Last Days in Madrid - 2

Part Two...


OK, so this is being told a little out of order because I went to Retiro Park before I went to the Prado but I know that everyone wanted to know what I thought of the Prado so I did that entry first. However, I have a interesting experience to relate about my visit to Retiro Park...First of all Retiro is an amazing place. It's HUGE (1.4 km²)and goes on forever. There is a lake and it´s full of giant goldfish or koi and you can rent rowboats etc. There are tons of open areas, benches, kiosks for food & drink, restaurants, fountains everywhere and hidden buildings that you just stumble upon. I actually got to see the infamous Crystal Palace except it's in a bit of disrepair right now (and was full of logs!), however it did appear as though they were redoing an entire section of the park so perhaps that is why. I could have spent an entire day there and it is on my list for my return visit (whenever that is). On to the story: I had only been in Retiro for a few minutes when this old spanish lady w/ 4 gold teeth comes up to me brandishing a large sprig of rosemary and talking (in spanish) about it being good for luck. She wasn't very tall (maybe 5 feet) and had such a sweet smile. Of course I know this to be a scam so I ask her how much and she tells me the appropriately outrageous price of 5€ and I of course refuse. Then she starts telling me (still in rapid-fire spanish) about how many children (or maybe just mouths) that she has to feed and how it's such good luck etc, etc...finally she brings the price down to the only slightly less outrageous price of 1€ and because I'm quite enjoying the whole performance I hand it over. Of course that means that I'm a soft touch and now she wants to read my palm and tell me my future. I'm doing my level best to graciously decline and she's going on about how lucky and happy my future will be w/ the addition (of course) of the `muy guapo` love coming into my life (all w/out looking at my palm) - I finally extricated myself and wished her luck. I still have the rosemary though...