Madrid August 15, 2011

Today was the feast of the Assumption of Mary. Our group went to mass right across the street from our hotel. The mass was all in Spanish, but still very nice. We walked around the town and explored a bit, especially Plaza Mayor. My group of people decided on McDonalds for a late lunch. After that, we did a bit of shopping, but not much because this is not only a holy day in Spain, but also a holiday and most shops and services are closed as well. We then went in search of the Cathedral in Madrid. The cathedral wasn't too far from Plaza Mayor. We took a look inside and then asked where the bathroom was. The information person told us to go out and down the alley. We did, and there was a big banner over the door welcoming pilgrims. It was quite nice inside. They had snacks and bottled water for sale. When we got to the WC, there was a very nice attendant who charged us .20 euro to go in. My guess for the charge is so that the cathedral won't go broke with providing all that TP. They did have free wifi also. We needed to meet up with the rest of the group to go back to the hotel, so I was unable to take advantage. After meeting back up at the hotel, we all went out again, then split into 2 groups. The larger group with the guitars wanted to go serenade Madrid, the rest of us went for a nice low key dinner in a place that had free wifi. It's a hot commodity and saves us a lot of money when we want to use our phones to post. Later more experience with the Locutorio for those who needed to call home. Below are photos of the Plaza, the cathedral, the wall in the hospitality room where we could write something (Amanda called it "shameless promotion ") and the new lyrics to the Katy Perry song "California Gurls " written by Amanda, Stephanie, Margaret and Claudia called "Roman Catholic Girls ". I'm sure Mary will post more on the evening activities with her group later.

The military cathedral in Madrid.


Checking out the cathedral.


A banner on the front-Blessed John Paul II, pray
for us!


Cooling off in Plaza Mayor.


Plaza Mayor


Plaza Mayor


Original composition by Amanda, Stephanie, Margaret
and Claudia-Roman Catholic Girls (to the tune of
California Gurls by Katy Perry).


A wall we could write on in the basement of the
military basilica-Amanda said it was "shameless
promotion".


Plaza Mayor


Inside the military basilica.