Madrid, Part 1: Getting Started
Jan 23rd 2005 | 9:26 pm
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
Madrid, Part 1: Getting Started
Herself and I organised our trip with our usual thoroughness. This
entailed researching what cheap flights were available and selecting
travel dates based on the best deal we could find. On accommodation,
we sought and received advice, and booked a studio apartment. Other
preparations included checking how to get from the airport to our
apartment (answer: the airport minibus service), learning essential
Spanish ("¿Habla inglés?"), and purchasing a randomly-selected
guidebook, which was packed unread.
Travel is the price one pays for getting to a destination. When the
journey involves an airplane, the destination had better be very good,
for I hate flying. Perhaps I should qualify that: the flying part is
okay, but I hate all the associated bits, like the need to check in
long before the flight, the wait in the airport, the scrum to board
the plane, the later mad rush to get off, the long wait at the baggage
carousel, and the usual annoyance of finding one's way through a
strange airport and getting to the city it serves. It took about eight
hours to travel from home to our temporary base in Madrid, and we were
actually moving for only about half that time.
The first impression of our apartment was good. The room was large and
clean, with a basic kitchen, and areas for dining, lounging, and
sleeping, and there was a good bathroom. The air-conditioning would
have been welcome in summer, but was not needed at the end of October.
Two tall windows with balconies allowed us observe the street three
floors down. The street was the pedestrianised Calle del Principe,
which links Plaza de Santa Anna with Plaza de Camelejas. We unpacked,
had a brief siesta, freshened up, and went out to check our local
environment. We found that we were in Nighttown, with many
restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. Well, it should be easy to find
somewhere for our evening meal, and we were hungry.
The tour of the neighbourhood was salutary. My presumption that we
could manage enough menu Spanish to get by proved to be ill-founded,
and reading the menus posted outside restaurants proved to be largely
uninformative. We eventually found a place which had menus in several
languages, and which looked welcoming. The tabla de carne, a platter
for two people comprising about six meats with garnishes, looked
interesting and, accompanied by a bottle of the house red, sated our
appetites.
My thirst invited a little more treatment, and we came across a
micro-brewery close to our apartment. The nutty and slightly sweet
brew made a good nightcap. No further consideration was necessary: we
knew where our local was.
And so to bed -- late enough, we thought, but others clearly thought
differently, for the sounds of conviviality on the street below lasted
for a further three hours. Not really a problem, as we had no need to
be up early in the morning. And being awake late was an opportunity to
look at the guidebook and decide how to spend our time.
--
PB
The return address has been MUNGED
entailed researching what cheap flights were available and selecting
travel dates based on the best deal we could find. On accommodation,
we sought and received advice, and booked a studio apartment. Other
preparations included checking how to get from the airport to our
apartment (answer: the airport minibus service), learning essential
Spanish ("¿Habla inglés?"), and purchasing a randomly-selected
guidebook, which was packed unread.
Travel is the price one pays for getting to a destination. When the
journey involves an airplane, the destination had better be very good,
for I hate flying. Perhaps I should qualify that: the flying part is
okay, but I hate all the associated bits, like the need to check in
long before the flight, the wait in the airport, the scrum to board
the plane, the later mad rush to get off, the long wait at the baggage
carousel, and the usual annoyance of finding one's way through a
strange airport and getting to the city it serves. It took about eight
hours to travel from home to our temporary base in Madrid, and we were
actually moving for only about half that time.
The first impression of our apartment was good. The room was large and
clean, with a basic kitchen, and areas for dining, lounging, and
sleeping, and there was a good bathroom. The air-conditioning would
have been welcome in summer, but was not needed at the end of October.
Two tall windows with balconies allowed us observe the street three
floors down. The street was the pedestrianised Calle del Principe,
which links Plaza de Santa Anna with Plaza de Camelejas. We unpacked,
had a brief siesta, freshened up, and went out to check our local
environment. We found that we were in Nighttown, with many
restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. Well, it should be easy to find
somewhere for our evening meal, and we were hungry.
