Flight to Spain

May 5 2015:  Flew to Spain!  On United Airlines. Newark to Madrid.  Took off around 8 PM.  It's one of those flights where you take off as the light is fading, and after eight hours, the sun re-appears on the other side!  They served a hot meal - I got the chicken.  My sister Lois got the lasagne.  Hers was better.  I sat next to a nice Spanish lady who was in the US to visit her daughter.  We shared a paper - "El Paix"  which means "The Country".

After landing in Madrid, we had to walk for what seemed like MILES to the baggage claim.  We had nothing to declare so we were off!  Hopped in a taxi which charged 30 Euros, not bad.  After a massive traffic jam and a side-street detour, he dropped us off across the street from our hotel which was weird - maybe u-turns are illegal?

Hotel Arosa is great.  It has a large lounge area for ordering drinks, nice breakfast room, delicious breakfast!  Hams, cheeses, bacon, eggs. 5 juices, cappuccino machine, etc.  And we had a large room with views of Madrid:

It has the tiniest elevators:

I waited in line at the Apple Store to get them to unlock my iPhone.

The Apple Store couldn't unlock my iPhone.  Damn them!  Apparently only AT&T can unlock it.  I went to the Orange store and bought a cheap smartphone and a SIM card with 20 Euros of credit.  I now have a Spanish phone number!

Walked over to Plaza Mayor to get oriented.  Many tapas bars are in the surrounding streets.  We went to a bull bar - La Torre Del Oro.  We ordered drinks and then food started appearing.  Starting with miso soup, then a little cup of palella with rice, fish, little bits of potato - delicious!

Later, we took a nap - I know, you're not supposed to do that - it just extends your jet lag.  But we did it.  Only one hour.  We had a nice dinner nearby.

May 6 2015: Took the hop on hop off tour bus.  They gave us free olive oils.  Weird.  We saw much of the city including many beautiful buildings:

We got off for the Prada museum.  After 6:00 it's free.  Saw works of Goya, Picasso, and others.

Later, we had the best dinner at La Carmela, again walking distance from our hotel.  I got the meat sampler.  Yum!  Lois had meat balls and fried eggplant strips.

Thursday May 7, 2015:  Taxi to airport.  Very nice taxi driver.  He gave us his card!  He recommended the public park with the lake in the middle for when we return to Madrid in a couple of weeks.  But now it's time to fly to Barcelona!  The flight on Iberia Air was a very short flight; 1:15.  No food or drink because we sat in last row and we landed before they could finish beverage service!  :(

Took a taxi again to our hotel.  We could never have found it using public transportation because he had to go down many small, twisty roads to get there!

Hotel Raco Del Pi is smaller, small room, but it's comfortable.  There is a tiny bar with free coffee and sparkling water that we are taking good advantage of.