Return to the US

We almost had to stay longer in Spain because of the Volcano ash coming from Iceland had most of Europe's flights canceled. We were worried about getting back to work but, at the same time we wanted to stay and go to a Real Madrid Soccer match day after. We were delayed several hours at the airport because the airport was going to be closed. The gate attendants sent us to get a hotel voucher and we were called back to the gate. Nobody knew if the airport was going to remain open or closed. There was no free wii-fi at the aiport. I payed the 6 euros that they charged to log in for 30 minutes, check the news, and send an email to my family. After waiting hours at the airport for cancellations we were ready to go just to find out that our plane was delayed a few more hours due to mechanical reasons. We were upset, but not surprised that American Airlines has mechanical problems. We met other passengers that had driven or taken trains across Europe to fly from Spain. Spain was one of the few Countries that were not affected by the ash clouds. We had a multi-city ticket that allowed us to fly from the US to London and return from Madrid to the US. If the price of a round trip to London was significant lower at the time that we purchased we would have had to stay in Europe for at least one more week. It does sound like a good excuse to extend a vacation but I was taken non-paid time off at work and, my boyfriend had a new job waiting for him. It would have been a not so good way to stay in Europe longer. 

Needless to say, we lost our connection in Miami, we had to take the next flight to Tampa which was also delayed. They offered us to spend the night in Miami and fly to Tampa in the morning. We decided to wait for our already delayed flight. We finally arrived to Tampa at 2:00 AM when we were originally supposed to be back around 6:00 PM. We were lucky to be back on Sunday since we had to go to work early the next day. I was exhausted the whole day and a few more days after we were back. The jet-lag was not as bad as I expected it to be. It is worse when you fly the opposite time zone because you are not ready for bed. When you return from Europe you will be already 6 hours past your bed time. 

Euro Bills

Pound Sterling bills

Y El Paseo se Acabo (and the trip is over)

Day 3 in Madrid - Last full day in Europe

On our last full day in Madrid we had our friend take us around the City. We asked her to take us to Juan Valdez Cafe for a good cup of Colombian coffee. I have no idea which way we walked but it was not a short walk. We got to Juan Valdez and it was CLOSED!!!

Our personal tour guide took us on a walking tour of the Serrano and La Castellana neighborhoods and to Plaza Santa Ana. We had lunch at Lateral, a restaurant right across from the Plaza Santa Ana. This is probably one of my favorite restaurants now. The food was delicious and the Sangria too. The service was not great but this was true for ALL of the restaurants in Madrid. They treat you like they are doing you a favor. I believe it is because tipping is not a custom so servers don't have to work hard for their money.

There are always shoes hanging by electric cables - no matter in which City

Love Bocaditos (small bites)

Plaza Santa Ana

After lunch we walked to La Puerta del Sol and took some pictures around. We got in the train to another of Madrid's shopping districts. The problem with walking with a local is that I don't pay as much attention to were we are going. I asked for some shopping time since we were done with the sight-seeing that we had planned. I bought a carry-on bag especially for the "damage" that I was about to make. I had heard that shopping in Madrid was amazing. I ended up just buying the bag and a book!!! The bag was very useful for the following day but I was disappointed. I did not shop for a lot of things that I wanted earlier in the trip because I was afraid that I was going to run out of money or that we wouldn't have room in the bags for it.

Busy taking pictures 

At La Puerta del Sol

One of Madrid's symbols

The plan for the night was to go to a tablao to watch some typical spanish dancers. Flamenco is from the south of Spain but I there are shows everywhere. We took a nap and nobody woke us up!! When we woke up it was already too late for the show. I will have to keep singing the song just at Ceviche. Ceviche is my favorite restaurant in Tampa. They serve tapas, great sangria, and they have live music every night including flamenco.

The other song that I was singing all the time while we were in Spain was "El Toro y La Luna". I sing it all the time not just in Spain. Besides, Gypsy Kings is one of my favorite bands and the sing a version of this song. I added the song just in case anybody else likes it.

While we were in Madrid, most of Norther Europe flights were grounded due to an ash cloud coming from Iceland. If you do not remember the news, a volcano eruption in Iceland produced an ash cloud that moved towards Europe. Spain's airports were not closed but most of Europe's airports were. We went to bed not knowing if the cloud would be moving south. We wanted to stay to watch a Real Madrid soccer match the following day but, unfortunately we were worried about getting back to work. We had an early wake up time for the next day and I was guilty to waste the night but at the same time we needed to go to sleep for the long day ahead of us.

Madrid Day 2: QUE VIVA ESPAÑA!!

We had 2 full days in Madrid but there was a lot to see. We stated our day going to El Parque El Retiro. I was not to convinced to go see a park but after seeing it I know that this is a must see in Madrid. La Puerta de Alcala is right by it as well as El Museo del Prado. It was a nice warm day in Madrid perfect for walking. We decided not to go into any more museums and just enjoy the City. We just walked by El Museo del Prado, towards la Plaza de Cibeles. The street right before the plaza, Paseo del Prado, was full of yellow tulips. It was a beautiful sight. Someone (with a nice camera) asked us to take a picture of him and his family by the tulips. We asked him to do the same for us. I think these are the only 2 decent pictures with the 2 of us in it. Most people that you ask in the street don't take it well.

La Puerta de Alcala

A fountain at Parque el Retiro

Parque El Retiro

Parque El Retiro

Museo del Prado

Coolest trees ever

Museo del Prado

Obelisk by the Paseo del Prado

Tulips

Plaza de Cibeles & Palacio de Cibeles

Banco de Espana

After walking by la Plaza Cibeles, I was distracted and fell. I twisted my ankle and it made it difficult to walk at the same pace.  We kept walking towards la Plaza Colon when I saw a sculpture of one of my favorite artist: Fernando Botero. The Hard rock cafe was also by the plaza Colon. I bought my pins and we had lunch at a nearby place called Cafe y Te. It was not good and I definitely not recommend this place.

Cristobal Colon

Fernando Botero statue

someone got burned for doing that!!

After lunch we stopped by starbucks to have a coffee. We walked towards Plaza Espana where the statue of Don Quijote and Sancho and also the statue of Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra. From here we walked to the Templo de Debob. We took a break before walking to the Palacio Real. The palace is so big that was hard to get it in a picture. If I ever return to Madrid I would like to see it inside.

Plaza Espana - Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra

Don Quijote & Sancho Pansa

Templo de Debob - Gift from Egypt to Spain

Palacio Real from Debob Temple

Taking a break

Palacio Real

Palacio Real

Catedral de la Almudena

Plaza Villa

We ate at El Museo del Jamon by la Plaza Mayor. We bought some souvenirs and headed back to rest for a while. We stayed home talking we couldn't walk anymore :)

Plaza Mayor

If you read the Venice post a few days ago, I had a song in my head all the time. In Spain I had a song too. Actually 2 songs. One that I love and wanted to hear live, and another one that is just a song about Spain that I've heard all of my life. It is a pasodoble that my parents love to dance and it is always played at the bullfights. I started singing them as a joke but, they are stuck in my head. The bad part is that I kept singing the same line and driving my boyfriend insane. Besides, I do not have a good voice!!! Plus I only know the chorus (minute 0:35). This song is very famous if you have never heard it and are planning a trip to Spain you will hear it.

VIVA ESPAÑA