The tour of the neighbourhood was salutary. My presumption that we
could manage enough menu Spanish to get by proved to be ill-founded,
and reading the menus posted outside restaurants proved to be largely
uninformative. We eventually found a place which had menus in several
languages, and which looked welcoming. The tabla de carne, a platter
for two people comprising about six meats with garnishes, looked
interesting and, accompanied by a bottle of the house red, sated our
appetites.
My thirst invited a little more treatment, and we came across a
micro-brewery close to our apartment. The nutty and slightly sweet
brew made a good nightcap. No further consideration was necessary: we
knew where our local was.
And so to bed -- late enough, we thought, but others clearly thought
differently, for the sounds of conviviality on the street below lasted
for a further three hours. Not really a problem, as we had no need to
be up early in the morning. And being awake late was an opportunity to
look at the guidebook and decide how to spend our time.
--
PB
The return address has been MUNGED
Jan 23rd 2005 | 11:36 pm
#2
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Madrid, Part 1: Getting Started
Following up to Padraig Breathnach
> The room was large and
>clean,
I think clean is the norm in Spain, a spanish friend at least
insists it is in Andalucia. (spelt in Spanish)
--
Mike Reid
Wasdale-Thames path-London-photos "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk" <-- you can email us@ this site
Eat-walk-Spain "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk" <-- dontuse@ all, it's a spamtrap
> The room was large and
>clean,
I think clean is the norm in Spain, a spanish friend at least
insists it is in Andalucia. (spelt in Spanish)
--
Mike Reid
Wasdale-Thames path-London-photos "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk" <-- you can email us@ this site
Eat-walk-Spain "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk" <-- dontuse@ all, it's a spamtrap
Jan 24th 2005 | 10:28 am
#3
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Madrid, Part 1: Getting Started
"Padraig Breathnach" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
<snip>
> The first impression of our apartment was good. The room was large and
> clean, with a basic kitchen, and areas for dining, lounging, and
> sleeping, and there was a good bathroom. The air-conditioning would
> have been welcome in summer, but was not needed at the end of October.
> Two tall windows with balconies allowed us observe the street three
> floors down. The street was the pedestrianised Calle del Principe,
> which links Plaza de Santa Anna with Plaza de Camelejas.
<snip>
>.... the sounds of conviviality on the street below lasted
> for a further three hours. Not really a problem, as we had no need to
> be up early in the morning. And being awake late was an opportunity to
> look at the guidebook and decide how to spend our time.
> --
> PB
> The return address has been MUNGED
Glad the apartment worked out well for your stay. I hadn't thought to
mention the possible street noise since we were on the back side of the
building on a high floor and never really heard any.
GG
news:[email protected]...
<snip>
> The first impression of our apartment was good. The room was large and
> clean, with a basic kitchen, and areas for dining, lounging, and
> sleeping, and there was a good bathroom. The air-conditioning would
> have been welcome in summer, but was not needed at the end of October.
> Two tall windows with balconies allowed us observe the street three
> floors down. The street was the pedestrianised Calle del Principe,
> which links Plaza de Santa Anna with Plaza de Camelejas.
<snip>
>.... the sounds of conviviality on the street below lasted
> for a further three hours. Not really a problem, as we had no need to
> be up early in the morning. And being awake late was an opportunity to
> look at the guidebook and decide how to spend our time.
> --
> PB
> The return address has been MUNGED
Glad the apartment worked out well for your stay. I hadn't thought to
mention the possible street noise since we were on the back side of the
building on a high floor and never really heard any.
GG
Jan 24th 2005 | 3:40 pm
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Madrid, Part 1: Getting Started
> the later mad rush to get off, the long wait at the baggage
> carousel,
I usually make sure I'm last off, when I have checked baggage, unless I have
an aisle seat.
> and the usual annoyance of finding one's way through a
> strange airport and getting to the city it serves.
Thats part of the fun.
> carousel,
I usually make sure I'm last off, when I have checked baggage, unless I have
an aisle seat.
> and the usual annoyance of finding one's way through a
> strange airport and getting to the city it serves.
Thats part of the fun.
