I just woke up. It's very sunny. Amelia is in the shower. It's 5:00 at home, but nearly noon here. Of course, we didn't go to bed until after 2. The show was really fun and I like finding my way around in Spain, reading maps and asking questions in broken Spanish.

After it was over, Amelia had to stay at the theater and clean up and put things away. Ana was hired by the theater to hand wash the costumes and hang them to dry overnight. Amelia was helping and supervising, making sure everything is where they can find it. Of course, the costumes consist largely of what is euphemistically called "dance belts," sort of stylized underwear. Not having a lot of experience, I was highly amused that the costumes in this show consist almost entirely of a variety of underwear. When these performers leave stage, they put on their clothes, as opposed to most of the shows I've been in, where they get out of their costumes and put on their street clothes. Not to belittle their beautiful and skillful performances. As I told them, "it's okay, it's art." Before the show, I was introduced to almost all of the dancers, who were warming up in various stages of undress, doing exercises and stretches. Of course, they are mostly about the age of my children, and their bodies are very beautiful. It is pretty funny that Amelia, who was quite the most prudish person I know growing up (and still does not like me to see her undressed in our shared hotel room with a glass door on the bathroom) is working with a bunch of nearly-naked men and women. Of course, she is clothed, so she is almost comfortable.

I found a booklet that Amelia had about the Pilobolus tour in Spain, with directions to the theater by bus, car or subway. I took it with me so I would have the address and decided to take the bus, since I had plenty of time. To me, it is a great way to see a city that costs very little. The first bus stop I found was only for the number 11 and I needed the 5. I resigned myself to taking the subway instead. But there were some bus stops near there, including the 5. There were signs with the route maps and even an electric display stating that the number 5 would be here in 3 minutes. I was pleased and sat down to wait. The next thing I knew it was flying past me. Uh-oh, I guess it doesn't stop unless you are signaling that you want it. I went to my electronic sign--13 minutes until the next bus. That's okay, I can wait that long. This time, I stood up and watched and waved frantically. The buses are nice, with surprisingly comfortable seats. My stop was the last one, so I knitted and read and looked at the stores going past. Oh, not McDonald's! Burger King, Starbucks, KFC, H&M, Zara and lots of others.

I was walking around the Puerta del Sol at about 9:30 or 10 on a Saturday night. It was wall-to-wall people, most of them young. The women (some of them) were dressed to the nines (whatever that means) in short short poofy dresses, most of them black, and very high spiky heels. The men can get by with nice jeans and button up long-sleeve shirts--sounds like a double standard to me. There were many who were in what is to me more typical attire--baggy pants and loose shirts or t-shirts with slogans. I saw one AC/DC t-shirt. A lot of them were standing around talking, and many were smoking.

Some pictures from today:



Palacio Real - this has something like 2500 rooms, but they only use it for special occasions.

Shrimp, crabs...octopus!