Yesterday we checked out of our hotel, put on our packs and walked a short distance down to the taxi stand in front of the El Greco art museum. The waiting taxi took us to the train station for 8 euros. The small Toledo train station is old style and very beautiful.
While we waited for our train, Anita heard a couple of tourists speaking English so she approached them to chat. They started by saying, “We’re American but don’t hold it against us”. Many American tourists we have met over the last few years are extremely embarrassed by their current government. This retired couple, from St. Louis, said that if Trump wins another 4 years, they’ll consider leaving the country. We’ve heard that before. They’d like to move to Canada, except for the winter.
We rarely meet Trump supporters. According to this couple, staunch Republicans might go on an Alaskan cruise or something but they’d rarely consider just traveling on their own through Europe or anywhere else. That seems to be true.
Our train travelled only 1/2 hour to the Puerta de Atocha station in Madrid. The main line train area isn’t as grimy as the Cercanias commuter train section. This is the station that was bombed by terrorists in 2004.
Once we disembarked, it took us about 10 minutes to find our way through this huge station to the taxi stand. For 10 euros, a taxi took us to our hotel, the Hostal Patria Madrid. We’re about a 2 minute walk from the Plaza Puerta del Sol, the very heart of Madrid. All of the major sights in Madrid are within walking distance.
Once we were settled, we walked down to the Plaza Puerta del Sol and up one of the pedestrian streets to the Gran Via, a main shopping street. Since it was Saturday afternoon, it was extremely busy. There’s no doubt we’re in the big city now.
However, we found a restaurant that seemed to be similar to the pub food chains in Canada and had a late lunch. The food was good and the price was reasonable but we’ll probably look for something a little more Castilian in the future.
We also eventually found a supermarket in the basement of a shopping plaza, where we bought our usual supplies. We have a kettle and a refrigerator in our room so we’re all set for breakfasts.
Today, because it’s Sunday and likely very busy, we plan to follow a walking tour from one of our guide books and save the major palaces and museums for early next week.
While we waited for our train, Anita heard a couple of tourists speaking English so she approached them to chat. They started by saying, “We’re American but don’t hold it against us”. Many American tourists we have met over the last few years are extremely embarrassed by their current government. This retired couple, from St. Louis, said that if Trump wins another 4 years, they’ll consider leaving the country. We’ve heard that before. They’d like to move to Canada, except for the winter.
We rarely meet Trump supporters. According to this couple, staunch Republicans might go on an Alaskan cruise or something but they’d rarely consider just traveling on their own through Europe or anywhere else. That seems to be true.
Our train travelled only 1/2 hour to the Puerta de Atocha station in Madrid. The main line train area isn’t as grimy as the Cercanias commuter train section. This is the station that was bombed by terrorists in 2004.
Once we disembarked, it took us about 10 minutes to find our way through this huge station to the taxi stand. For 10 euros, a taxi took us to our hotel, the Hostal Patria Madrid. We’re about a 2 minute walk from the Plaza Puerta del Sol, the very heart of Madrid. All of the major sights in Madrid are within walking distance.
Once we were settled, we walked down to the Plaza Puerta del Sol and up one of the pedestrian streets to the Gran Via, a main shopping street. Since it was Saturday afternoon, it was extremely busy. There’s no doubt we’re in the big city now.
However, we found a restaurant that seemed to be similar to the pub food chains in Canada and had a late lunch. The food was good and the price was reasonable but we’ll probably look for something a little more Castilian in the future.
We also eventually found a supermarket in the basement of a shopping plaza, where we bought our usual supplies. We have a kettle and a refrigerator in our room so we’re all set for breakfasts.
Today, because it’s Sunday and likely very busy, we plan to follow a walking tour from one of our guide books and save the major palaces and museums for early next week.
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