Jan 24th 2005 | 8:03 pm
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Madrid, Part 1: Getting Started
Following up to Miss L. Toe
>> and the usual annoyance of finding one's way through a
>> strange airport and getting to the city it serves.
>Thats part of the fun.
airport and fun are two words I seldom link.
--
Mike Reid
Wasdale-Thames path-London-photos "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk" <-- you can email us@ this site
Eat-walk-Spain "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk" <-- dontuse@ all, it's a spamtrap
>> and the usual annoyance of finding one's way through a
>> strange airport and getting to the city it serves.
>Thats part of the fun.
airport and fun are two words I seldom link.
--
Mike Reid
Wasdale-Thames path-London-photos "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk" <-- you can email us@ this site
Eat-walk-Spain "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk" <-- dontuse@ all, it's a spamtrap
Jan 25th 2005 | 4:04 am
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Madrid, Part 1: Getting Started
"Padraig Breathnach" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> like the need to check in long before the flight,
> the wait in the airport,
Not much can be can be done about this, except bringing something
interesting to read while you wait, but ...
> the scrum to board the plane,
There's no need to rush, unless the flight is full and you need to do battle
with the other passengers to get sufficient space in the overhead
compartments for carry-on luggage. I typically wait in the terminal almost
until the final boarding call.
> the later mad rush to get off,
Again, no need to take part in that. My view is that if I've the patience to
sit in my seat throughout a five-hour flight, then extending that to five
hours and ten minutes by sitting still and reading whatever is handy while
everyone else tries to push their way to the front of the plane does wonders
for my stress levels.
> the long wait at the baggage carousel,
In one of your posts, you mentioned that your trips are typically three or
four days in length. Perhaps you could pack lightly and fit everything into
a carry-on bag?
Richard
news:[email protected]...
> like the need to check in long before the flight,
> the wait in the airport,
Not much can be can be done about this, except bringing something
interesting to read while you wait, but ...
> the scrum to board the plane,
There's no need to rush, unless the flight is full and you need to do battle
with the other passengers to get sufficient space in the overhead
compartments for carry-on luggage. I typically wait in the terminal almost
until the final boarding call.
> the later mad rush to get off,
Again, no need to take part in that. My view is that if I've the patience to
sit in my seat throughout a five-hour flight, then extending that to five
hours and ten minutes by sitting still and reading whatever is handy while
everyone else tries to push their way to the front of the plane does wonders
for my stress levels.
> the long wait at the baggage carousel,
In one of your posts, you mentioned that your trips are typically three or
four days in length. Perhaps you could pack lightly and fit everything into
a carry-on bag?
Richard
Jan 25th 2005 | 6:21 am
#7
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Madrid, Part 1: Getting Started
"GG" <[email protected]> wrote:
>"Padraig Breathnach" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected].. .
><snip>
>> The first impression of our apartment was good. The room was large and
>> clean, with a basic kitchen, and areas for dining, lounging, and
>> sleeping, and there was a good bathroom. The air-conditioning would
>> have been welcome in summer, but was not needed at the end of October.
>> Two tall windows with balconies allowed us observe the street three
>> floors down. The street was the pedestrianised Calle del Principe,
>> which links Plaza de Santa Anna with Plaza de Camelejas.
><snip>
>>.... the sounds of conviviality on the street below lasted
>> for a further three hours. Not really a problem, as we had no need to
>> be up early in the morning. And being awake late was an opportunity to
>> look at the guidebook and decide how to spend our time.
>Glad the apartment worked out well for your stay. I hadn't thought to
>mention the possible street noise since we were on the back side of the
>building on a high floor and never really heard any.
I'm glad, too, and thanks again. [GG suggested the accommodation.] I
asked for a room at the back, but none was available.
--
PB
The return address has been MUNGED
>"Padraig Breathnach" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected].. .
><snip>
>> The first impression of our apartment was good. The room was large and
>> clean, with a basic kitchen, and areas for dining, lounging, and
>> sleeping, and there was a good bathroom. The air-conditioning would
>> have been welcome in summer, but was not needed at the end of October.
