It was a Great Day for a Walk!

Well, my frustrations continued with our hotel this morning. The shower drained really slowly ... and ... it one of those half wall ones where it opens to the whole bathroom. We evaded flooding the bathroom until this morning when I had to wash my hair. I don't dawdle in the shower, but I have thick hair ... and so ... by the time I had it rinsed ... the bathroom was absolutely flooded.

This created concern because the floors are marble and very, very slippery when wet. I found the mop in the closet but couldn't even mop it towards the shower stall because it was draining so slowly. I ended up tossing all the towels onto the floor so that I had some traction and didn't slip and fall.

The towels were soaking wet. By the time I had my hair dried and my makeup on ... my feet were waterlogged! Arghhhhh. Fortunately ... or unfortunately ... I had to go to the dining room to use the curling iron because there is no where in the bathroom except the sink to set it down. Suffice to say, it was not the most pleasant start to the day.

Travel mountains. Some are bigger than others. I needed to course correct and turn my attitude around for our last day here in Madrid. The old boy recommended we walk to Parque de el Retiro. It had been recommended by our friend, Ceaser who lives in Norway, that we met in line yesterday.

Enroute, we came upon the Botanical Gardens. We opted to take a look at that as well. It was okay. I was expecting something like Butchart Gardens or like the one we visited in Pittsburg with Rod and Barb. It was nothing like either of those. It seemed to be more of an expo of all the different kinds of plants, flowers, bushes and shrubs. I came across a few pretty ones, but we didn't stay long.

We found ourselves at La Taperia del Prado for lunch. I opted the salmon because with all our walking, I wanted to make sure I consumed sufficient protein. The old boy ordered something and was surprised to find out it was a soup! It was a cold tomato soup. Both were absolutely delicious!

And then, we wandered over to the Retiro Park. We were absolutely blown away by its beauty! It is so well manicured ... with fountains and hedges and ponds and trees. Paths go in several directions ... one led to the Crystal Palace. Nothing was in it ... but ... the pond in front of it had the cutest turtles sunning themselves.

We were tempted to follow more of the paths, but I was tuckered out. It was 28 degrees and we had logged quite a few steps already. So, we found a nice little cafe and the old boy had a cold beer! We recharged in the shade and talked about how this was the best way to spend our last day here in Madrid.

In all, we logged just under 15,000 steps today. Oh .... I have been meaning to share something that has become so commonplace that I am guessing it is a cultural thing. When we are walking the busy streets, it seems to be that the locals do not move aside to accommodate passersby. They claim the sidewalk and even if there are three or four walking side by side, not one moves to allow room for oncoming walkers. I kept finding myself having to be the one to take a step sideways ... to move aside ... and/or ... to turn sideways to avoid collision.

We first noticed it in Seville. And then, again in Malaga. We also experienced it in L'Albir. It has seemed so consistent, it got me curious. Am I just being the over polite Canadian?? So, I experimented. I decided to claim my space and see what happened. Well ... I just about lost a shoulder. I thought I'd try it again with someone a little smaller. No. Same thing. We bumped right into each other.

I am just not sure what to make of this pattern? I always say that everything makes sense if you have enough information ... so ... if anyone has any insights, I'd be grateful for a deeper understanding of this seemingly Spanish phenomenon.

We are packing up tonight and heading out to the train station tomorrow. We have a five hour train ride ... leaving here at 2:45pm and arriving at 7:52pm. I am also a bit nervous because I got an email from our lodging giving us virtual access instead of a key. It is also supposed to rain for the next five days ... so ... I am already envisioning myself standing outside in the rain at 8:30pm trying to get the door unlocked with the old boy's phone. Wish us luck ... k?? 😉

For tonight ... we slipped out to the restaurant next door to get some dinner. They offered us an appy with our wine ... it was cod. It was phenomenal!!! And then, the old boy ordered the pigs ears!! Blechhhh. I opted for a very wise veggie paella. It was pretty good. We'll head there for breakfast in the morning as well because we are completely out of groceries! We will also pack up in the morning and look forward to catching up with you all when we arrive in San Sebastian!

With warmest hugs ... k&j ❤️Læs mere