We started out the day with some coffee at a nice place called Café y Té and then headed to the Plaza de Espana, the Palacio Real & La Catedral de la Almudena and museum, which is directly across from the Royal Palace. The cathedral was surprising VERY new. Some rooms were just added in 2005. We also ate a typical Spanish menú del día for lunch. Mike ordered the salmon and ceasar salad and I ordered the steak and gazpacho soup. I also had some flan for dessert. Mike of course chose the helado (ice cream)! Then we headed to the Plaza Mayor and passed by the Puerta del Sol on our way back to the hotel. Lots of places to visit in Madrid, but not very relaxing...much like NYC. Tomorrow we're going to go to the Parque del Buen Retiro and then we leave at two on a high-speed train to Seville! So exciting!