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Traveler Spain
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- Oct 29, 2019
- ⛅ 14 °C
- Altitude: 2,162 ft
- Spain Madrid Moratalaz Parque de Roma 40.413269, -3.66794740°24’48” N 3°40’5” W
Day 1
SFO - AMS - MAD 10/29 - 10/30
October 29, 2019 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C
We arrived at SFO with time to spare. I was very excited to check a bag that only weighed 26 lbs , and a carry on that weight 16 lbs My mission is to use everything that I packed. We ate at the Manufactory Eatery, weird name, Cari had the Thai Chicken Box with a FLAVORLESS green papaya salad and drink. I had two pork tacos and tequila. Boy do I miss Andale! Everything went smoothly. The seats seem to be smaller than unusual with little leg room. A nice young man named Marcel from Germany who is a geologist sat between us. He was very nice and quiet, and didn’t mind when we talked to each-other over him :) The 10 hour flight seemed to pass quickly and I only got up twice, which is an all time record. Before we knew it, we had arrived. I just read this to Cari to ask about her input....and she laughed and informed me she didn’t. Listen to a thing I said.....So she gets no input. Cari couldn’t’ get her shoes on so she walked the airport in her socks.
We found a place with healthier choices call Leon, we had a avocado, peas, feta cheese, and a pea and mint salad. The flight from AMS - MAD was 2 hours and we both were able to sleep a bit. Once we arrived and got our luggage a drive from gate one was waiting for us. The ride took about 20 minutes. The majority of the buildings we was are brick, multi story housing and reminds me of New York. Our room is on the 9th floor with a great view. After settling in, we were on our way to find La Madrilla a local tapa restaurant that was recommended by the hotel. It started to rain a bit so we went back to grab our umbrellas. When we arrived around 6:30 at La Madrilla, we found they were open for drinks and started serving food at 8:00. We walked around until 7:30 and went back to La Madrilla. Tahe waitress was very helpful, we ordered fried (boquerones anchovie) , patatas mixtos, patatas aioli, gambas (fried shrimp) sangria de verano. The people started arriving around 7:45 and when we left around 9:00 the place was packed, It was very enjoyable. Back to the hotel and time to sleep. Our room was on the 9th floor and we slept with the curtains open and each time I awoke it was nice to see the city lights. Reminded me of SF. Buenas Noches Madrid!Read more
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- Oct 31, 2019
- ☀️ 20 °C
- Altitude: 2,142 ft
- Spain Madrid Parla 40.250123, -3.77108840°15’0” N 3°46’16” W
Day 3
Day 2 Halloween
October 31, 2019 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C
We slept until 9:30 and my coffee barista was kind enough to deliver! We made our way to the city center on Bus #20, to Plaza de Callao. Our first stop was “Pan” for a cafe con leche and flaunts (jamon and diced tomatoes on baguette). After eating we turned right and hit the first souvenir shop and spent 45 minutes finding many goodies. We continued to walk up the street stopping in many shops. The Museo de Jamon was quite interesting, they sold bits of products in cone shaped cups. We continued to shop and Cari noticed many people were carrying Primark bags, so of course we had to find it. Holy Moly....what a huge department store. It was at least 5 stories high, circular and there was intermittent slide shows, scenes from Harry Potter, frozen, etc. Crazy busy. We had lunch on the gran via at Tapa Tapa - croquettes de jamon y quest, patatas aoli ,olivias, cheese cake with berries, sangria, We passed a line of people that were waiting for la lottery, Ivan (our guide) the lottery will be held close to Christmas. We made our way back to the bus stop and arrived back to the hotel around 6pm. The welcome drink and potato chips was at 7 pm and we had dinner at the hotel cafeteria. Halloween in Spain has recently become a more celebrated holiday for family parties. There is no candy trick or treat. We sat across from our future selves in 20 years :)! While we were eating my not so good hamburger and Caris roasted vegetables (purée) salad, and 4 sprigs of micro greens a family came in that were dressed up, Cruella Deville, Little Red Riding Hood, Big Bad Wolf, Chain saw guy, Frieda from Coco , Hunchback of Notredam, the wicked witch from Snow White. Back to the room. I found CBD Mints and was very happy!!! I slept well, Cari was up most of the night :(. Buenas Noches Madrid....hasta mananaRead more
