Madrid 4th June

The train trip to Madrid was interesting and at times I saw where I had walked on the Camino which made me feel both sad it was over and amazed at what I had walked. I found the train comfortable but the scenery whizzing past made me somewhat queezy at times. I am the person who can get motion sickness driving herself out of a multi-story car park after all!

I am glad I opted for the taxi because the station was miles away and finding a bus etc was beyond me at 10 pm at night. Best € 20 spent. The hostel was in a square and hard for the taxi to access. That is what you get with a bargain place. It is full of young backpackers but a few oldies as well. I have my own room and bathroom and compared to some Albergues is luxury. How we get picky when we get back to the other world! I missed the official breakfast which is included in the price, but the waitress said there was food left so to help myself.  A typical Spanish breakfast of madeleines (little cakes) and pastries with large milk coffee. If there was anything else I will discover tomorrow when I get up in time.

I had intended to go to the Emirates office and sort out my return ticket but decided to take a hop on hop off bus ride instead to get an idea of the city. Also Emirates is about 30 mins walking so when you don't have a map it is a bit risky. It is really warm in Madrid and I have browsed several shops with a view to buy a dress for the wedding and fancy sandals for Italy. My trousers are hanging loose but I just can't make up my mind what to buy. It is too soon I think and I am loathe to add to my suitcase. I am missing the simplicity of my pack and Camino wardrobe. Having said that, Spain is my sort of place. Colour is the thing. The shops are full of gorgeous bright colours for summer. And the SHOES are gorgeous. I am being restrained but will need a dressy pair for the wedding and summer. Boots and Teva sardals are very comfy but I don't think they will cut it in high fashion Northern Italy. If I was six foot tall and twenty it might work. I did succumb to having a haircut. I just couldn't stand it any more. After twelve weeks it had grown wild and I am trying to present a reasonably professional image at this program! Luck would have me find an English speaking hairdresser so I had a trim. I also bought a sun hat. I have become so used to wearing my walking hat that sitting in the roofless bus seemed too much in the heat withou a hat. I asked two Spanish strangers, one young and one older if it looked okay. I think it is quite smart and definitely better than my walking hat for the city. Vanity hasn't been entirely wiped from this little Aussie I am afraid.

Madrid unlike most other cities in Spain does not close for Siesta. It is open all day and night. It is a very attractive city with a lot of parks and grand buildings. There are many plazas and roundabouts with fountains gushing water. The main avenues are broad with smaller streets radiating and lots of one way streets.

I saw the changing of the guards at the palace today. The horses were so beautiful and the soldiers very smart in their uniforms. The hairdresser a local has been to the palace lots of times but never seen the guards. The guide on the bus said it only happens on Wednesdays.

 I haven't seen many cyclists unlike Paris and the other Spanish cities. Lots of parks, museums and art galleries to visit but they can wait till I return. You can tell this is a capital city because it seems quite " glossy", neat and busy. 

It seems a bit strange being on my own again but the upside is I just make a decision and do it. Everything is about finding balance.