Our first full day in Madrid will be May 1. With the unemployment picture as bad as it is what cam we expect in the way of demonstrations? Any places to avoid?

I am not sure about Madrid, but all museums and many restaurants were closed in Paris. Use it as a day to walk around and get to know the area. We will be there in 3 weeks -don't believe you should have any troubles.

I could have sworn I answered this same question by you once before, am I wrong? Or did you just want to post again instead of topping?

I said I have no knowledge about whether that day will mean anything unusual in terms of demonstration, if you mean problem demonstration. Paris always has some, but they are peaceful usually. They have some labor marches and speeches in certain areas.

AS for Madrid, as I said, if I were going to "avoid" some place, it would be the square with the Neptune fountain over near the Parliament buildings (Ciboles plaza?) it's over near the Ritz and Plaza hotels, demonstrations have been there before due to priximity to Parliament.

Nothing on the horizon in early May, but there may be a general strike on the 30th.

Avoid the Plaza de las Cortes and the Puerta del Sol.