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Just back from almost ordering in Spanish again. I consider it a moral victory! I hopped the Metro (which I am growing to really enjoy) and visited Bar la Campana after a short walk through a neighborhood with understated architecture that is truly beautiful.
I actually stood in line for 15 minutes or so, and got a moderately bad table for two. Took me a while to realize I had to order at the bar, but the bartender was ok about it and actually listened to my Spanish. They serve the big beers (thing looked like a liter of beer!) in a really flimsy plastic cup if you are a guy that looks like he is capable of breaking stuff. All the women got glass glasses, not that I am complaining, mind you, just observing.
Anyway, he gave me a call after I had quaffed a good bit of my Cerveza Mahau and I realized two bocadillo is a lot of food. I got calamares and morcilla, had to ask for lemon and garlic mayo but both were useful. Very good sandwiches but I thought they were going to be smaller. Using the flimsy plastic cup seemed to get much easier as I drank more beer. Odd that. Had to be the reduction in static pressure on a relatively weak structure. Yep. That is it. And if my knowledge of Spanish is limited, my education in engineering is truly abysmal.
Earlier I had gone back to Viandos for that Hornazo that looked so good, and it tasted better. Gonzalo was the man in charge of the place and he was a good sort. He was approximately the 20th Spaniard who told me his English was very bad, even though it is much, much better than my Spanish. But the nice thing is that everyone who says their English is bad was cool about letting me try to speak Spanish.
As I left Viandos I saw a beautiful Catholic church with a jaw dropping spire, right next to a petrol station. Back in Arlington we had a church we all called Our Lady of Exxon, so I took a photo of Nuestra Senora de Shell.
Maribel had noted the owner of Cerveceria el Santo so I went by for a beer but he was closed for the holiday.
Then it was home to see the setting sun painting the building to the west of my room. Peter, I bet the Tower Suite is amazing! I like my simple little room but to be up higher and have the balconies? That would be sweet!
Erica, Maribel gave really good info about the Prado tours, all I can add is that I really enjoyed the tour a great deal. My tour started at 11am and if they have a tour when the museum opens at 10am, (or possibly between 1 and 3pm?) it might be a bit less crowded. But I am not sure of that last bit.
I take a good many tours and some times the guide kind of phones it in. Esther really loved the subject and enjoyed getting questions from the 12 of us. And having a smaller group helped a lot too. But boy was the place crowded!
I check out at 8am tomorrow, my flight is around 11. I love Spain but I have to admit that I am ready to sleep in my own bed and see how “my” deer are doing. A doe was about to have her fawns before I left and I hope they are doing well. And I hope my neighborhood woodpecker has not pecked a hole in my roof’s soffit, again. LOL!
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Great report, loved reading about your adventures and ordering in Spanish!
Please post a photo of your deer and fawns when you return. Safe Travels!
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I love that church! I’ve never gone to mass there but admire it every time I walk by.
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It was truly spectacular, and a once in a lifetime, belated 60th birthday treat. As long as you have any kind of view, all the rooms there are great 
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@ZivBnd
Thanks so much for the photos! I’ll remember next time I walk by that church (as in next Tues). It’s “Nuestra Señora de Shell”. 
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Ziv, once again want to let you know how much I enjoyed reading this report; your descriptions of your adventures in conversation–all with such a sense of humor–made my days cheerier! I looked up some of your posts on HO forums; your comments on food traveling while on a weight-loss/health medication is personal for me. (I gained six pounds during my most recent three-week visit to Andalucia!!).
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I am glad you enjoy them! The weight loss/health issues have loomed large for me since 2020. I think a lot of us are trying to find a healthy happy path.
I really enjoy reading about food and travel and HO seems to have a lot of members who share those enthusiasms!
But i am kind of dreading my first step onto my scale at home tomorrow morning. 
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I lost 8+ lbs on my recent trip to CDMX thanks to lots of walking and good ol Dr Montezuma’ s guaranteed weight loss program 
(not recommended by actual doctors)
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Ah…
Doctor Montezuma has helped me lose a few pounds a time or two.
There was this time in Nepal that…
Never mind.
LOL.
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And I have to thank Peter, also, because I’m now thinking about a week in Mexico City for late fall…
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Dooo itttt! It’s amazing! 
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Mexico City is amazing!
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