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We travelled by train from Portugal to Madrid on a what should have been an 10 hour journey. It ended up being 12 hours. This was the first time and probably only time, I travelled in a sleeper car. I had the top bunk. It would have been fine if it was not for a loose screw that was rattling around whenever the train was going up and down hills. It was like Chinese water torture.
April 19th
Cafeteria Cristi in Plaza Major
We had been in Madrid for a few hours now and it was the afternoon. We went to the tourist office to get some information at Plaza Major. We also decided to get a late lunch. We chose one of the many restaurants lining the square - 'Cafeteria Cristi'. We ended up with quite a 'pile' of food. Christian and I were speaking what Spanish we could with the waiter. But I cannot help but think that we was being a smart ass and speaking too fast for us to understand him completely. His plan it appeared was to get us to spend as much money as possible. We did end up spending just over 70 euros for a meal that was just ok. I was a bit miffed by this. Avoid this place if you can.
While having a lunch, a chap was asking me if I wanted my shoes shined. And actually my leather shoes could really have done with a shine. So, I agreed to let him do it. He kept looking from side to side as he watching out for someone while he shining the shoes and seemed just a little tense. Actually, he did not do a very good job. Amusing.
April 21st
Atocha Station
It seems Toledo was a popular destination today. We could not get train until well into the afternoon. I killed time reading while Christian went off for a bit back to the hotel to get his book. There is a large tropical garden right in middle of the hall. What a wonderful use of an open space. Credit to the person who came up with the idea. While on holiday, I had picked up the book "Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell. A thoroughly interesting read; I took some time to read this while waiting. If you find yourself traveling through Spain, Portugal or France and looking for books in English check out FNAC. FNAC is something like the Virgin Megastore; FNAC sells books, music, computer, DVD's etc...
Wikipedia entry for Atocha station
Toledo
We took in some of the sights of Toledo. The city is situated on top of a hill. There is a massive cathedral and we had a look in; . I wondered how many people must be involved in just keeping such a place clean and functioning. We saw some painting by the famous El Greco. He had an interested and quite stylized way of depicting human form; I thought it was almost abstract. The figures would be very tall and thin in proportion.
April 20th
We made a start to the day by having a coffee and a pastry. We had a quick bite in a fairly large coffee shop in Puerto Del Sol.
Museo d'America
This museum is dedicated to the Americas. And has extensive exhibits about the colonization of the new world and artifacts from pre Columbian societies. The craftsmanship of the pieces from Peru really blew me away. My original plan was to actually go to South America at this time and see more of the continent besides just chilling out in Buenos Aires but I had opted to make a shorter trip to Spain and Portugal. These pieces made me feel curious to see them in the context of where they came from. It was the middle of the week and the museum was practically empty. At times, Christian and I were the only people in some of the rooms asides from people who worked there. Also, in the museum there sections dedicated to anthropology. It is definitely worth a visit when in Madrid if you have any interest in history and the 'New World'.