Jeremy, I love it! Are these really elderly ladies? And how do they make their money selling lottery tickets? Is the Christmas lottery a big tradition in Spain.
By the way, I love the picture of the bakery, by any chance are they the ones that make the delicious marzipan? I've also heard from a Rick Steves show, that there is a convent in Madrid where the nuns sell delicious marzipan delicacies, have you heard about this?
Boy, I'm full of questions aren't I?
Posts: 697 | Location: Florida | Registered: 24 August 2001
Hmmmmm.... sounds like you may want to become a Puerta del Sol Lotto Lady yourself
The X-mas lotto here is legendary as is the "loter�a del no�o" (childrens lottery) drawn on the evening of the 5th of Jan (I think), the eve of the Reyes Magos (Wise Men).
Much more expensive than U.S. lotto and with smaller prizes , it is more of a tradition than anything else. They call the big X-mas prize "El Gordo" ("TheFat One") and a ticket costs 3.000 pesetas (about $18 USD).
I think "El Gordo" is about 18,000,000 Dollars but will have to confirm that one.
So, it is a big chunk but not like the NY lotto where you can win $50,000,000 for a buck.
The best place to buy the tickets is at one of the many official lotto dealers here, shops called "Loter�a y Apuestas del Estado" ("Lottery and State betting") since everyone (aforementioned Lotto Ladies included) raise the price and resell tickets and "d�cimos" to make money while at the official dealers the price is normal.
Oh yeah, yes indeedy, the Mallorquina has killer Marzipan as well and sells it in nice little boxes for the holidays.
Not sure which convent that is that does the great Marzipan thing, maybe Richard can help us out here?
Suerte, jer...
p.d. "Questions are the souls of a good message board" (jer)
Boy, you guys are really freaked out about getting a lot of money for nothing!!! I stopped playing the lottery ages ago after learning that I have no luck whatsoever for that kind of thing.
It is my understanding that the Spanish Xmas lottery is the largest paying lottery in the world. I have received offers to participate from places selling these kind of smoke dreams from all over the world. Wonder how I got on the mailing list..??? talk about wasted stamps!!!
I think the convent refered to is the Descalzas just off the Calle Arenal. I think those nuns have a little side business going in sweets. Also do not forget the famous Casa Mira on the Carrera de San Jeronimo just before you get to the Congress building. It is very famous but I must admit I do not really agree that they make the best. There is great mazapan and turron to be had all over the city these days. One of my favorites is the little Pasteleria Oriental in the calle Campomanes just up from Opera...(OUTSIDE PHOTO) (INSIDE PHOTO)...they really do the most fantastic chocolates around... great for gift-giving.... and just regular pigging-out.....
Gracias Jeremy, Who knows, one day, many years from now, you may see me selling the Lotto! Hey, there are worse fates! Richard, gracias for the information on the Descalzas. I have such a weakness for marzipan. Particularly marzipan covered in chocolate!
Posts: 697 | Location: Florida | Registered: 24 August 2001
Hmmmmmm... aparently the Spanish X-mas lotto main prize is around 3.000.000.000 pesetas and with every 1 thousand milion pesetas being 7 million bucks my calculations give me $21,000,000.
Last time I was in New York the state lotto jackpot was $80,000,000 so unless I am really off on the calculations, the Spanish X-mas pot is pretty weak compared to that of NY. Can you confirm?
Thanks for clearing up that convent question, I had a feeling it might be the Descalzas Reales but did not want to put my "pie" in my mouth (that's "foot" not "pie", I would have no problem at all putting a pie in my mouth )
Booklady, I think you have to go to a 2 year "Lotto Lady" school to get into that gang
Well, about the lotto.. I am certainly no expert.. but I have heard and still hear the stuff about how it is the biggest... maybe they mean because you get all the money in Spain.. Have you ever seen the way they pay out in the States??? Like you get $20 a month for 50 years????
Anyway, enough of flogging a dead horse...Go on and throw your money away if you like.. I am going to spend mine on Xmas marzipan.....At least that way I know where the "gordo" is for sure!!!!!
Hey Richard, wow! I have been on Calle Campoamanes hundreds of times on my way up to the INTERNATIONAL BOOKSHOP but never thought to pop into "la Oriental" caf�. Reading your post here made me curious and the other day I did maka a pitstop From the street you can not tell but there is a little sitting room in the back for having your caf� and sweets.
