Madrid, Spain March 27 - 28

The overnight trip to Madrid, on the train was tremendously more comfortable than my overnight ride to Munich. Maybe it was my all day hike around Lisbon or the fact that I had a bed to sleep on, but I got a really good nights sleep.

The train arrived 3 hours late, but at least I wasn't too early to reserve a room. As I made my stops around the station, for money, hotel reservation, public transportation pass..., I thought about the al queada attack at this station, just two years before.

Once I finished all my stops in the station, I hopped in a taxi to the hotel, near the Prado museum. After some polite begging the hotel said they would have my clothes washed. How nice, since they (like most hotels) have no idea where a laundrymat is. I got my clothes back that night. $75 for a wash and fold of one small load - OUCH! Lets just say that when I dry myself at home, I still use some of their embroidered towels - gotta love that extra large luggage.

The room was smaller than I had become accustomed to, but was very nice. the bathroom was very nice compared to the bedroom. Marble tile, modern fixtures and plenty of room to move around.

I headed out for a walk (aka find caches). Although Prado was closed, there were still lots of people there milling around and asking americans to donate for 'the children.' Once I wriggled away, I found my first cache. This was the only one of four that I searched for, over two days.



My hunt took me into the Parque de Retiro. A lovely day to be in the park. I also made my way to the Christopher Columus monument.



You know, the guy who announced that he found the new land (just because no one had already claimed it). They call it La Plaza de Colon. That is his spanish name, Colon. I guess he was full of it. I spent a lot of time in this park, searching for a cache that wasn't there. It was listed as missing after I left for my adventure.



Mardrid's Emblem:


The shop where I bought my new letter opener:


I spent to full days walking around a small portion of Madrid and had a wonderful time. Clear spring days, delicious food and lots of walking and people watching.





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