Hola everyone! I´m in Spain FINALLY!!!!!! Right now I´m checking my email in Alcala de Henares. Guess what, yesterday I went to the Reina Sofia (it was closed ... ) but what a pleasant surprise to find myself face to face with that famous Madridman hangout, El Brillante! So Madridman, I felt it was a personal obligation to have a cañita in your honor! Tomorrow I will try a bocata de calamares.

Sending everyone a big warm abrazo from España.

Churrito

(If anyone still wants to hang out, I´ll be here until the 26th, please email sobewriter@hotmail.com)

Churrrrrrrito!!! What are you doing in Alcalá de Henares?? I'm SO happy to know that you entered the famed and favorite El Brillante. Did you sit on the terraza or stand at the bar inside? Ahhh yes.. Seems it was only yesterday when I met you there over last Christmas season for the big MadridMan get together.

Is the Reina Sofía close for their renovations or was it just closed yesterday? I thought it was closed on Mondays not Tuesdays.

Have a GREAT time in/around Madrid! I'm sure you will.

Saludos, MadridMan

Churrito, guess what? Yesterday I went to the Reina Sofía and it wasn't really closed. It was only opened for a special free guided visit for selected guests like me :p So, I visited it with other 24 people.

It's always very interesting to have someone explaining you everything, specially when it comes to modern art.

By the way, there are guided visits all year round on Mondays and Wednesdays at 17:00 and on Saturdays at 11:00am.

Hola Churrito,
Que felicidad! I can't wait to hear all about your trip, maybe we can have a MadrdidMan party in December with the other Miami & South Florida members.

How hot is it over there? Not that it truly matters, because when you'e in Madrid you're in heaven!

Que tengas un buen viaje,
Carmen

Hi everyone, checking my email from Calle de Alcala!

Well Antonio, you are treated like royalty! Seriously, it seems like the Reina Sofia is currently closed on Tuesdays. Antonio, I am going to call Hostal Chelo as I am considering transfering from Villanueva de la Torre to Madrid. That cercanias train is great but the commute eats up half my day!

Yesterday I had a bocata de calamares before visiting the museum. How can such a simple sandwich be so delicious? Definitely stick to your ribs. BTW, Madridman, I´ve never been to one of your reunions, so we have never met in person, although I hope to have the pleasure someday.)

Booklady, it is pretty hot, but since I come from humid and sweltering Miami Beach, it aint that bad. Dry heat is so much better ... you don´t feel like a wet rag by the end of the day. And besides, there are all those great places to hide in during prime heat hours, eating a big meal and drinking tinto de verano. (Today was Cafe de Gijon en Recoletos.)

Madrid is wonderful! It´s a bit lonely traveling by myself, but heck, how dare I complain?

Abrazos

Churrito

hi everyone!

Sorry to be brief, but I´ve got 3 minutes ... can anyone tell me if Andres and the walks of Spain folks are doing tapas walks in August?

thank you ... please post here or reply to sobewriter@hotmail.com

un abrazo from Madrid

Maria

I just got a confirmation from Andre that he is putting together a tour on August 31, 2002. It sounds like a lot of fun. His web site is www.walksofspain.com . I am leaving for Europe tomorrow! Just alittle excited. See you there.

It is a lot of fun, going out with Andrés - you should ask him to teach you how to dance merengue (if you don’t know it already) Tell him that one of his former students have recommended him

Hilde

Thanks! I haven´t heard from Andres yet but last night I did get to enjoy some tapas and vino at La Chata with a friend. I was walking back to Plaza Mayor and heard a beautiful thing ... a spontaneous burst of improvised flamenco coming out of a lit balcony ... ah!

Churrito

I have met other tour mates through one of Andres' tours, he is putting together on August 31, 2002. I haven't even gone yet. :p How much fun is that! It is so hard to work today, but this time tomorrow .....