Rick and Janell's News: MADRID

On Monday afternoon after our last morning in Budapest we went to the airport to catch our plane to Madrid, Spain. We were grateful we got there early because just a few minutes after we got in to the check-in lane for Iberian Airlines, the whole area filled up behind us with people waiting to get their tickets and luggage checked. We had just a few people in front of us, and I kid you not we stood in line for at least thirty minutes. We were wondering how in the world all of those people were going to get checked in and to the gate on time.

This was our first experience with the Spanish people and their dogs. Whenever we fly we rarely see people with pets. In front of us there were two people waiting to check in their dogs, with three dogs in total. I have no idea how many people had their dogs waiting behind us in line but after arriving to Spain we saw people walking their dogs EVERYWHERE. There were big dogs, little dogs and everything in between. We were both amazed at this phenomenon.

Anyhoo, back to Iberian Airlines. On our way to the gate we stopped to get a sandwich because it was a three and a half hour flight and we knew there would not be anything to eat between then and our arrival to our hotel.

After our lunch stop we got to the gate but found a line waiting to get into the gate. The whole gate area was blocked off. The attendants would not let anyone inside where the chairs were. Hmm?? After staying in line for a few minutes (holding our heavy backbacks) I said to Rick that we should go back a few gates where there were chairs to sit in. He agreed and many followed.

Isn't that the strangest thing? We were not allowed to sit in the chairs at the gate.

Then when it was time to get on the plane, we got in line and were herded through the gate area (no sitting still) out the doors and onto a bus. There were two buses to accommodate everyone. Both buses then left at the same time and dropped us out onto the tarmac to board the plane. ALL AT THE SAME TIME! This was a full flight (about a hundred of us) and we all were just getting on at once.

Some boarded the steps from the back and some from the front. We were in row eight and one of the last to get on which was fine but there was absolutely no order to the process. Just crazy! Luckily, we got onboard and had no issues with our flight.

It was just a different experience than either of us had ever had in traveling.

After getting to Madrid we rented a car and headed into the city to find our hotel. We stayed at the AC Atocha Hotel, in the Marriott/Bonvoy group. It was a very nice hotel, very modern. The shower had glass walls and was kind of right in the middle of the room. Somewhat interesting and fun.

After getting settled we walked across the street to a restaurant and ate outside on the front patio. Rick ordered the shrimp and I had a very delicious steak with fries. I had the ice cream for dessert and decided right there and then that I would be back the next night for more that delicious ice cream.😄

The next morning we were scheduled to attend a session at the Madrid Temple. It was only supposed to be a seventeen minute drive, and we left in plenty of time, or so we thought, but ran into some heavy traffic. We then couldn't find how to get into the temple property so had to make a phone call and,,,long story short we missed the session. That was disappointing but we ended up doing initiatory (two names each) and then meeting up in the celestial room. It was so beautiful! It had a stunning painted cupola with a beautiful chandelier hanging down the middle of it. I love that characteristic and that it is reminiscent of some of the medieval cathedrals in the area.

Afterwards we walked out of the temple to get a few photos and to admire the grounds. We saw an old woman wandering around. Rick stopped to talk with her. She introduced herself as Maria. I couldn't understand what she was saying (because I don't speak Spanish) but could tell that she was lonely and sincere in her words. I even got teary as she was speaking because somehow I could feel her loneliness. Rick explained to me afterwards that she lives alone in the apartments adjacent to the temple. She said she doesn't come to the temple grounds everyday but only sometimes comes to visit because it is special and peaceful. She pointed to this family statue (below) and told Rick that when she comes to the temple she touches the statues. She has no children (she never married) and all of her family has passed on. It is just her left. She said she is almost 90 years old. Rick explained to her about the temple and how we receive ordinances that allow us to live with Heavenly Father forever. Rick encouraged her a couple of different times throughout the conversation to let him connect her with some missionaries but she declined. She responded that she has already been baptized. She said to Rick, "I have repented of my sins. Now all I have now is to sit at home with my thoughts". She said she waits each month for the money to come so she can pay her bills and comes to walk around the temple to receive peace.

