October 23, 2024
October 23, 2024 - Arrive to Madrid
Seňor, un bocadillo de calamares, por favor.
... to MAD
Hostal Cruz Sol, Plaza de Santa Cruz, 6, Centro, 28012 Madrid, Spain
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WHEN you can't quite get comfy on the plane the time is a bit long, and yet before I knew it, we were descending through the clouds into a very arid-looking Madrid. Having done nothing but eat since yesterday at Pearson airport, neither of us was worried about or even thinking about food.
Going through customs was a breeze and then the bikes were soon in the luggage concourse. It was a bit tricky to find the bus to Terminal 4, but we soon did, and were on our way. Right beside us was a couple from Elora, ON, who had their folding Bike Fridays with them for a seven-week trip to Andalucia. We helped each other find the proper train kiosks where I bought the tickets for the Cercanias trains to the city centre. Unlike the Metro, these trains were not jam packed and yet got us to the centre with only one simple transfer.
Alex seemed to be in wonder as we emerged into the Puerta del Sol. Sometimes ridiculously busy, today it was just steady with people. Our bikes had been put onto the wheeled gadgets so it made getting to our hostal at Plaza Santa Cruz fairly straightforward. It took a minute for me to get my bearings, but once I had, it was away to the hostal.
It was only early afternoon, so I let my OCD get the best of me and started to assemble the two bikes. Neither was completely dismantled so it took about 90 minutes to get them done and ready for touring. Whilst I assembled, Alex slept.
When I started to get groggy I suggested that we go to the Movistar tienda to get my sim card. I took a meandering route which included the Plaza Mayor, back streets to Gran Via, and of course, the Puerta del Sol. At the tienda they were unable to help me since their system was down but when I stopped at the Orange store in Sol all they had available was a much higher plan though it was unlimited - which I did not need. The Orange plan was 35 Euro for unlimited data over four weeks while the Movistar was 10 Euro for 40 GB over three weeks. When I questioned the salesman he said that they only offered the unlimited plans here since they feel it is what tourists want. I'll wait til Merida.
In our wanderings we happened by a little restaurant with a poster advertising a bocadillo de calamares. It seemed to resonate with both of us so in we went and ate the best sandwich I have had in years. Plus, the calamares melted in your mouth and the bread was delicious and fresh. What a treat they were. The dessert quest found us in a tiny shop up a back street were we found the famed and favoured Milka bars. How much better could things get? None more better.
Now full, tired and happy, we meandered back to the hostal and called it a good first day on this trip.
Today's ride: 5 km (3 miles)
Total: 5 km (3 miles)
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