Anyway, the owner "Teresa" (I think) was baking when her helper saw me with my camera. I asked (as I always do first) if I could take some photos for my message board and she was very nice and said it was fine...
I thanked her and as I headed towards the door she offered me and my friend a "bomb�n" ("chocolate candy") freshly made and I almost died You were right as usual, the chocolates are AMAZING.
Thanks for recommending the place.
Saludos, jer...
p.d. the next time I will be sitting down and having a caf� con leche.
I totally remember these ladies. I tried to take a picture w/them at the same spot in the plaza del sol and they were also very hesitant w/me about the picture.
how about trying to take your picture in front of the oso in the plaza del sol during christmas time, that one's a doozy tambien.
Posts: 5 | Location: Lacey, WA | Registered: 16 December 2001
So true, they get a bit nervous when you try to tske the shot so I went across teh street and used my super zoom to avoid the nasty looks but I got them anyway. I think they have built-in camera radar (kind of a pre-req for being able to sell x-mas lott there).
Yeah, can't get a clear shot of the Oso y Madro�o in Sol hardly ever and it is especially hard at the holidays. Try on Jan. 1st at noon, Sol is usually pretty scarce (too many hangovers) and you can get a good shot with nobody in it.
Without a doubt the hardest place to take a photo in Madrid is at the RASTRO MARKET. Not only can you never get a photo without anyone in it but the person you want to be but most of the stand owners also get VERY pissed off when you try to photograph them (often this is due to the fact that much of what they are selling is stolen to begin with). On the main strip (C/ Ribera de Curtidores) the bigger stands usually do not mind but once you get to the areas of the Rastro that sell second-hand goods (clothes, art, furniture, etc...) for example in the "Plaza del General Vara de Rey", you can nearly get beat up for trying to take a shot of a stand.
I was filming for my website one day and I was told not to by the owner of one of the stands who got annoyed (probably due to the aforementioned stolen goods).
It was a second hand clothing stand and you can see the video of him yelling at me by clicking HERE NOW (1MB high quality .MPEG video).
Man is this a dangerous gig (although the guy I annoyed only came up to my chin as you can see in the video )
great footage Jer. I never actually made it to the rastro while i was in madrid, although i often rode on the bus that went there on Sunday mornings. (Took off from carabanchel and crossed to the other side of the mansanares) I was actually able to get in the picture w/the lotto ladies. maybe they warmed up to me because i'm so good looking. j/k.
another hard picture to capture is w/los anzianos en el parque. they would never agree to have their picture taken, but they were always willing to talk to you about whatever.
Posts: 5 | Location: Lacey, WA | Registered: 16 December 2001
Hey ojal� (and anyone else who has never made it to the Rastro), you must see the Rastro next time you are in Madrid but for now, I guess my footage will have to suffice
Problem is that you have to be in Madrid on either a Sunday or a Holiday (there are special Rastro sessions on holidays ) to see it. Many people miss it because they do not plan their trips to be here on a Sunday
You got in the photo with the Lotto Ladies! You are my idol! Maybe next time I will ask them to get together in a row and let me lie across their laps while someone takes a photo of us
Yeah, the "ancianos" (with a "c") must be shy when it comes to everything but talking... and talking... and talking...
Excuse me, don�t want to be a bore, but a decimo costs 3,000 pts, (or whatever it costs in Euros!!), not 300 pts!!! Or have I been conned all these years!!! Tell me off, jer, if I am wrong!!! (just thinking about your 2002 Xmas promo!!!)
________________________________________ Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional
Hey madsue, I am afraid I am going to have to tell ya off
The Do�a Manolita ladies in Sol always jacked up the price so they sell them for more than the official lotto dealers. Their price is 22 Euros which is a lot. I will have to check the lotto dealer and see how much in Euros a d�cimo ticket costs.
I am pretty sure that they have raised the price (like everyone else since the Euro hit the shelves ) and it will be more than 18 Euros (3,000 of the old pelas) but I will check and confirm tomorrow.
That Do�a Manolita sure is a tough type!
- rent or buy a cell phone from me for your stay in spain, more info at 
- already have a cell phone, get a spanish SIM card for it at 
, it is more of a tradition than anything else. They call the big X-mas prize "El Gordo" ("TheFat One") and a ticket costs 3.000 pesetas (about $18 USD).
(kind of a pre-req for being able to sell x-mas lott there).
