April 7, 2012:  Like I do every year on my birthday, I decided to find a historically significant and spiritually uplifting place to spend the day.  In the past, I've explored such cultural hot springs as Fenway Park, Fenway Park, Milbury Amusement and Sports Center, Fenway Park, Boston Garden, Sligo Pub and Fenwahy Park.  

We headed out to the Palacio Real (Spanish for "The Real Palace").  Its an impressive site when you walk into this:

I lost my mind at the Palacio Real

Carlos III...kind of a prick, but we'll get to that

Unfortunately, there was a line to get in about 300 Europeans long.  It stunk.  Literally.  So we moved on and booked bus passes for the big red tour bus.  I'd highly recommend this.  Bus is good for 2 days and Madrid is a very maneuverable city.  They give you headphones and you can listen to crap elevator music.

One great moment:  In the huuuge line in front of the palace, there are tons of street performers.  There was, however, this one amazing violinist.  Its not my top choice, but it was an impressive performance.  And out of all the people standing in the square, some guy walked up to this guy playing an amazing string solo and asked him for directions.  Classic.