First day of classes yesterday! After all the trepidation about the test and leveling, they all survived! Cell phones have been obtained, and so they are all back to their usual tricks of calling each other around the corner. Oh well, they´ll learn soon.

After classes and lunch, our afternoon activity was to go rowing on the "estanque" in el Parque Retiro. We were accompanied by a young German who, after 45 minutes of rowing around the little lake, took us walking around the large city park as well. Retiro was originally a park for the relaxation and enjoyment of the royal family, but it was ceded to the city of Madrid so that all the citizens might enjoy its fountains, paths, shade trees, gardens and various lakes. It is a huge park in the center of the city, not unlike Central Park. People rollerblade, ride bikes, run, stroll and just relax under she trees. On weekends it is filled with puppet shows, mimes, music and is a great place for people watching.

The crystal palace, is constructed entirely of glass and azulejo tiles, the typical painted tiles of Spain. It overlooks a fountain, waterfall and small pond filled with goldfish, turtles, ducks and geese. It provides at least a little visual respite from the intense heat of the afternoon.

Following our afternoon outing, I sent the boys home for a rest and dinner and we met at 10 pm in front of the Opera House to take a little evening walking tour of the city after dark. The buildings and statues are illuminated and the white marble and granite are in beautiful contrast to the dark skies. We visited the Royal Palace and the Cathedral de la Almudena where we paused for a little history lesson - the nice thing about walking around in Madrid is that they are always anxious to sit down somewhere so I get a captive audience when I want to tell them stories about what they are seeing! There is a method to my madness!

We then walked up the Calle Mayor through the old city to the Plaza Mayor. After the heat of the day, it was really a pleasure to be out in the relative coolness of the evening and they boys are beginning to understand why Madrileños come out at night! We continued on to the literary section of the city - locales frequented by Cervantes, Miquel de Unamuno and Ernest Hemingway. Then on down through the main street, the Gran Vía to the Plaza de Cibeles and the post office.
Since the metro is underground in all parts of the city it is not unusual to walk over air vents from the subway below. Usually they are a quick blast of cool, conditioned air on the hot street and I am so used to them that I take no notice! Unfortunately last night, I wandered over one while wearing a rather full skirt and had a Marilyn Monroe moment as the blast of air came up out of the metro! What a surprise! Fortunately, the boys were so busy in their respective conversations that they did not notice and I was quickly able to gather my skirt. I must remember to be more careful!

After about an hour and a half of evening sightseeing, I was tired (they were probably getting their second wind!) and I sent them home! I am happy to report, that all were bright eyed and on time for classes this morning. There is a full week of events planned - a mixture of culture and fun (don´t tell them, but they´ll be learning during the fun stuff as well!) Today, swimming in a community pool, tomorrow, flamenco dancing, Thursday the Thyssen Museum and on the weekend, Saturday the Escorial/Valle de los Caídos and on Sunday I shall take them to Toledo. ¡Nos vemos!