The conversation ended and we separated. Just a minute and a half later Rick said, Oh! I wanted to give her a little bit of money, and we both went looking for her but she was no where to be found. It's like she just disappeared. The thought came to me that SHE was the reason we missed the session. WE needed to have this conversation and experience with her to remind us that there are earthly angels around us.

She truly was an earthly angel.

It was a beautiful experience.

After getting back to the hotel we decided to take the Metro to the Old Town area. Our stop was called La Frontera and we rode up just three stops to the Sol stop. It put us right in the middle of the old town. We immediately embarked on finding an Official Real Madrid store to buy some merchandise. Holy Cow! I couldn't believe how expensive everything was. One jersey was close to $200! Rick was determined to get one for Skylar and himself so he did. He paid a little extra to get their names put on the back. This experience took about an hour and a half. Seriously. I was like, "Let's go already!" The jerseys turned out nice and I was glad to move on.

After walking around the old town and perusing some shops we were ready for dinner.

After a wild goose chase trying to find an Italian Restaurant we actually happened upon one.

I was in the mood for pasta but Rick's pizza looked sooo good!

Next we went to a Flamenco show that we had scheduled through Viator. We were escorted into the venue for a drink. I had orange fanta (that was so yummy) and Rick had some bottled pineapple juice. Just before the show was to begin we were escorted downstairs to the stage area. It was very small but so quaint. It was completely bricked, even over our heads.

The flamenco show started, and we thought it was so great! We learned a little bit about the dance and where it originated (the middle east). Years ago a group of people migrated over Europe and ended up in Southern Spain. They were called gypsies and brought this type of dance to express emotion, both happiness and sadness. The dancers were so talented, and the musicians behind them were as well. There were two female dancers, one male dancer, a percussionist, a guitarist, and two singers. It was a wonderful, cultural experience!

After the show we headed back to the hotel for a good night's rest.

Each morning at the Atocha we enjoyed a nice buffet breakfast. The meal did not come with the room but it was a good way to start the day.

The next morning we headed back to the Old Town. We had scheduled a tour at the Royal Palace.

After arriving we found out that the palace was closed due to the preparation of Spain's National Holiday, which was the next day.

Fortunately for us we were able to get a ticket to the cathedral across the street. This cathedral had a museum of old Catholic artifacts that have been passed down through the centuries. We also got to get out onto the balcony and get a great picture of the palace from that vantage point. Rick also walked up to the cathedral dome and got some pictures.

Inside the cathedral itself was very beautiful.

I love the artwork on the ceilings as well as the stained glass.

Just outside the palace we had to get these silly pictures!

In the old town just by the palace was a small bazaar.

Rick was able to find a new leather belt from this Morrocan shop.

He also found some baklava;)

We were ready for some refreshment, so we went looking for a smoothy.

This is what we found. They were more like an icee. I got a brain freeze.

Next in our wandering around town we came across a cool eating marketplace. It was the lunch hour and packed with people. We love these cultural markets! There were so many different - and I mean different - types of food. Let the pictures speak for themselves....

Then we found these lovelies, and even though we were not hungry we knew we had to at least try them.

These empanadas were super delicious! We got curry and pizza flavors.

Next we found this cute plaza. It was called Plaza de la Villa. We rested our feet here for a few minutes.

While we were sitting, Rick suggested we go get a massage. Uuumm, not gonna say no to that!

We called around to find a place near us and the closest place was about a fifteen minute walk away.

The Tower of Lujanes. This was in the plaza and one of the oldest buildings in the historic district.

It was built in the 15th century by the Lujanes Family.

On our way over to our massage we passed a leather purse store.

It was calling my name. We stopped and bought a couple of purses (one red and one white).

I'm excited to use them when I get home!

We arrived to the Thai massage place and they got started by giving us cool cloths to wash our hands and then they brought out tubs to soak and wash our feet.