Saturday, 29 March 2008, Part 1

There's nothing like that first cup of cafe con leche after an overnight flight from Atlanta. After several trips, we know that the best way to handle the fatigue and jet lag is just to KEEP GOING! Of course greeting our old friend, the Spanish nobleman and bus conductor Eduardo Valencia, is always a pleasure. Our morning coffee stop between the Madrid Barajas aeropuerto and Toledo is an easy entry into the culture, and a pleasant place to enjoy a drink and a pastry.

For the students, everything is a new adventure.

Saturday, 29 March 2008, Part 2

Even La Maestra Prudence admitted that we tried to do too much the first day on this trip, however. Before lunch in Toledo, we walked across town from the Plaza de Zocodover for a visit to the peaceful Monasterio de San Juan de los Reyes, visited the historic Sinagoga del Tránsito, viewed the great El Greco masterpiece, "The Burial of Count Orgaz" and then back to the Plaza and a bus ride to a modern mall. Everybody could pick their own selection for lunch, but there's no time for shopping. We go back to town for a visit to the great cathedral of Toledo, some free time for shopping or another cafe con leche, and then the bus trip to Madrid. But not the hotel just yet! We go to the Real Madrid store for a chance to purchase offical gear from the famous football team. Finally, we make it across town to check into the Hotel Florida Norte. The hotel is across the street from the Principe Pio metro station and the new mall (www.ccprincipepio.com).
The views around here are very nice.

Sunday, 30 March 2008

Sunday morning in Madrid reveals the gato lifestyle; people are still out from the night before! Our group takes a quiet metro ride over to arrive at the Museo Del Prado just after opening time. It's a pretty morning, and in fact this week's weather will prove to be absolutely wonderful. The museum is not empty, though. There are always crowds around a masterpiece like Las Meninas.





In the afternoon, the weather turns cloudy for a few hours, and rain falls lightly for an hour or two. We still take a quick walk through the Parque de Retiro.


In the evening, Sonia celebrates her 13th birthday with some new American friends, who have brought gifts from the US. After that, almost everyone in Madrid will watch the football game, but only 80,000 have tickets! The less fortunate will find a TV somewhere for a few hours.

Monday, 31 March 2008

I don't think any of us would have imagined we would see anything like a cathedral built (almost entirely) by one man. Don Justo Gallego has been working more than 40 years on a building that he is quick to point out is a tribute to God. He shared with our group his thoughts on materialism (it blinds you to spiritual realities) and on Christ's love. I think everyone was very moved.







So then it was back on the road to Valencia, a trip with some fantastic vistas, which may have been lost on a few of our travelers! At least everyone woke up for a great afternoon on the beach.

Tuesday, 1 April 2008

"I think I'll go to Spain for my birthday."













Another beautiful day in Valencia was the backdrop for a visit to the City of Arts and Sciences. The morning was spent at the Oceanográfico (Aquarium), followed by a large format IMAX movie, "Los Alpes" about an ascent of the north face of the Eiger in Switzerland.




In the afternoon, we walked up the Jardines de Turia, a garden park set in the old bed of the River Turia, to the city center.













Kids of all ages enjoy Gulliver in the park.








For dinner, Eduardo had found a place near the hotel that cooked fresh paella -- they did not start the rice until we arrived and sat down.

Wednesday, 2 April 2008

So we're back on the road to Madrid, on another sunny day. Once we're back in Madrid, though, you know we will be busy again.

We check back into the Florida Norte, and then it's over to the Palacio Real.


After a palace tour, we stroll through town to visit the Plaza Mayor and shops around Puerta del Sol. In the late evening, we had a fun time at a great new flamenco tablao, Las Tablas Madrid.

Thursday, 3 April 2008

It's a long day trip from Madrid to Salamanca and return, but it can be done. Nobody regretted the extra time on the bus, and for several people, Salamanca is their favorite town of the trip. The morning coffee stop was Avila, and that's also a treat, even if you don't like yemas!

Friday, 4 April 2008

Our last full day in Spain, so let's go.

After a morning visit to the Monasterio de El Escorial, we really relax at a leisurely Spanish-style lunch, but then we rush through a visit to Segovia to see the Alcázar and the aqueducto romano. In the evening, a group goes out with Paul and Lauren to find the elusive cueva.

Saturday, 5 April 2008

It's another long airplane ride, but we have a lot of great memories. Monday will come too soon! We'll all be tired for a week!