We were up at 5 am, excited to be off on our Grand Adventure! We left the house at 6:15 am to go to the airport. Our flight didn't leave until 9 am, but I thought we'd get there early, get all checked in and then hang out in the Club and eat breakfast. As we were driving into the airport I received a notice that our flight was delayed 15 minutes. Then by the time we got to curbside drop off, I got a message that our flight was delayed 30 minutes. This was starting to look like it could cause a problem with our connecting flight to Madrid.
We go to check our packs and the agent suggests we take an earlier flight at 7:30 am. This sounded like a good solution. So we went through security, went to the Gate and boarded. No breakfast. Leea grabbed a coffee and scones for us at Starbucks.
We ended up in the last row of the plane. The closest seats to the restroom. lol, The flight attendant asked where we were going we told her we were going to Spain to walk the Camino. She had heard of it and said she was jealous. We talked and I encouraged her to try it. I am like a whirling dervish ambassador for the Camino. I love it so much. I think my enthusiasm is catching.
We had a noneventful flight to Dallas, had time to have a sit-down lunch, and stroll around the airport before boarding our flight to Madrid. No one flushed a diaper down the toilet this time. (If you haven't heard this story, ask me.) things started to go sideways when three adults with five children under the age of 2 boarded the plane and took up seats beside and behind us. It was like waking up to a past nightmare.
On one train trip from Seville to Granada, Leea and I sat in front of two women with two toddlers on their laps. These adorable children proceeded to scream at the top of their dear little lungs, kick the backs of our seats, reach over the top, slap us on the head and pull out hair. We were actually glad when the train broke down just before Cordova and we could, at least, get off for awhile.
So we were a little apprehensive about our current situation. Sure enough, the child behind me started kicking the back of my seat and reaching up to pull my hair. Leea explained to me that it was all my fault for having purple hair that attracted curious children. Leea can be very harsh. Hehehe
- Us on the train
Well, one or more of the children have been screaming since we took off. But I have my iPod with the volume turned to blast. I'm so grateful I didn't unplug and leave my electronics at home. You never know when they will save your life or that of a child. ; )
Well, we survived the trip, landed safely in Madrid, took the Cercanicas train into the Atocha train station, had some café con leche, purchased SIM cards and gate the next train to Pamplona. I just love trains, sitting and watching the world go by.
We snoozed a little on the train. We are both exhausted. We have been up about 20 hours at this time. But like brave little soldiers we marched on. It was like an oven when we got off the train. I think it was about 95 degrees Istram, from Corazon Puro, was waiting for us at the train station in Pamplona. He brought us to the Corazon Puro Albergue. We began our first of many days routine: shower, laundry, rest. I just love being here. We'll go to Saint Jean Pied de Port about 7:30 am tomorrow and start walking.
No comments:
Post a Comment