Program 658a: Humble American Bragging; Why I Love Madrid; Deep Time Journey

Are we being good ancestors? On the next Travel with Rick Steves, Robert Macfarlane helps us explore what we can discover on a "Deep Time Journey," as we look at our place in the world's history.

Plus, author Richard Grant appreciates the sporting sense of humor he finds in the over-the-top bragging abilities of some Americans.

And tour guides from Madrid share their favorite places to take visitors in the Spanish capital.

• Richard Grant, author of "The Deepest South of All" (Simon and Schuster)
• Madrid-based tour guides Federico García Barroso, Amanda Buttinger, and Javier Menor
• Robert Macfarlane, author of "Underland" (W. W. Norton)

• Richard Grant writes for Smithsonian magazine, the New York Times, and other publications. He is the author of "The Deepest South of All," about the people he got to know in Natchez, Mississippi.
• Richard wrote "A Short History of American Bragging" for issue 26 of Port magazine.
• Richard Grant spoke with Rick about renovating a farmhouse on the Mississippi Delta on Travel with Rick Steves program #434a, which aired in July 2018.
• The Rick Steves online guide to Madrid.
• Amanda Buttinger offers tours of Madrid, Barcelona, and surrounding areas.
• Tour guide Federico García Barroso is based in Madrid.
• Javier Menor offers customized guiding itineraries in and around Madrid, Toledo, and Segovia.
• Federico recommends the renovated marketspace at Mercado Platea for a good variety of affordable Spanish food. Caller Lynn and Rick also rave about the less-famous Cerralbo and Sorolla Museums in Madrid.
• Robert Macfarlane published "Underland" in 2019 to critical acclaim. His latest poetic collaborations are "Ness" and "The Lost Spells."
• Robert teaches Environmental Humanities in the English department at Emmanuel College at Cambridge University.
• Robert Macfarlane talks to Rick further about the "Underland" on Travel with Rick Steves program #638 in May 2021.

• Caller recommends lesser-visited museums in Madrid. "Cerralbo Museum is a rich person's home donated to the nation, which includes a ballroom and top-to-bottom art decorations on the walls of the rooms. Sorolla Museum: the artist donated his home and art to the nation." (Lynn in Coral Springs, Florida)
• "I've heard that Madrid has elevated the gin and tonic to the highest level, including an elaborate preparation. Where do you recommend I go to get the full Spanish G and T experience?" (Ed in Vancouver, Washington)
• Caller spent a week in Madrid, staying at hostels in 2014, with day trips to Segovia and Toledo. "I found the locals really nice in Puerto del Sol and Plaza Mayor areas, and all costs reasonable." (James in Virginia Beach, Virginia)

• Hector Zazou, Silabuk and Nooveya, "Song of the Water," Songs of the Cold Seas / Columbia
• Don Vappie, Creole Jazz Serenaders, "Gut Bucket Blue," Blues Routes: Folk Masters Live from Wolf Trap (collection) / Smithsonian Folkways
• Dock Boggs, "John Henry," Dock Boggs: His Folkways Years (1963-1968), disc 2 / Smithsonian Folkways
• Eliza Lynn, "Sing a New Song," Americana (collection) / Putumayo
• Intro to Patrice Rushen, "Forget-Me-Nots (12" version)," Rhino Hi-Five: Patrice Rushen / Rhino
• John Lee Hooker, "Boom Boom," Martin Scorsese Presents "The Best of the Blues" (soundtrack) / UTV Records
• Mose Allison, "The Seventh Son," Oxford American Southern Sampler 2000 (collection) / Oxford American
• * Rosie Ledet, "Easy Come, Easy Go," Sweet Brown Sugar / Maison de Soul
• Losadas, "Aberojaies," Duende: Magic (collection) / Ellipses Arts
• Orquesta Ibérica de Conciertos y Coros Cantores de Madrid, "La Verbena de la Paloma (mazurka)," Preludios e Intermedios de Zarzuelas 2 / NS (Spain)
• El Indio Gitano, "El Sereno de Mi Calle," Duende, disc 1: Passion (collection) / Ellipsis Arts
• Angel and Celedonio Romero, "Jota (Rondalla Aragonesa) (Granados)," Bella España (collection) / Telarc
• Bustle and Out Up, "The Dance of Caravan Summer (Summer on the Sweet Wine Party)," Quango World Groove (collection) / Quango
• Wendy Carlos, "Seraphim," Tales of Heaven and Hell / East Side Digital
• * Eduardo Paniagua, Musica Antigua, "Mi Amor Está Junto A Mi," Trovadores en Castilla / Pneuma
• Aria, "Un Bel Di," Aria, vol. 1 / Cafe del Mar Music
• KPM_KPM_0430_01101_Virgin_Forest_APM
• City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra, "L'Anniversaire d'Irvin," The City of Lost Children (soundtrack) / Point Music-Polygram
• Ray Lynch, "Here & Never Found," No Blue Thing / Ray Lynch Productions
• Loreena McKennitt, "The Old Ways," The Visit / Quinlan Road
• Kiasmos, "Lit," Kiasmos / Erased Tapes
• Karine Polwart, "Heartwood," The Lost Words: Spell Songs (lyrics by Robert Macfarlane) / Quercus Records

* Indicates filler music used during internal breaks on the broadcast

• Rick mentions that Richard Grant wrote an article on "A Short History of American Bragging" for issue 26 of Port magazine, in the segment A open at 7:12.
• Rick and the Madrid guides describe recent renovations at Mercado Platea, starting at 25:17.
• At 30:40, Federico tells caller Ed that Calle Reina is a good place in Madrid to find contemporary cocktails.
• Caller James mentions the uncrowded advantage of traveling to Paris and Barcelona "in December," starting at 33:34.
• Rick refers to living through the pandemic at 43:54. Robert replies how we are still living "in the dark."
• At 48:29, Robert mentions how the Svalbard seed vault is threatened by melting permafrost. At 49:37, he describes a "drought stone" in the River Elba, which became visible for the first time in 600 years "in the drought of a few years ago."