  Mean colors and magnitudes of RR Lyrae stars in 24 fields towards the
Galactic bulge from the MACHO database are presented. Accurate mean reddenings
are computed for these fields on the basis of the mean colors. The distribution
along the line of sight of the RR Lyrae population is examined on the basis of
the mean magnitudes, and it is shown that the bulk of the RR Lyrae population
is not barred. Only the RR Lyrae in the inner fields closer to the Galactic
center (l<4, b>-4) show evidence for a bar. The red giant clump stars in the
MACHO fields, however, clearly show a barred distribution, confirming the
results of previous studies. Given the different spatial distribution, the RR
Lyrae and the clump giants trace two different populations. The RR Lyrae would
represent the inner extension of the Galactic halo in these fields.
