Yesterday, a couple of hours before our flight from Dallas, I was checking to be sure I had the records I needed, including the names and addresses of the hotels. Needless to say, I was more than surprised to learn that our hotel reservations for today and tomorrow were in Barcelona, but we were going to be in Madrid. This was truly a “awe shit” moment, although not as bad as in 2004 when we got to Rome and I hadn’t properly booked the hotel. Yes, the tour leader didn’t have a place to stay the first three nights! Thanks to direct dial international calling and the internet I was able to cancel the Barcelona booking and get (an expensive) room in Madrid within a half hour.
Today, our luck improved. It seemed like a short flight. At the Madrid airport (see next paragraph) we learned we could leave our bikes at the airport for two days for less than ten Euro. Then the lady at the information desk told us of a bus which would take us close to our hotel for two Euros each.
The Madrid airport is massive. We arrived at terminal 4 remote. An underground train takes you to terminal 4, which is several miles from terminals 1, 2 and 3. I’ve been told, but cannot confirm, that the Madrid airport was designed by the architect Santiago Calatrava who has also designed two signature bridges for Dallas. The first bridge is under construction; the other probably won’t be built as designed because of lack of funds.
Two renderings of the Calatrava bridge, under construction in Dallas. Madrid airport baggage claim #5.
One other piece of luck: our hotel is across the street from Prado Museum around the corner from a Starbucks. After lunch at Starbucks we went to the museum, one of the world’s great museums with masterpieces by Diego Valazquez, Francisco de Goya, El Greco and others. There were several long lines to get into the museum but we got in in about a half hour. It was crowded inside also. I’d estimate 20 to 30 rooms (galleries) and there would be 30 to 50 persons in each. So my estimate is that there were at least 1,000 people inside and also arriving (and leaving) continually. By 3:30 we were both tired. Brenda is napping while I write this blog.
Above, side wall of Prado Museum. Below, an “illegal” photo inside the museum.
2 comments:
Glad you got the hotel straightened out and I think the best blunder of your cycling trips was when you forgot underwear on a TOSRV tour.......BTW I know a certain young man who would love a soccer jersey from Spain.
Good for you to get your reservations changed! Loving the pictures - haven't been to Madrid, but I loved Barcelona. I'll be glad to have a vicarious experience through you. Tell Brenda to hang in there!
Kathy V.
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