Our Thursday afternoon activity was a visit to the Museum of Romanticism. It is a house that is furnished with the paintings, furniture, toys, everything pertaining to the Romantic Period of the late 18th and into the 19th century. They enjoy it alot because it is one of the few museums where they can take all the photos they want. And, at the end is a room with some interactive computers that they can play with. That always gets their attention.
Thursday night I took the boys out to try paella. Some liked it, some didn´t. We tried two kinds (there are many), one with chorizo and chichen and the other with seafood. It´s important to have fresh paella - not the kind that was made earlier (maybe yesterday) and has been sitting around awhile. We´ve also discovered Cien Montaditos - a place that has 100 different kinds of sandwiches - each for about €1.20. They are getting more adventuresome in their selections I´m happy to say. There used to be only one of these wonderful little shops in Madrid near Sol, but this year we have seen at least 5 scattered around the city (despite the ´crisis´) and there is even one just around the corner from International House.
Friday our after school activity was a movie,Pan´s Labyrinth about the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War. Then, the boys have gotten a soccer ball and enjoy going to the park to play. So while they tell me it is too hot to walk around and see things in the city, it isn´t too hot to go play soccer. Go figure.
O
n Saturday we met at school early to go to San Lorenzo del Escorial, a small town about 45 minutes outside Madrid by bus in the Guardarama Mountains. It is a monastery, basilica, school, library, palace, art gallery and the burial place of nearly all the kings and queens of Spain. Built in the 16th century by Felipe II, it is an imposing granite structure three times the size of Bernabeu football stadium in Madrid (which holds more than 70,000 people). We had lunch in a cafe and then were fortunate to get a guided tour. When we arrived at the Basilica part, there was a wedding on and the boys got photographs - I think they were pretending to be the press. They asked lots of questions about the Pantheon, which is one of the most fascinating places they will see. We can tell them all day about the succession of the Spanish monarchy, but to see all the kings and queens interred there in the actual succession of their respective reigns makes it all very real for them. And of course, they have never seen anything even remotely like the Pantheon. We don´t always get to go into it so this visit was quite special. No photos are allowed, so I cannot post any here. But Dan Sullivan got one - just before the guard threatened to take his camera away if he took any more photos! 
Due to the fact that the constant flash damages the frescoes and valuable artwork in most places in Spain and that people have ignored the "no flash" requirement, you are not allowed to take any photos in any of the great buildings or monuments any more. There are signs everywhere and the kids have noticed how many people actually ignore the signs and take photos with flash anyway!!!! So they have gotten very funny about walking around saying "No fotos aqui, No fotos aqui!" But they get it. On Saturday night, after returning from the Escorial, they decided they were going to the "Disco Lite". The dance clubs in Spain are open from 11:30 pm to aabout 4:30 am. However, on Saturday evening, from 5:30 to 10:30, they have disco lite - the clubs are open to younger people, ages 14 -17 and serve no alcohol. They are very strict about age requirements and the students must show their passports. So off they went and had a ball - even the nay sayers who had to be convinced to go are happy they went!
On Sunday morning, we met early and went to the Rastro, the famous outdoor market near metro La Latina. They got to buy some gifts for family and friends and just get a look at all the stuff available. Later we had a cafe con leche, I took them to the beautiful 14th century Church of Santiago and San Juan and then we went to Retiro Park to see the phenomenal gardens and the "pavoreales" (peacocks) that wander around the gardens.
The days have been very hot and so the boys decided that after having their main meal of the day at home, that they wanted to go swimming and so I gave them the rest of the day free.
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