Home again

N. Asked our tour director for a restaurant recommendation for our last night in Spain.  She recommended Pimento Verde (the green Pepper).  It was an easy walk.  We were greeted warmly to a very clean small cafe.  M and I had a dish with cod, peppers, onions, and garlic in tomato sauce.  It was the most delicious main dish of the whole trip.  Chuck had a cod omelet for a starter.  His main was Squid in Squid Ink—Black chunks of Squid in Black sauce.  He enjoys culinary adventures and was glad that he had experienced the squid.  N had shrimp and vegetables which she enjoyed.  That dinner was a lovely way to end our Spanish trip.
We left the hotel in Madrid at 8:30 am yesterday (Thursday).  Traffic was heavy.  We were glad we were not driving.  At check in, the agent told us that we were flying out of Terminal S. “When you get there, look for your gate assignment.” The signs indicated that it was 23 minutes to Terminal S (walking, train ride, escalator, etc.).  We got there and no gate had been posted and Terminal S had 50 gates.  We kept walking. By 11:00 am, the signs were blinking that our flight was boarding. We found our flight at Gate 45.  All that time, we never sat down except to have a half cup of coffee. It was a relief to be on the plane.  After we boarded the bus for Rockford, the heavens opened and it poured. Cleared by the time we got to Rockford.  Wonderful to be home to blooming trees, green grass, early flowers, and leaves.
Reflections:  We all wished that we had packed some warmer clothes. Even our tour guides were surprised by the cooler temperatures.  Chuck called this the ‘trip of the black (lamb’s wool) sweater.’
When he didn’t have it on, he wished he did.
All in all, it was a wonderful trip.  We traveled with good people and met many nice people, but it always good to be home.

Madrid, Madrid

Today started with breakfast in the hotel.  We had to rush to leave by 8:30 am because there was a parade today - honoring when Spain revolted against Napoleonic rule.  Shops were closed and so were businesses. Are you counting?  Everything was closed in Portugal on April 25.  May 1 was Labor Day and shops were closed.  Today was May 2nd and shops were closed.  Of course, restaurants and souvenir shops were open. 

 We had a four hour city tour.  Madrid is a beautiful city with large green areas. It is about the size of Chicago.  We also saw the outside of cathedrals, the Royal Palace, many museums, etc. The day is sunny and in the high 60’s.  We were back by 12:30 pm. 

The four of us when to a Mexican cafe for lunch (Madrid like most international cities has many different cuisines.} Chuck had killer tacos.  He couldn’t figure out if they were named that because of all the red onions or because they were difficult to eat.  Also had quesadillas with hamon (Spanish ham).  M. Bought nachos for all.  Chuck and I took a taxi and went to see Picasso’s Guernica at Centro de Arte Reina Sofia.  Granddaughter, THB, had studied the painting and wanted us to see it.  It was huge—about 10 foot high and 25 feet long.  It was a real experience to see the painting in the presence of many students.  Our guides have mentioned the significance of the work depicting Spain’s civil war several times.  It was housed in New York until after Dictator Franco died.  Picasso’s will declared that it could be brought back to Spain after the end of the Dictatorship and it was.   Finished the afternoon with a glass of sherry in the hotel bar. 

Tomorrow morning we leave early for our flight home.  Will probably blog again after we get home.  So Long!!

Back in Spain

Today was a day of transfer.  Suitcases out by 6:30 am, breakfast, and then board the bus by 8:00 am. We are in Spain.  The terrain changed dramatically during the day.  We started out with very rugged forests, moved to olive trees, then pasture lands with animals (cows, pigs, sheep), and then in the middle of the drive there were beautiful fields of crops.  We stopped after an hour and 45 minutes —for a technical stop—I would call it a potty stop.  Then on to Salamanca.  We said ‘Good-Bye” to Maggie, our guide through out Portugal.  She was the best.  Portuguese guides can only work in Portugal.  Likewise, we have a Spanish bus and a new bus driver.  He is more into his cell than conversing or helping riders. The day was sunny but cool with a breeze.  We met Carmen, our Spanish guide for the city.  We took a walking tour.  Spent time in the two cathedrals.  The new cathedral was 500 years old and the old one was 300 older than that.  Then we had time for lunch plus we needed to sit down.  Went to a tapas bar and sat at a table—mistake.  If you sit at the table you have to order from the menu.  The waitress couldn’t speech English and even whipped the napkins and silverware off the table and stomped off.  Chuck ordered wine and tapas.  N. Got her own food - garlic free.  We ate and used the facilities.  M. Suggested that we give the waitress a tip since we caused her such distress.  N used her meager Spanish and presented the tip.  All was good.  Oh, we had empanadas  and a hamon sandwich.  Good.  Went next door for ice cream.  Did a little shopping and back to the bus.
We are in Madrid now.  On the way to the Farewell Dinner.