We spent most of the night wide awake, staring at the ceiling, reading, checking Facebook, anything to try and send ourselves to sleep. It didn't really work. Our 7:30 wake-up time slipped back to 8:30 when we were still up at 6, and to 10:30 when we were still up 30 minutes later. We both got up but Zarah, feeling a little under the weather, returned to bed until 2:30. I amused myself in the interim by doing much the same things as I had done the night before, this time trying to stave off sleep rather than succumb to it.
Anyway, just after 3 both of us were awake enough to brave the outside world. Desperate for food, we staggered through rain-soaked streets in search of a cafeteria whose proprietors were not enjoying a siesta. Eventually, McDonald's proved to be our only safe port. Shameful, I know. But given the options I don't regret it. By the way, whoever wrote here that Spaniards haven't warmed to fast food didn't visit the same place I did. The place was literally packed. I had to circle like a hawk for a table (in a two-level restaurant), fighting off others for the right to sit down. I was tenacious and strong, and met with success within 10 or 15 minutes.
Not wanting to waste any more time, Zarah suggested we head out to the Royal Palace. A fine suggestion, except for the sporadic winds, incredible downpour and the fact that I wasn't wearing boots (for some reason, many of the Royal Palace's grounds utilise dirt roads).
It didn't make for the greatest time, even after we purchased umbrellas from a street vendor. But the palace was nice, the gardens were pretty and we walked afterwards to some pretty good vantage points over the city before turning back.
Zarah took plenty of photos along the way, including one of this interesting-looking man:
Zarah also tried to get a picture with two Spanish police officers, which turned into a thoroughly confusing debacle. In the end, no-one knew who wanted pictures of what or who Zarah was proposing would take these pictures. After a couple of minutes discussing the situation with the cops and an EMT, each side speaking a different language, she gave up and we headed back.
We went back out in the evening, heading one stop up the Metro to Puerto del Sol in search of Tapas. We were eventually successful, sitting down in Kaixo Taberna and enjoying Spanish ham, tempura meatball and an egg/sausage mix along with mojitos and beer. It was very filling, very good and very cheap.
And now we're back here! Another unproductive day in Spain. But I have high hopes for tomorrow.
(Zarah: I disagree. Any day that involves sleep, food and cultural sights is a success in my books. Whether it rained or not.)
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