September 14 Algeciras Spain
Breakfast at a place just around the corner. Great coffee and then I had a "complete breakfast". 1 egg, 2 types of cheese, some mystery meat, and whole loaf of bread ( a small loaf) and olives. Excellent bread and the rest was pretty good as well. I needed an extra coffee, and it all came to 5 euro! Wow what a deal.
This is such a strange place. I did not expect to find so much Arabic around.
It seems to be the second language and many store signs are in Arabic. At least in this neighbourhood anyway. I am very near the port entry. There are many Arabic looking people around, coming and going to the ferry but most do not have much luggage. I don't know. Once you get into the centre of the city most are Spanish.
I went to the tourist office this morning. What a waste! The guy was rude and dismissive! That is a first for any tourist office! Most are great. Then off to ferry to check out process. I just need to get ticket and get on board, no need for me to have stayed an extra day. I could have left yesterday. Oh well. It did get to see some sights.
Then walked to the beach. And then walked the beach. Took 2 hours to get there, 1 to get back! Nice walk along the shore overlooking the container port. But on way back, that is the place to be as the sidewalk was packed with people, walking, running, walking dogs or kids!
A very nice day. As soon as sun goes down the temperature drops. Not sure to how low but it is less than 20! Feels cool!
September 13 Algeciras Spain
Despite not wanting to doing anything to early but I ended up on an 8.30 am train to Algeciras anyway, the later one was full. Had to get up way too early. Now i was out the door, showered, dressed, packed and ready to roll..... all this without a coffee! And then I had to walk a few blocks to find something open! It is Sunday morning at 7.30, in Spain! But there was a bake shop open with great coffee and very fresh ham and cheese croissants!
A good kick start. Then another coffee at train station! Functioning!
The train ride is 6 hours with only a few stops. The train is fairly fast but once into the mountains it was very slow. Watch the animated Tarzan, in Spanish! Movies on the train. Such a civilized way to travel!
Arrived early afternoon, and needed food. But it is Sunday afternoon. What a drastic change from Madrid.... not a sole on many streets. A very nice plaza and there were only pigeons taking up the benches!
Found some food, tapas only and then walked. Saw the Roman toilets, including the flushing system, some roman walls/canals and walked along the harbourfront. This is a huge port city.
I had dinner of tapas...... it was difficult to find a restaurant that was serving meals and most people were out just drinking and having tapas. They were very good and I topped it off with a piece of very good cake! I was in a bake shop attached to a bar.
September 12 Madrid Spain
Off to train station to buy ticket for tomorrow, after 3 different offices found the right place. The preferred time was full so I have an early start tomorrow!
Then off to get some culture at the Reine Sofia art gallery. 4 full floors! Very overwhelming. There was a temporary exhibition of modernist artist which covered the big names. Picasso, Goya, Souzine, Dahli. There was also a cubist display and some of those that broke away from the cubism. All overwhelming.
Then off wandering around. After all the culture, I needed a nap, the first in a long time. Then out to walk a bit. I ended up in a Hari Krishna procession as they were going down one of the pedestrian street. But they were going to run into the anti bullfighting demonstration. The plaza del Sol was very busy on this Saturday night! Then to the plaza I found last night for dinner. 7.30 and the place is packed. So grabbed a table at a place just opening.
I am sure they did not want a table for one! I ordered a Iberian pork shoulder roast and expected a couple slices but got the whole shoulder, bone included. This is the 'sexy pig', the one that is black and is fed on acorns. The pork was excellent but it was a darker colour. As I left people were lined up for the table!
September 11 Madrid Spain
Nice once again to not have to wake up and get moving. Although I did have to go down the street for breakfast. I get a continental breakfast but after weeks of bacon and eggs a croissant is just not going to cut it!
Spent the day just walking around. Went into the north end of the city. I was headed to what looked like a fairly large park, but turn out not to be. Oh well! The area is mostly apartment buildings but as is normal there are many bars/cafes/restaurants. They are great to sit, have a coffee and snack and watch people go by. I am still getting used to not having over 30 other people around from the tour...but I am sure I will make it.
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| An oak tree, I think, they are protected |
This is such a strange place. I did not expect to find so much Arabic around.
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| Gibraltar |
I went to the tourist office this morning. What a waste! The guy was rude and dismissive! That is a first for any tourist office! Most are great. Then off to ferry to check out process. I just need to get ticket and get on board, no need for me to have stayed an extra day. I could have left yesterday. Oh well. It did get to see some sights.
Then walked to the beach. And then walked the beach. Took 2 hours to get there, 1 to get back! Nice walk along the shore overlooking the container port. But on way back, that is the place to be as the sidewalk was packed with people, walking, running, walking dogs or kids!
A very nice day. As soon as sun goes down the temperature drops. Not sure to how low but it is less than 20! Feels cool!
September 13 Algeciras Spain
Despite not wanting to doing anything to early but I ended up on an 8.30 am train to Algeciras anyway, the later one was full. Had to get up way too early. Now i was out the door, showered, dressed, packed and ready to roll..... all this without a coffee! And then I had to walk a few blocks to find something open! It is Sunday morning at 7.30, in Spain! But there was a bake shop open with great coffee and very fresh ham and cheese croissants!
The train ride is 6 hours with only a few stops. The train is fairly fast but once into the mountains it was very slow. Watch the animated Tarzan, in Spanish! Movies on the train. Such a civilized way to travel!
Found some food, tapas only and then walked. Saw the Roman toilets, including the flushing system, some roman walls/canals and walked along the harbourfront. This is a huge port city.
I had dinner of tapas...... it was difficult to find a restaurant that was serving meals and most people were out just drinking and having tapas. They were very good and I topped it off with a piece of very good cake! I was in a bake shop attached to a bar.
September 12 Madrid Spain
Off to train station to buy ticket for tomorrow, after 3 different offices found the right place. The preferred time was full so I have an early start tomorrow!
Then off to get some culture at the Reine Sofia art gallery. 4 full floors! Very overwhelming. There was a temporary exhibition of modernist artist which covered the big names. Picasso, Goya, Souzine, Dahli. There was also a cubist display and some of those that broke away from the cubism. All overwhelming.
Then off wandering around. After all the culture, I needed a nap, the first in a long time. Then out to walk a bit. I ended up in a Hari Krishna procession as they were going down one of the pedestrian street. But they were going to run into the anti bullfighting demonstration. The plaza del Sol was very busy on this Saturday night! Then to the plaza I found last night for dinner. 7.30 and the place is packed. So grabbed a table at a place just opening.
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| Madrid train station |
September 11 Madrid Spain
Nice once again to not have to wake up and get moving. Although I did have to go down the street for breakfast. I get a continental breakfast but after weeks of bacon and eggs a croissant is just not going to cut it!
Spent the day just walking around. Went into the north end of the city. I was headed to what looked like a fairly large park, but turn out not to be. Oh well! The area is mostly apartment buildings but as is normal there are many bars/cafes/restaurants. They are great to sit, have a coffee and snack and watch people go by. I am still getting used to not having over 30 other people around from the tour...but I am sure I will make it.
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