I have wanted to write a paragraph a day about our trip to Spain. There are so many images and moments in my brain (not to mention slowing down my laptop), I could fill a book. So, of course, I've had a hard time getting started.
Let's just say we arrived at Barajas Airport at 7:00 A.M. me stiff and sore from sleeping in some supremely awkward position and Incense and Peppermint in a cranky stupor from having gotten no sleep. Barajas met us with its modern architecture, slick chauffeurs wearing face hugging sunglasses looking like they'd stepped out of the movie Diva and overwhelmingly huge size. One of the guidebooks told us that Barajas is 'one of the largest airports in the world.' It makes JFK look like a small town bus station. We followed the visual signs for baggage and, when there seemed to be no more signs and no exist except for the doors to a fast moving train, we did what any good lemmings would do and boarded the train. Yes, folks, you ride a fast moving train a good five or ten minutes to the baggage claims area. Who knows how many miles we rode? When the doors opened (the one stop for this train), we poured out with the rest of the throng and retrieved our baggage with no problem.
While the three guards in the station were unimpressed with my Spanish and made no effort even to change their posture from long leaning against the walls as I inquired about the Madrid Express bus, the kind street cleaner (informal tour guides wearing yellow vests and ready to help for a simple 'por favor' and 'gracias') pointed out the bus, 'Amarillo' yes, yellow and a mere 2 Euros each to take us to Atocha Station.
The ride to Atocha gave us our first glimpse of Madrid. By then it was 8:00, full rush hour. The traffic was crazy though the bus driver handled it with ease as I strained to memorize the many amazing statues. The Cibeles fountain stood out; goddess harnessing two lions in the middle of towers of water with the grand Madrid City Hall behind and thousands of cars whizzing by. Whizzing by were the key words to summarize the experience of the ten minute walk from Atocha to the Agumar hotel. We were slightly overwhelmed but hopeful, how could we not be? With Ciebles and the triangle of museums to our back and the "Big Baby Heads" just outside of Atocha station, we knew we were in for a great Spanish adventure.
A close up of one and a little perspective. These were REALLY big baby heads!
WOW! Those heads look HUGE! Awesome!
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