Welcome to Madrid!!!!!

Down the escalators on the Paris Metro, David and I declared our love of Paris (as per last blog) and I very confidently added "...but now we start a new adventure. We will enjoy whatever this has to offer as well!" David nodded confidently to me in agreeance."

We hopped on a train to the Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport...much quicker and cheaper...and caught our flight to Madrid. When we put through our tickets at the E-ticket machine, I thought I had stuffed it up badly and took the rather odd looking boarding pass to the counter, "don't worry madame, you are confirmed on the flight, but at the moment you have no seat. Okay, I thought...trying not to panic. We got to the gate counter and as we were the last to board (cos I had a funny boarding pass!) she said "I will give you seats together...here are your boarding passes...have a nice flight!" Okay?!! We got to our seat pronto as they were Row 4 (classy end of the plane - their version of business class) with no one next to us and no one in front of us and who cares who was behind us! Also extra leg room. Ah luxury! Then we thought we should have eaten before we got on the plane as surely we won't get a meal on such a short flight...we couldn't have been more wrong. We not only got a meal, but a little bottle of French wine each. Very chic!! Very happy!! Can't get much better than this, can it??

We arrive at Madrid airport and make a decision to catch the Metro to our hotel in downtown Madrid. Now, our tour book instructions said catch a taxi to the hotel...but nooooooooo we know all about Metro (having used it about 4 times in Paris!! Such innocents we are!!) and felt very confident when the young lad at the tourist info booth said "it's easy...just catch number 8, then a number 10 and then a number 5. Sure, sounds easy doesn't it!!

We then had to get tickets for our "easy" train ride into Madrid...I let David get the tickets while I minded ALL THE LUGGAGE, and he returned from the ticket machine victorious with our "easy" tickets. Off we go...down escalator one, two and three...finally find the correct platform...not out of airport yet...get on train...watch carefully...get off in three stations...are you sure?...yes I'm sure...get off now...yes, get off now...launch the luggage off the train as the train and platform do not meet...where to now?...Number 10...which way?...that way...up one escalator...up TWO FLIGHTS of stairs pulling/pushing 30 kgs of luggage behind or in front depending whether it is up or down stairs...this is the train, quick...launch the luggage into the train (as you now know the train and platform don't meet!)...how many stations this time?...two I think...watch carefully...okay...this one?...yes this one...launch luggage off again...where to now?...this way...no, that way...okay...launch luggage...how many...who cares, I'm stuffed!!!

Finally arrive at the Metro station on the street of our hotel, but which end is our hotel? It's raining...where's the umbrella...in the suitcase (locked)...just start walking we'll find the number soon...what number is the hotel? (Very dogdy looking street for a 4 star hotel - maybe we have come to the wrong address. Nooooooooooooooooo!!!!) No 65, what number can you see...number 2. Crap!!!

David and all our luggage lugged throughout the Madrid Metro and then lugged from one end of Antonio Lopez to the other!

Our suitcases took a beating from the Madrid airport to the hotel at number 65 Antonio Lopez, but finally we throw ourselves into our hotel room and onto the bed to recover...we should have taken heed and caught a taxi! We have just enough strength to go out to the shop across the road for something to eat. David is looking rather perplexed as he looks at me and asks "where's my wallet"?

Somewhere between the Madrid airport and No 65 Antonio Lopez. Lost? Stolen? We will never know!

Welcome to Madrid!!!!!!