Day 5 - Don't Think, Just Buy AGAIN!

Hey gang!
I hope you haven't been too worried about my absence in the last few days... weeks... but I've been so busy with my new job, and various trips out, and just fun (ish) stuff like that. But panic not, I'm back now! So, in a last-ditch attempt to finish the current diary before I go off on my next adventure, AND have time to recap what else has been going on in my absence, here is Day 5 of my Madrid diary.

Today I managed to wake up earlier than the alarm, so I spent my extra time updating the diary, which was looking quite neglected and about two days behind (see, nothing changes!). Having made good progress, I got ready and met up with the others, as usual, Maddy and Emily were about five minutes out of sync with the rest of us, but eventually we got downstairs and had breakfast just outside. The menu was slightly different here, so I went for a toasted croissant (again, for lack of anything more Spanish!) and some orange juice.
No-one had to work today, as it was Sunday, so we all decided to hit the Rastro market. Unfortunately, the downside of being the only guy is that you have to (generally) do what the girls want to do, which I was mostly happy with, but we did pass a couple of interesting music stalls which I didn't get much chance to check out. However, I did get the chance to buy an interesting diary and a birthday present for Mum. The crowds proved to be too much for the girls, and I must admit even I was having a hard time negotiating the warren of stalls. At least in the Souk it was all organised into distinct corridors and passageways. As a result, we retreated to the safety of a nearby cafe, where we later met up with the teachers and one of Miss Tingle's friends from her Uni year abroad (I think). I didn't get much chance to talk to him myself, but it was good just to meet some more Spanish people.
Once he had left, we returned briefly to the Hostal to collect some extra gear, before heading out for lunch. The others, sticking with what they knew, grabbed a sandwich at Pan's, which is fair enough, but Miss Tingle and I, not content to eat at the same place twice, went across the road to the Museo de Jamon - not, in fact, a museum but a chain of shops selling absolutely every kind of ham imaginable! We were pushed for time so didn't have a proper look around, but we grabbed some cheese and ham sandwiches for the brilliant price of just one euro each! These we took away and ate on a random doorstep somewhere, before meeting back up with the others.
We next took a slightly less savory part of the Metro to an outdoor leisure centre where we had a chance to chill out... although perhaps that's not the right word, as even in the shade it was boiling! I didn't have my swimming kit with me, so I used the time to update the diary whilst Vanessa fell asleep sunbathing and the others played in the pool. This kept me occupied for the majority of our time there, although I did have to involve myself eventually in the Spanish revision that was (slowly) being done by the others.
The time whiled away and eventually we made our way back to the hostel. The others were going out shopping, but I decided it would be better for everyone if I stayed in. There are few things that make me feel uncomfortable, but going into posh girls' clothes shops like Zara is one of them. Instead, I began to sort my suitcase out and people-watched until it was time for dinner. One particular trumpeter did a round of the square; he was probably my favourite busker of the trip.
For dinner we headed out to a fairly posh restaurant specialising in Paella, and we also got a jug of Sangria to go with the meal. The paella was the usual mix of unusual flavours and quite filling rice. We managed to convince Vanessa to try her first mussel, while I enjoyed the new experience of crayfish. The conversation was great, everyone having a lot to say. Towards the end of the evening, a week's worth of late nights began to catch up with us and everyone (except for Vanessa, who was buzzing after her nap earlier!) felt exhausted!
Once we had paid la cuenta, we took a circuitous route back to see some of Madrid at night. We also passed a shrimp restaurant, whose popularity was shown by the number of reciepts on the floor - there were a lot, believe me! We also saw someone dancing the flamenco, but we were too tired to stop and watch. Instead, we plodded on to the Hostal, and (most of us!) made our way as quickly as possible to bed.

Phew, that was a busy day. TOMORROW is the end of the trip, but don't think it'll be any less action-packed! More work, more food and the trip home on the (not so) EasyJet! PLUS, will I ever make my mind up about what to buy from the Fnac?? Tune in to find out!

Jack