Madrid, September 1, 2018

Wow! We started this trip on July 24! Now, it is September. A person's life evaporates, literally evaporates. Single days become weeks and months. Rare momentous; most are just routine unless we really feel and see the day. Each day is a one in a lifetime event. How often we forget!

I'm certainly not professing that I actually see and appreciate each day but I do remind myself to see the sky, study the clouds, look at the vibrant or subtle colors in a wildflower or a the deep hues of a green, red, or purple vegetable, watch a child at play or take note of an old man's manner of dress or his walk. These are grand things. One does not have to be rich to experience richness.

After another fantastic train experience, we arrived in Madrid about 1 pm. The train was smooth and the scenery as we passed at 150 mph, was beautiful, simply an eye-full. There were sharp hills with terraces for growing fruit trees. Occasionally we would see a natural flowing river. The farms were well irrigated and the produce seemed to be plentiful! The farms and castles and churches we zoomed by seemed to own stories we will never hear.

Madrid is another knock your socks off city, rich in history and fantastic architecture, some of it almost fairytale inspired. The names of the architects who designed the grand halls, palaces, mansions and cathedrals, and the kings and queens who financed the construction were explained to us, but I'd need a college course to remember the details. All I can say is, "Visit this city." Today is only our first day. Hopefully by day four we will have learned enough to be able to share really good information.

We were starving by the time we left the apartment. We were making our way directly to the Hop On-Hop Off bus spot on the just stopped at a random street-side place because a table we passed had a dish of stuff that simply called to us. It was called La Playa de Lavapies. (curiously Lavapies is the name of the subway station near us). It was a bit avant-garde. We sat and had the coldest, nicest beer we have tasted in months and then were served Spanish olives and Super Nachos which was actually a kiln-fired clay bowl of chili con carne with beans, topped with corn and cheese and garnished with a very healthy glob of guacamole. It was served with tortilla chips. I nearly lost my mind, it was so good. So did Stan. All it needed was a spoonful of pico de gallo and another spoonful of sour cream - but hey, this is Spain. It is not Mexico! But holy-moly, I loved sitting there in mottled light, enjoying the ice cold beer and the delicioso super nachos. Look out folks! You are definitely going to see this dish served on my kitchen island!

After lunch we grabbed a Red Hop On-Hop Off Bus and toured the historic part of the city. That's how we saw all of the fantastically designed and constructed buildings. We sat on top. It's the best place to get the best photos. But the weather today was HOT. Riding along, I took off my hat; then I unlaced and removed my shoes. I raised my skirt to catch air. Ahhh! I was much more cool and comfortable, yes, indeed. I also had to keep an eye on myself to make sure I didn't become so comfy that I threatened my lady-like demeanor.

We got the layout of the land and we will be ready to go tomorrow! We want to see the Botanical Gardens, buy a guitar from the Hard Rock Café and we want to ride the other Hop On-Hop Off Bus which will introduce us to the modern areas of the city. Oh yes, and we want to see a Flamenco Dance show.

Gnip-gnop!