>> Two tall windows with balconies allowed us observe the street three
>> floors down. The street was the pedestrianised Calle del Principe,
>> which links Plaza de Santa Anna with Plaza de Camelejas.
><snip>
>>.... the sounds of conviviality on the street below lasted
>> for a further three hours. Not really a problem, as we had no need to
>> be up early in the morning. And being awake late was an opportunity to
>> look at the guidebook and decide how to spend our time.
>Glad the apartment worked out well for your stay. I hadn't thought to
>mention the possible street noise since we were on the back side of the
>building on a high floor and never really heard any.
I'm glad, too, and thanks again. [GG suggested the accommodation.] I
asked for a room at the back, but none was available.
--
PB
The return address has been MUNGED
Jan 25th 2005 | 6:24 am
#8
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Madrid, Part 1: Getting Started
"Miss L. Toe" <[email protected]> wrote:
>> the later mad rush to get off, the long wait at the baggage
>> carousel,
>I usually make sure I'm last off, when I have checked baggage, unless I have
>an aisle seat.
I don't rush to get off planes, but they are not the most interesting
places to waste time.
>> and the usual annoyance of finding one's way through a
>> strange airport and getting to the city it serves.
>Thats part of the fun.
I can find an enjoyable side to most things, but airports are more
difficult than almost anything else to do with travel and tourism.
--
PB
The return address has been MUNGED
>> the later mad rush to get off, the long wait at the baggage
>> carousel,
>I usually make sure I'm last off, when I have checked baggage, unless I have
>an aisle seat.
I don't rush to get off planes, but they are not the most interesting
places to waste time.
>> and the usual annoyance of finding one's way through a
>> strange airport and getting to the city it serves.
>Thats part of the fun.
I can find an enjoyable side to most things, but airports are more
difficult than almost anything else to do with travel and tourism.
--
PB
The return address has been MUNGED
Jan 25th 2005 | 6:25 am
#9
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Madrid, Part 1: Getting Started
"Richard" <[email protected]> wrote:
>In one of your posts, you mentioned that your trips are typically three or
>four days in length. Perhaps you could pack lightly and fit everything into
>a carry-on bag?
Perhaps, but Herself might find it a little more difficult.
--
PB
The return address has been MUNGED
>In one of your posts, you mentioned that your trips are typically three or
>four days in length. Perhaps you could pack lightly and fit everything into
>a carry-on bag?
Perhaps, but Herself might find it a little more difficult.
--
PB
The return address has been MUNGED
Jan 25th 2005 | 10:36 am
#10
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Madrid, Part 1: Getting Started
"Richard" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "Padraig Breathnach" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > like the need to check in long before the flight,
> > the wait in the airport,
> Not much can be can be done about this, except bringing something
> interesting to read while you wait, but ...
On-line checkin and boarding card printing at home can help, especially if
you have no checked baggage, or are flying with an airline with a good
hand-luggage allowance.
> > the scrum to board the plane,
> There's no need to rush, unless the flight is full and you need to do
battle
> with the other passengers to get sufficient space in the overhead
> compartments for carry-on luggage. I typically wait in the terminal almost
> until the final boarding call.
Unless you are flying an airline wothout allocated seating, and you like a
certain type of seat.
news:[email protected]...
> "Padraig Breathnach" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > like the need to check in long before the flight,
> > the wait in the airport,
> Not much can be can be done about this, except bringing something
> interesting to read while you wait, but ...
On-line checkin and boarding card printing at home can help, especially if
you have no checked baggage, or are flying with an airline with a good
hand-luggage allowance.
> > the scrum to board the plane,
> There's no need to rush, unless the flight is full and you need to do
battle
> with the other passengers to get sufficient space in the overhead
> compartments for carry-on luggage. I typically wait in the terminal almost
> until the final boarding call.
Unless you are flying an airline wothout allocated seating, and you like a
certain type of seat.
Jan 25th 2005 | 9:02 pm
#11
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Madrid, Part 1: Getting Started
Padraig Breathnach schrieb:
>
> "Miss L. Toe" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> >> the later mad rush to get off, the long wait at the baggage
> >> carousel,
> >
> >I usually make sure I'm last off, when I have checked baggage, unless I have
> >an aisle seat.
