Oh, wow. This place looks great. Oh, I feel like a witch in a magic shop.

Willow ,'Help'


Natter 70: Hookers and Blow  

Off-topic discussion. Wanna talk about corsets, duct tape, or physics? This is the place. Detailed discussion of any current-season TV must be whitefonted.


Jesse - Apr 28, 2012 12:09:40 pm PDT #2770 of 30001
Sometimes I trip on how happy we could be.

And now I remember my chilaquiles plan for my leftover tostadas!


Liese S. - Apr 28, 2012 1:06:24 pm PDT #2771 of 30001
"Faded like the lilac, he thought."

I'm getting excited for vw's wedding. I hope the stream works for me on my connection. I thought about driving into town for a faster connection, but it seemed weird to attend her wedding at a coffee shop, heh!


Jesse - Apr 28, 2012 1:16:04 pm PDT #2772 of 30001
Sometimes I trip on how happy we could be.

Super excited for vw! I actually know two people getting married today, which feels like a good omen.


sarameg - Apr 28, 2012 1:16:32 pm PDT #2773 of 30001

Oh, also, I totally passed on sarameg's Madrid rec to someone else who is there right now. What's up with that?

Which was that? La Garnacha? Mmm, I miss that neighborhood. Seriously, I have no idea where to get coffee over here at 6:30 am! Eh, maybe my morning walk will land me back there.

Powernapped and went out at 9:30. Got grilled mushroomcaps with chorizo, olive oil, assorted spices (and bread, of course, to sop up the juice) at Meson de Champignon, of course, at the bar with the same verdujo that was the favorite in Segovia, which was also the grill. Then found a place where I could get vaca solomillo (my now favorite cut/raised. I may never eat any other kind again. Seriously, that tender I am spoiled) and crianza rioja. And then the Mercado where I had cava and a pistachio...I dunno. Like baklava, maybe, but not really? It was perfectly not-too-sweet.

All these places were crazy crowded, which normally, I avoid. But hey, pushing my limits here! Pushed myself to the fore and ate crammed between too many for that space at the bar. Hell, at the Mercado, I'd been shepherding in those too timid.

Observations: the police presence is...present. More noticeable than even my beleaguered Baltimore. It might be the Legoland/Playmobile colors, it might just be because their tendency to bursting into a pedestrian area at random with the wah-wah-wah. Of course, I was reminded today of the Atocha bombings, as that's the station I had to buy tickets at, and will be leaving from tomorrow morning. The security presence is visible. And yet no security theater, whaddya know?

When they came into the plaza this evening (I was watching various street performers) I also noted the quick exit (as in flat out running) of many street hawkers with their tarps rigged to gather their goods up quickly. And then there was the contrast of the tourist crowds that teem in Plaza Mayor during the day, and the homeless carefully constructing their cardboard shelters beneath the covered walkways come 11 pm.

OK, gonna try to sleep. I'll wake up no matter what, but this place's doors have no sound insulating qualities, so I hear everyone who goes down the hall. And their echos.


Jesse - Apr 28, 2012 1:18:48 pm PDT #2774 of 30001
Sometimes I trip on how happy we could be.

Which was that? La Garnacha?

Yes, that one.


Liese S. - Apr 28, 2012 1:24:07 pm PDT #2775 of 30001
"Faded like the lilac, he thought."

I've got the feed, but it's sideways!


askye - Apr 28, 2012 1:25:00 pm PDT #2776 of 30001
Thrive to spite them

I'm hoping someone just has the camera down and it's going to be picked up when things start.


Liese S. - Apr 28, 2012 1:26:10 pm PDT #2777 of 30001
"Faded like the lilac, he thought."

Hee, being fixed.


Liese S. - Apr 28, 2012 1:28:34 pm PDT #2778 of 30001
"Faded like the lilac, he thought."

There's the photographer...I feel like she should be able to take our pictures!


Theodosia - Apr 28, 2012 1:29:03 pm PDT #2779 of 30001
'we all walk this earth feeling we are frauds. The trick is to be grateful and hope the caper doesn't end any time soon"

Heh. I've got it open, too.