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Published: April 18th 2009
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Trip started off a little sketchy...raining in ATL which always means the expressways are parking lots with misc car accidents. Kendra and Justin offered to drive us to the airport, which took 3-4 times longer than when I took Lynn and Mke a day earlier. The weather maps showed thunderstorms to the west, but we hoped to take off on time...6:55pm; storms due 8 pm. Fortunately for many, but not good for us, Delta showed some mercy and held our plane for some late arriving passengers from around the country..we took off an hour late.
The bad weather persisted all the way up the east coast...really bumpy, so dinner was late in arriving, but gave us a chance to get in a movie. I took my Benadryl, put on the blinders and konked out..next thing I know their handing out the bananas and coffee...pretty good! ...and an ontime arrival.
Madrid airport is really spread out, and although Delta flight attendants said their would be a gate agent to help with connections, we debarked and ended up in no manĀ“s land. Took quite a walk to get to another terminal, but got our passes and made it to the gate
in plenty of time to find they did not have a plane, so it would be an hour delay. Customs was absolutely no problem, going thru security was a breeze...people think were crazy asking if we need to take our shoes off. On with the blinders and I slept for most of the trip to Santiago.
Our taxi cab driver made up most of the hour we lost on the trip from the airport to the hotel! Upon check in they gave us a note from Mike and Lynn suggesting we meet between 1:30and 2 in the garden...it was 1:40...perfect.
We checked into the the delightful hotel and started with tapas at a neighborhood cafe on one of those quaint, hidden courtyards for which Europe is famous. Optapus, fried peppers, beer and sangria was a perfect starter.
We strolled the streets taking in the street life, stopping to observe and visit various historical buildings. The cathedral was amazing. We understood there would a serve latter in the day when they swing the large incense vessel in the cathedral. It was quite impressive as the silver vessel is quite large and they really get it swinging the entire
width of the building. (I took a video but got so involved that and recorder too long so the file is huge, I've borrowed the video from "CaminoGirl" on this same travelblog site...check her blog out) When the church elder grabbed it at the end of the obsevant, it nearly pulled him off the ground.
We ended the day as we began it with tapas, wine and beer. The holy week street processions were a real treat as one passed our cafe. Music, tronos, ("floats"), costumes and candles make for a special experience.
What a day, thanks to modern transportation...doesn't get much better than this!
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