> >
> I don't rush to get off planes, but they are not the most interesting
> places to waste time.
If you know checked luggage takes longer than immigration... Or do you
think standing around next to still baggage carousels in more
intersting?
Regards, ULF
>
> "Miss L. Toe" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> >> the later mad rush to get off, the long wait at the baggage
> >> carousel,
> >
> >I usually make sure I'm last off, when I have checked baggage, unless I have
> >an aisle seat.
> >
> I don't rush to get off planes, but they are not the most interesting
> places to waste time.
If you know checked luggage takes longer than immigration... Or do you
think standing around next to still baggage carousels in more
intersting?
Regards, ULF
Jan 25th 2005 | 9:25 pm
#12
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Madrid, Part 1: Getting Started
Ulf Kutzner <[email protected]> wrote:
>Padraig Breathnach schrieb:
>>
>> I don't rush to get off planes, but they are not the most interesting
>> places to waste time.
>If you know checked luggage takes longer than immigration... Or do you
>think standing around next to still baggage carousels in more
>intersting?
The only small consolation is that I am not obliged to stand at the
carousel. I walk up and down to get the circulation going again.
--
PB
The return address has been MUNGED
>Padraig Breathnach schrieb:
>>
>> I don't rush to get off planes, but they are not the most interesting
>> places to waste time.
>If you know checked luggage takes longer than immigration... Or do you
>think standing around next to still baggage carousels in more
>intersting?
The only small consolation is that I am not obliged to stand at the
carousel. I walk up and down to get the circulation going again.
--
PB
The return address has been MUNGED
Jan 25th 2005 | 10:07 pm
#13
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Madrid, Part 1: Getting Started
Following up to Padraig Breathnach
>>In one of your posts, you mentioned that your trips are typically three or
>>four days in length. Perhaps you could pack lightly and fit everything into
>>a carry-on bag?
>Perhaps, but Herself might find it a little more difficult.
snap!
--
Mike Reid
Wasdale-Thames path-London-photos "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk" <-- you can email us@ this site
Eat-walk-Spain "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk" <-- dontuse@ all, it's a spamtrap
>>In one of your posts, you mentioned that your trips are typically three or
>>four days in length. Perhaps you could pack lightly and fit everything into
>>a carry-on bag?
>Perhaps, but Herself might find it a little more difficult.
snap!
--
Mike Reid
Wasdale-Thames path-London-photos "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk" <-- you can email us@ this site
Eat-walk-Spain "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk" <-- dontuse@ all, it's a spamtrap
Jan 25th 2005 | 11:46 pm
#14
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Madrid, Part 1: Getting Started
On Wed, 26 Jan 2005 10:25:59 +0000, Padraig Breathnach
<[email protected]> wrote:
>The only small consolation is that I am not obliged to stand at the
>carousel. I walk up and down to get the circulation going again.
Singing "You'll never walk alone"?
--
Martin
<[email protected]> wrote:
>The only small consolation is that I am not obliged to stand at the
>carousel. I walk up and down to get the circulation going again.
Singing "You'll never walk alone"?
--
Martin
Jan 25th 2005 | 11:58 pm
#15
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Madrid, Part 1: Getting Started
nitram <[email protected]> wrote:
>On Wed, 26 Jan 2005 10:25:59 +0000, Padraig Breathnach
><[email protected]> wrote:
>>The only small consolation is that I am not obliged to stand at the
>>carousel. I walk up and down to get the circulation going again.
>Singing "You'll never walk alone"?
With my voice, if I sang, I'd walk alone.
--
PB
The return address has been MUNGED
>On Wed, 26 Jan 2005 10:25:59 +0000, Padraig Breathnach
><[email protected]> wrote:
>>The only small consolation is that I am not obliged to stand at the
>>carousel. I walk up and down to get the circulation going again.
>Singing "You'll never walk alone"?
With my voice, if I sang, I'd walk alone.
--
PB
The return address has been MUNGED
