"give us this day, our daily rabbit."

So i just got back from the soup kitchen again. If this is your only way of hearing about my trip so far, you'd probably think i live there. i don't. i've been there twice in a month and it's not part of my daily routine. i do enjoy going though. it's refreshing to be around such happy (and ornery) old people serving the hungry and the poor. i say ornery only because once i got there today (alone this time, without amigos), an elderly man told me to stack 3 boxes of chips "vente aquí" (get over here) "colocarlos bien" (stack them well). yeah well that took about 3 seconds...thanks man.
I peeled garlic with a guy named Marcos. He's an 18 year old, pure-blooded madrileño (from madrid) in semenario (catholic seminary?). It was hilarious to hear his view of the United States. Marcos: "Where are you from?" Me: "Texas." Marcos: "When you think of Spain, you think of bullfights and Toledo, right?" Me: "Si." Marcos: "Well when people here think of the United States, they think of cowboys. Are you a cowboy?" Me: "No."
I guess I was wearing plaid...

Another thing that struck me today was the manifestation of Jesus' sample prayer ("our father"...) We all prayed it together (they also prayed something to mother mary. i hung out in the background for that one). "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day, our daily bread..." A hundred people can say that every day, Jesus gives them a meal (i'm not pointing at myself here. plus, i shaved before the trip so the so-called "Jesus-beard" is no longer seen with that plaid shirt.) If ever another person becomes homeless (hopefully not!), they will know who to get food from.

I walked home from the soup kitchen (about 35 minutes) through some of the more busy and beautiful streets of Madrid. Google 'em if you want: Calle del Sol, Puerta del Sol, Calle Gran Vía, Plaza de España). There, your ears will never be lacking the sound of street musicians playing odd instruments--ones i can't even name--, political lobbyists yelling messages to the masses, and homeless people begging for change. The streets have a distinctly european feel to them. Maybe it's the fact that a mini cooper could beat the h-e-double-hockey-sticks out of any other of the cars on the road. Maybe it's the rounded architecture of the buildings. I don't know. But i do know i'm enjoying it and if you ever get the chance, you should come check things out!

And finally, to end this lengthy post, I'd like to admit something. I ate rabbit for dinner tonight. Yeah, that's right. The cute little furry animal that frolics around places in search of tasty carrots. Maybe my vision's better now? Honestly though, it was brutal. I never know what I'm eating here. My señora (host-family) always tells me what I'm eating AS I'm eating it. Trout with ham was pretty obvious, as I was handed a plate with a fish on it (yum!).
But this rabbit thing was a new one. I was 1/2 way through and not particularly enjoying it, whatever it was. She walked by and said, "Es conejo con salsa." My heart sank. I was like Holyfield half-way through the Tyson fight. Stunned. I think my vision got a little blurry. Sorry for all the boxing references, but I felt like Rocky (when he reaches the top of the hill to "Eye of the Tiger") after training when I finished it. If you come to Europe, I don't recommend Spain's local dish (rabbit) any more than i recommend trout with ham or peanut butter with bouncy balls. I guess rabbit's very lean and almost entirely fat free though, so on the other hand...bon apetit y buen provecho.

Peace!
Griff.