We left Bwd about 11am on Sunday, Feb 21st. The chartered bus was small (and cozy) and the 15 of us were packed in pretty well. We stopped at Eastland for lunch at Dairy Queen
and headed on to DFW airport.
DFW airport
I don’t think we’ve had a smoother check-in and trip thru security. I guess we’ve done this enough that it becoming second nature---even though I don’t LIKE taking off my shoes and my coats and anything metal. I thought twice before deciding what to wear for this because the shirt I had first planned on wearing, set off the metal detector at the Bwd Court House. I decided against that one, but am wearing a non-metal decorated shirt. Supper was a choice of chicken and pasta, with salad, veggies, cake, bread, crackers and cheese or beef and potatoes with all the accompaniments. It was adequate, not great, not bad and really filling. We had good seats on the plane and it was only about half full. Several folks went to empty rows to sack out for the night. N did this, but didn’t stay too long saying that all the seat belts were poking him. Neither of us slept very well, but that is usual for long over night air plane rides. He is napping right now to catch up. When we were “waked up” this morning at about 2 am Texas time (9am Madrid time) we were served a light breakfast, which was quite adequate.
Finding our way through the Madrid airport was challenging. First we went thru customs which was just a matter of standing in a really long line to get passports stamped and hand the gentleman a paper which he didn’t even look at. After that, the trek to get bags was arduous. We went DOWN,DOWN,DOWN several sets of escalators, went around multiple corners following the “equipaje (baggage)” sign. The signs led us to a high- speed train. We got on, rode awhile, got off and then proceeded to go UP several sets of escalators.
Madrid airport
We found baggage being unloaded, but these were all domestic flights. After asking for assistance, we found the international baggage and ours was already off and in a line waiting for us. We ambled around, found the tour guide (Greg) and he asked if everyone had changed money into Euros. Most had not—we had been told the exchange rate would be better there than in Bwd or Dallas--- so they trouped up two flights of stairs to exchange funds at a rate higher than it was in Dallas. All this time unbeknownst to us, 30 or so other travelers who make up the rest of our tour group were waiting in the bus for us to come out.
The economic problems have hit Spain really hard we were told. Construction has begun in many places especially the roads, but the funds for finishing have dried up. We had to circle several blocks to be able to unload luggage at the hotel because of the condition of the roads.
The Hotel Melia Galgos is lovely. The lobby has mirrored ceilings, the elevator has a mirror wall (it really looks twice as deep) and everywhere you look in the room—mirrors are on each wall and closet door.
We went to the bar for lunch and some folks had trouble reading the menu. N and I had sandwich mixto (jamon y queso caliente) There was some discussion at our table whether the sandwich was hot or the cheese was hot. It seems everyone knows the word caliente. BTW- it was a grilled cheese sandwich /w ham. (About $10 each.)
I bought 24 hours of internet, but as I write this off line, I haven’t begun using it yet. I’ll probably check e-mail after the “welcome supper” --which doesn’t begin til 8, when in Spain, eat supper late.
I guess I’ll go organize my suitcase and maybe rest just a little while before getting ready for supper.
Haven't seen much other than the airport and hotel. Tomorrow we have a tour of Madrid, the Prada, and a side trip to Toledo. More tomorrow. Buenas Noches a tu
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