Day 77, Madrid, Spain

Flamenco 

Another lovely day in Madrid, no earth shattering experiences, but thoroughly enjoyed the bike rides. I had looked up a couple of routes to take, one along the river and another through a huge park, not unlike New York Central Park apparently.

Entire outside wall of restaurant
covered in tiles, very different!

Lunch in the shade, another hot day today, back uphill into town, the Royal Palace Garden. The street art here is great, musicians, performers, 'statues'. Guy singing reggae, he was doing well with his hat full, good for him.

Reggae man

Anyway, quiet day, but tonight I'm going out to a Flamenco show! Very much look forward to that, doesn't start till 10.30.

So, sitting here waiting for the start of the show. Have somehow managed to get a seat quite close to the stage, it's a very small and intimate theater, only seats 120 or so I think, but there's only about 60 here.

First the musicians, 5 guys, guitars and great voices, songs you don't understand the words but feel the passion. The dancer is beyond description, so much fire in the dance, her face stern and her feet strong and unbelievably fast. She makes music just by using her feet and clicking her fingers so loudly. Very difficult to describe but that was just beautiful, absolutely beautiful.Oh, and they really do call out 'Ole' at random times, audience and performers.

Royal Palace Gardens