Day 2 - June 23
We made it!
After a non-eventful flight we arrived in Madrid! We walked up lots of ramps and rode up many escalators to pass through our passport control. Then we rode a metro type train from the T4 satellite to T4 to pick up our bags. Luckily all the bags arrived, unluckily one was damaged and had to be replaced by the airline. They were actually super nice about it and other than traversing 2 miles through the city to exchange it for a new one, the process was super simple. So kudos to the customer care team at American Airlines baggage terminal at Madrid Barajas.
Once through baggage and customs, Alberto was waiting for us. The driver of our transfer bus, Lucio, was a Tetris master in loading all of our luggage under the bus. A quick jaunt over to T1 for our last amiga, we headed into our hotel.
Most rooms were ready, but a few weren't so we utilized the rooms that were and freshened up and headed out in small groups for lunch. Some successes, others had stories like getting a hot chocolate with your sloppy joe when you thought you ordered a Coca Cola. We are learning as we go.
At 2 we met with Alberto and headed to Parque de Buen Retiro by metro, it was a highly successful experience because we all got on and off together! The park was gorgeous, if not a bit warm in the sun. After seeing the lake, the crystal palace and the fountain depicting the fallen of the archangel Michael, groups were given time to explore or relax in the shade.
From here we moved to the Prado museum. Our group really started to lag at this point, but all were super positive and stuck it out. Many of them enjoyed finally seeing the many works of art in person after only experiencing them through photos and posters.
By the time we left Prado we all felt exhausted, we traversed the city to Puerta del Sol and bought some post cards on our way to dinner.
We had 3 courses, first a lentil soup, then thin ham steak slices, some sort of potatoes and peas, followed by orange or lemon sherbert.
We were all grateful for Alberto's "shortcut" back to the hotel, where everyone quickly retired to their rooms for showers and much needed/deserved sleep.
Tomorrow we go to Toledo and get a guided tour of Madrid and the Palacio Real by a local licensed guide.
Note - I have pictures to share on here, but none of the tech is allowing me to add them so I am trying to work through it.
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