I'll Make A Man Out of You- Mulan

We made our way into the city last night pretty late, got off the Metro at Banco de España and walked about a mile in the wrong direction. Turned around and walked back to find the Thyssen Museum. Waited in line to find the museum was closed, but there was a special exhibit open, some Antonio Lopez that we didnt know so we left. Heres where it gets good.

Rick Steves sucks, and no college age traveler should buy his books.

That being said, we were losing light and didnt know how to spend the time we had in Madrid. Rick Steves had said, let me quote this

Electric Minibus Joyride Through Lavapiés
''For a relaxing ride through the characteristic old center of Madrid, hop little electric minibuses #M1. These are designed mostly for local seniors who could use a lift (offer your seat if there's a senior standing). Enjoy this gritty slice of workaday Madrid both people and architecture....''

We finally find this bus. Iria eyebrows lift, she takes a fast breath and says 'No no no! This is for people with...problems.'
'Yes I know, its the old person mover, but its through the old town, lets just do it. The book says.'

So I shove Iria over to talk to the driver, book in hand. He confirms that this is that and looking skeptical, he allows us on. This was all wrong. It was just all wrong. The thing had 8 seats including the area for the wheelchair. We sat on the old person mover alone and waiting until an old lady got on...and then a nun, and she sat next to Dani. Then we rumbled into motion. Í'll give it to Steves, it was an okay trip...but we were NOT supposed to be on that bus. It was about 10 feet long, four seats across the back filled by myself, Iria, Daní, and the nun. People looked at us. Íria says to me quietly, 'I feel bad, like this is for people...we are young and we can walk.' At this time, Daní not having heard her looks at us, shoulders pulled forward and back hunched trying to be as small as possible next to this sweet old woman and says 'I feel very strange.'

So I agreed that since the bus was already full, if someone else got on, we would get off. We ended up riding to the end. Caught the Metro to Retiro Park (Central Park of Madrid). So we walked some more, bought caramel corn and listened to a trumpet play 'Summertime' possibly the best song ever.

But 'Summertime' is NOT todays post title. Why you may ask? Because yesterday Daní became a man.

By this time it was dark. We were cold and hungry and didnt know where the nearest Metro was. We start looking for dinner, and just as we decide its too late for Madrileños to eat out (10p) we see a sushi place. Daní is very picky, there are a number of things he doesnt like, and refuses to try including avocado. We make a deal, we all go into the su shi place and if he doesnt like it, he goes to McDonalds.

The first hurdle was the chopsticks. This took a while, and admitedly we've all been there and its tough. Long story short, Daní liked everything he ate (we called his mother) and it was the best su shi I've ever had. Tobiko? Never had those and we didnt know what they were. They're fish eggs, they pop and crunch when you bite them, best ever.

On the way to the Metro, we saw people with ice cream and a Vips.

They said 'You've never been to VIPS?! Its American!'
'No, I promise its not, I've never heard of it.' But it kinda was...burgers, fries, ice cream, the usual. We crossed the street to the Metro and saw a cool little gelato place where all the locals were. Dang. Oh well, I know what Vips is now.

Today, I take the city and Prado alone. Íria has friends coming in for the Blackeyed Peas concert tonight and Daní has already been there done that.

PS-Steves also sent us to a touristy gelato place the other day. It was in fact really really good gelato and worth it but the only other people in their were Americans. Note: In my opinion, when in Rome, get the Pistachio. When in Madrid, get the Leche Merengada (lemon cinnamon) OR the Dulce de Leche (carmelized milk) both were unbelieveable.