Impressions of Madrid, Spain
On Sunday, a lot of the tourist sights close early and some shops are not open at all. And Monday too, lots of businesses are not open.
The people are very nice. Traffic is surprising civilized. Not like Paris or Rome at all, drivers don’t honk their horns, they actually stop at pedestrian crossing areas but is not a traffic light area. I don’t have to fear for my life crossing the street like in other parts of the world, like in Thailand or Beijing. Drivers seem fairly competent compared to other cities.
It’s easy to get some cheap breakfast. Just some coffee, espresso, pastries, and spanish ham sandwich (similar to prosciutto) are easy to get anywhere.
Went to the oldest restaurant in the world, the Sobrino de Botin .
Ordered the baby squid with squid ink see picture. It looked totally nasty, but was incredibly delicious. Restaurant is very touristy but food was good. Also had garlic soup with egg. That was a little different. Had some stereotypical people come in the restaurant like this asian guy who came in the restaurant and immediately took a video of the restaurant, a bunch of New York women arguing very loudly about some trivial issue, and the quietest group in the whole restaurant was my group - the quiet well mannered Canadians. 
Botin Restaurant, Madrid, Spain
Calle Cuchilleros, 17
Madrid
Tel. 913664217
Metro: La Latina