It rained during our visit to the Square - the first rain we'd seen in a couple months. Afterwards, the clouds started to clear and a rainbow appeared. In less than 30 minutes, the sky turned brilliant blue filled with cottony clouds.

Wandering through the street, you just never know what you'll find - like the Museo de Jamon (the Museum of Ham). Actually a deli instead of a museum, it seemed the perfect place for a photo of an actor. Inside, the place was truly impressive - thousands of hams from every region of Spain lined the walls. Cured rather than cooked, the hams of Spain are spectacular!

Madrid also gave us the opportunity to shop for some great Spanish costuming, including these colorful, ornately embroidered wool skirts. The store also had magnificent gaucho clothing, including short wool jackets and leather chaps with layers of cutwork leather trim. What a store! We just couldn't resist, and came home with Spanish suits.

No trip to Madrid would be complete without a trip to the Prado. It's big and it's full of incredible art. This statue of Caesar is solid bronze and alabaster. The artwork was breathtaking, including this unusual piece featuring two Amazons fighting. What was most spectacular, however, was this painting at right that, at first glance seems to only be a scene of an artist's gallery. In reality, each of the paintings featured in this piece is a miniature of a full-size painting, many that are part of the Prado's collection. Wow!