Day 44 - Santiago to Madrid

Today, I leave Santiago to catch a fast train to Madrid for 2 nights before leaving for Oz on Saturday. I could have sworn I booked a forward facing seat, but nope... I sat backwards the whole 3.5hrs! 🤣

When I put my pack through the security machine, I met a lovely lady called Patricia from Sydney. She had also just walked a section of the camino after losing her sister 2 months ago. We chatted until we boarded our separate carriages.

It just occurred to me today that I am away for exactly 50 days! Ironic in my 50th year... just saying!

So a few days ago, I decided to call upon my friend Jose from Madrid, whom I met on the bus over from Pamplona to St Jean Pied de Port....way back in my 1st week!

He ever so kindly offered to be my tour guide AND invited me to stay with his family in Madrid!! I was so humbled and happy to accept as it's not every day you get these kinds of opportunities! How lucky am I to be getting the full cultural experience! 💚

Jose & Lissy picked me up from the train station and took me back to their apartment where they live with their 3 boys - Guillermo 17, Ignacio 19 & Javier 22 (I've definitely spelt them wrong?!) Ignacio is away at present, so Javier has kindly given me his room while he sleeps in Ignacius' bed🧡.

It was already 35° when I arrived and having only hiking gear, Lissy leant me some comfy light threads to wear! 🙏

We went out for lunch then got on the city e-bikes and off we went down the massively long straight main street called Castilleno - it's 7km long!

They even have a separate dedicated bike road next to the cars here, so cool! We rode for 45 minutes and pulled up at El Retiro Park for icecream and a wander! From here, we travelled by foot - walking here, there and everywhere and I had so much fun!!

Then, to top it off, we went to a cool outdoor bar for a G&T... this bar had little pools for your feet!! Super cool idea, and it was just what my footsies wanted after walking for a couple of hours!

Then, as we were walking to catch the metro train back, there's this big concert right in Porto del Sol!! We took 5mins to soak up the vibe then headed 'home' for dinner with the boys! ... it was like 9pm by the time we arrived back! We had an awesome chat at the dinner table about our cultures... again, I say, 'How fortunate am I!!'

Their boys are gorgeous and actually, this whole families english is amazing!! 👌... they're teaching me some Spanish too!

I'm now in bed, exhausted but very, very satisfied - it's 1am!! The latest I've stayed up this whole time in Spain! 😱😴Läs mer