Day 36: A Missed Flight & a Swanky Hotel

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It turns out Madrid is a REALLY LONG airport, and no amount of hurrying could get us to the gate on time.

Fortunately, Iberia took responsibility and put us up in a place swankier than we ever choose for ourselves, called INNSiDE Valdebebas. Close to the airport, it was filled with others like ourselves whose stay, 3 meals, and taxi to the airport were all paid by Iberian.

First: eat lunch in a SAD dining room. The food was good, but it wasn't decorated at all. Imagine your parish hall dinner - that would have been more appealing.

Next: nap.

Finally: take a quick walk around the big block and check out the area. Checked out Burger King, where all the teens were gathered. They serve "expresso" and 3 other kinds of coffee. Picked up a toothbrush at a farmacia. Headed back for a light dinner and headed quickly to bed, as we gave ourselves a 3:45am wake-up alarm for our 7:45 flight.

Sooooo much easier today than yesterday. 2.5 hrs to London, a 4 hr layover, and then a 10 hr direct flight to SeaTown.

Saw a great bumper sticker as we cut through the SeaTac parking lot: Madame President 2024. (Hopeful, but nerve-wracked.) Loved being able to use the light rail and bus to get home. We were greeted by a very happy Phoebe at the house, and both crashed early.Read more