Finally, the fotos are here...

Some early photos of the center, taken during my first month...
C/ Campomanes, just north of Plaza Mayor, looking south at the eastern facade of the Royal Opera

Calle Bola, a typical one-lane street in the old city where lies a restaurant rumored to have the best Cocido Madrileno (traditional chic pea stew) en la ciudad.

A busy shopping street off of Puerta Del Sol, where cars have been ousted by 24 hour throngs of Spaniards and tourists alike.

Street along the western border of Plaza Mayor, where the old city walls have been converted to buildings for housing above and eating/drinking establishments street level. Some of the places are called cuevas, because of the subterranean drinking chambers dating back to when there was no other way to escape the heat of summer.