TODAY IN MADRID

We had uneventful flights, both the London segment and the Madrid were ahead of schedule.  Our connection in London went seamlessly, with short lines at both passport control and security.  After landing in Madrid, we collected our checked bag, hit the ATM for some Euros, and stepped on the bus to the city just as it was leaving.  The bus is the most economical way into central Madrid at 5 Euros a piece for the 25 minute ride.  From the bus stop at the Atocha Rail Station it is a short 20 minute walk to our B&B.  Arriving at 10 pm, Paola, checked us in and after dropping our stuff, we headed out for dinner.

In Spain most restaurants don't even start serving dinner until 8:00,  as the Spaniards eat late.  We chose a little restaurant down the street from our B&B because it was close, but the name drew us in.  It's called the SG and DG.  The initials SG are my father's, Stephen Gassaway and DG are mine.  We pointed this out to the owner who told us that the city would not permit him to put the street number in the name, so he chose the initials of his son and daughter.

We were bushed, so after dinner, at midnight, we headed off to bed.

The next morning, after a great night of sleep I was up at 8 and hung around the dining room drinking copious amounts of coffee while Cathie slept another hour.  With Cathie sort of awake we had breakfast, after which Cathie decided she needed more sleep.  I, on the other hand was ready to explore the neighborhood and run a couple of errands.

We had brought with us a "after the Camino suitcase" with stuff we didn't want to carry with us across Northern Spain.  So the first stop was the post office, who for 23 Euros, is shipping the bag to Santiago where it will wait our arrival.  The second stop was the Votafone store for SIM cards for our phones.  So for 35 Euros, we have voice and data while in Spain for two phones.  The main reason for having phones on the Camino is for us to stay connected with each other if we decide to walk at different paces part of the way.

Since it was now one o'clock I figured Cathie might be interested in lunch, but upon checking, her priority was more sleep.  So back out on the town for me where I had a lite lunch of some tapas and of course a glass of vino tinto (red wine) at an outdoor cafe in Plaze de Santa Ana.  It is here where I am writing this entry to the blog.

Now for some photos:

 

WE'RE OFF

 

PLAZA MAYOR

  

 

 

VIEW FROM OUR BALCONY