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- Nov 2, 2019
- ⛅ 18 °C
- Altitude: 1,175 ft
- Spain Andalusia Linares Cerro Pelado 38.14652, -3.72276538°8’47” N 3°43’22” W
Day 5
Day 4 Toldeo Saturday
November 2, 2019 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C
Typical breakfast and time to leave at 8:30, arriving in Toledo 1 hour later. we arrived at the hilltop towns and had to take 3 escalators to the top. Toledo is a city that was built and occupied by the Muslim moor, the Jews and Christians. Together they built a synagogue that later turned into a church. The cobblestone street were shared by pedestrians and vehicles alcantada bridge Historical bridges see castle 110protect 3000 word come from Arabic. Intellectual jokes were by the Jewish community. In the 1300’s. Until 1300 the language was Arabic.Went to the Greco Museum which was painted in oil on canvas. He studied under Michael Angelo. We ate lunch outside just as it started to sprinkle. We shared lamb chops, pastas, tomato based soup. Did a little shopping, bought Mile a stuffed toy bull and a NAO lladro for his first birthday. We walked back to the bus on our way to. Granada a 5 hour ride. Leaving the La Mancha region crossing over to the Andalusia region.
La Mancha land region Don Quijote manchengo goat cheese and can be eaten at different stages of curing. . Olive oil, wine and wheat
Andalusia: has largest area of olive trees, a sea of green. Most of the olive oil has some Spain in it . We arrive at the Gran Luna Hotel around 7:00pm, the room was very nice and the bathroom was a nice size. The windows opened for fresh air. The lack luster buffet dinner was at. 8:30pm then we took a walk around the area with Sue and Cathy. Back to the room to prepare for tomorrow. Buenas Noches Granada!Read more
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- Nov 4, 2019
- ⛅ 20 °C
- Altitude: 95 ft
- Spain Andalusia Seville Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium 37.38678, -5.97234637°23’12” N 5°58’20” W
Day 7
Day 6 Seville City Tour
November 4, 2019 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C
Early morning coffee delivery! The tour started at 9 am so I was able to wash my hair :). City tour on the bus 🚌 and walking to through some garden and to the restrooms at the hospital. Cari and I both bought jewelry from the same store but didn’t see each other until it was time to get back on the bus to Plaza de Espana which was built in 1920 for the 1929 exhibitions, along the wall by the canal are 48 alcoves with benches, one for each province of Spain, each with a relevant tableau and map, all designed on colourful azulejos (painted ceramic tiles). In a further regional reference, the four bridges represent the four ancient kingdoms of Spain: Castille, Aragon, Navarre and Leon. Continuing the tour we went to the Holy Church Seville Cathedral. What an amazing cathedral. The largest gothic cathedral in the world. It started out at as Islamic mosque, than a Christian mosque and a gothic cathedral. Christopher Columbus had a statue built for his coffin in Cuba and it was 4 men holding a casket decorated to tell stories. The body was exhumed several years ago and only one finger was found in there. It was verified to be Christopher Columbus’s. He was sent to jail for the atrocities he committed in other countries, in the name of Christianity. When Queen Isabella sent him to jail he protested stating he didn’t do the killing, she stated he was responsible for his people. She was a bad ass! He died in jail. Over 23k square feet, mass is regularly held in the altar mayor, which houses gold statues floor to ceiling, and has a functioning organ. There were gold and silver replicas throughout. After the tour we went souvenir shopping and stopped for lunch. We had a bowl of wonderful tasting green olives , cameron fritters, and a salad with goat cheese, pecan, pasta and rocket (arugula) with sangria.
Back on the bus, organized for tomorrow and had a Gorgonzola burger at Foster’s Hollywood, we arrived at 4:25 and they closed ad 4:30....phew just in time. Flamenco show at 6:30pm. It was a great show, there was a variety of performances with singing, (gypsy kings style ) individual dancers, men with tight asses! :) , short stories and partners. It was very colorful and enjoyable. It was better than the one I saw in Barcelona. I bought castanets to have at the house and play. In our room by 9:00pm to get ready for our last day !Read more
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SFO - AMS - MAD 10/29 - 10/30

Day 2 Halloween

Day 4 Toldeo Saturday

Day 6 Seville City Tour