Desde Barcelona hasta Madrid

We spent our last day in Barcelona rambling on La Rambla amongst the throngs of tourists.  We had booked a rental car to drive to Madrid, and the only place we could rent from that would let us drop off in a different location was at the airport.  So, early in the AM we packed up our bags, checked out of our apartment and hopped on the metro for the airport.  I had booked the car onine for $76 for one day, however on pickup found out that there was a 60 euro charge for dropping off in Madrid, plus a 25 euro "premium locaion" charge.  Read the fine print people!

We broke up the 7 hour drive with an overnight stopover in some small town on the beach.  I forget the name but it was right next to Marina D'Or.  We had a shabby hotel with no air conditioning, but it was right on the beach, so we had a nice swim and siesta.  The next day we drive the rest of the way to Madrid.

One of our few "adventures" on this trip - the Madrid airport has 4 terminals, and we couldn't for the life of us find the rental car dropoff.  After about an hour of driving around the airport (and around and around) we finally parked, and I went inside to find the rental desk.  I explained to the guy our situation and where the car was, and he said "Oh you are really lost!", and then he said "If you don't mind I will drive the car back to our lot."  At least he didn't charge for our late dropoff.

Our apartment in Madrid is very nice, and very central.  We are a half hour walk from Park Retiro, and about an hour from El Centro (downtown).  We've spent the last 2 days wandering around downtown (plus a couple of bus tours) and last night took in a flamenco show.  We also have tickets for the Futbol match Aug 19 Real Madrid vs Club Athletico Madrid.  The stadium seats about 100,000, so it should be quite the experience.  Jack has a Real Madrid t-shirt, so I hope we're not sitting in the C.A. Madrid section!

I don't have too many photos because I keep forgetting to take my camera with me, so will post some photos later.

Oh yeah the food - a lot of places don't have my favourite breakfast - pan y tomate con jamon - so I've branched out into the local breakfast bocalleros (sandwiches) - ham, bacon, etc.  Not bad!  For lunch we usually tomar el manu al dia, which includes an appy, main, drink, pan y postre o cafe for about 10 euros.  The best lunch we had was just outside the futbol stadium in Barcelona, other than that we've had mixed results.  For dinner we usually just do a couple of tapas.  Lunch is la comida mas mejor here in Spain!

We're going to spend an evening in tonight, and plan a couple of day trips for the coming weeks!

Hasta luego :-)

Turning 50 in Spain

I'm in Barcelona!  Not a bad place to turn 50.

We arrived a few days ago, and have visited many of the famous sites of Barcelona.  We visited Park Guell and the Sagrada Familia, both works of the architect Anton Gaudi.  On my birthday we spent a felaxing day at the beach before taking a tour of the Sagrada Familia and even going up the towers.  (I have conquered my fear of the towers due to the Spanish discovery, over the past 10 years, of "safety".  They have installed many features to prevent tourists from falling to their deaths, safety devices that were not prsent on my last visit!)

And of course we have visited many fine tapas bars around the city!  (Sorry foodies we have been too anxious to eat to take any pictures of our awesome tapas :-()

Sagrada Familia, under construction for over a hundred years, and another hundred to go.

The tall skinny towers are bell towers.  There are currently 8 built, with 4 more to go.  In the center will be a tower about twice the height (!) - a moument to Jesus Christ.

View from Park Guell.

Park Guell again.

Our Barcelona apartment all decked out.  Dione sent me on my way with a bunch of "old guy" decorations for celebrating my birthday in Barcelona.  (Jack blew up all the balloons.)

My cake, from Sonya and Jack.  It says "our little one", or something like that ...