moving around Madrid

toledo garden foyer to trains
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Moving around Madrid

Arriving in Madrid airport was a breeze until we realised that we had a few words of Italian – like Spanish in many ways (actually I was nearly fluent in Italian by the time we had left. Trisha Lowe would have been proud of me) but the Spanish writing was not so hot. The girl in the information booth was great. The guidance we had was first class. She was a terrific ambassador for Spain. Not so good, the telephones in the airport which gobbled money, cut out during conversations, failed to connect, gobbled more money and had not a hint of help in any language other than Spanish. Eventually the girl in the desk allowed us to use her phone and we arranged to meet Coralie and Steve Preston at our hostel.

Madrid - a rest

Madrid's bridgewater?
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Thanks again Geoff. Hostel Macarena is 50m from the main square, Plaza Major, (Spanish speak z=th – j=sort of h : therefore Platha Maihor – emphasis on the “hor” ). It is a very comfortable room and was near food, entertainment and facilities.

It is very hot. We came in to 32degrees. But it is a dry heat and for that I am grateful.

The hostel doesn’t provide breakfast so we took to the streets. We were warned to stay away from the plaza as it is overpriced and for tourists. Within 150m though, we found alleys of cobblestones and little shops where we found bacon and eggs, ham omelette, bread rolls, 2 cups of tea and 2 coffees for 10EUR. Back there tomorrow.

Madrid 2228 room palace
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Marg finally found a pair of shoes that are soft and flexible so, please God, no more swollen feet and blisters. But we have found a wonderful brand of blister bandaids at a good price so we have a few of those in the first aid kit. There was also the temptation of bags and we have ditched a couple of our shoulder bags for one better one. (Trish do not worry I am using your brilliant backpack every day. You will be lucky if I ever return it. It is utterly brilliant for what we are doing).

Toledo alleyway
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Madrid is really a relaxing, slowdown and stop time for us. We have been solidly on the go for 3 weeks and have a very busy time with family and friends in the UK in front of us. Our Trish gave us advice to take a weekend every now and again so we get re-charged. This time is it.

Next adventure; a ride on the open top bus for the afternoon and evening with a meal out; Toledo for a day tour, more Madrid movement on Thursday and then off to England on Friday.

There is one word that I reckon sums up Toledo, which is a medieval town built on a hill of rock-------That word is spectacular!

Madrid train station
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We went via the cleanest, cheapest and fastest train network thus far. Spain has not kept up with a lot of European prices but they do less for any other language group as well. No Spanish – No luck! My snippets of Italian and Latin at school have helped but very few people appear to be bi-lingual. It doesn’t matter. We are having a great weekend before going to London on Friday. But the train system of above and underground trains is extensive, clean and cheap.

You remember my comment about breakfast? I can’t find that café!! B****r! So we have bought Special K and milk!

Madrid busker
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I reckon my highlight so far is the Toledo Cathedral. It was awe inspiring. I reckon better than the Vatican. Not quite as big but laid out in a very friendly and not so many people. Not as spectacular as the little Sistine Chapel where so much is in a small space. Ah, come and see for yourself. 8EUR from Madrid, 30 minutes on a great train. Just wear good shoes, it is all on a series of hills, the cobblestones are rocks from the river with concrete and no Karcher. There is a very cheap and easy bus service, lots of taxis but a map is essentials as the alleys are many, twisting and narrow.

Toledo catheral choir stalls
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Paella is a good meal and reasonable in price. Bullfights are still a part of the way of life. Not going though. The Real Madrid stadium is HUGE! But I’ll see a soccer game in England I hope.