Well, here we are on our fourth and final day in Madrid and it has been a true test of wits. What we thought would be a day of wandering the city to catch the last of the sights has turned to a day tucked into the back corner of an internet cafe trying to straighten out our travels. We sat here as we watched our daily allowance slip away between expensive phone calls to the States to have the hold on our credit card lifted, because someone at Capital One forgot to transfer the note that we would be traveling to an actual advisory. Also by trying to make reservations in the next town we will arrive in, Porto, Portugal. By trying to pay FPL and Verizon from abroad, impossible! And by trying to add money to our international cell phone. So far, we await success in any of those endeavors. However, we are not allowing it to dampen our spirits. We have decided to take whatever meager change is returned to us from the Internet Cafe´s personable Indian resident and purchase a Mahou beer...to share!
In summary, our observations of Madrid have concluded as such. It is a beautiful city that melds the historic with the modern. It is a city that has trouble, as do all major cities. We went through a rather seedy part of town to get to this internet cafe. However, this city also charges toward the future with a very comprehensive recycling program. Most inhabitants prefer to smash their wine bottles into the receptacle at 2:00am. They have an incredible transportation system, though many people walk. And, the boats in the lakes of their public parks are powered by solar cells. Very historic, yet very progressive. A pleasant mix and one that ¨I HOPE¨ my own country can adopt in an effor to preserve it´s past and protect it´s future.
This is the third post in three days. Please do not get used to this. We are just starting with a bang. Our next post should probably be tomorrow advising of our impressions of Porto. If not, we shall enter by Lisbon. We love and miss you all. Wish us luck as we try to work out the bugs in this traveling system.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
6 comments:
ahrrrwrrr...ruff-ruff...bow-wow...grrrr (just kidding)...woff-woff!
Hi Mom and Dad! I miss you both but am having a lot of fun here with grandpa, grandma, Auntie Re and Jeremy.
I have been taking my medicine and eating well, although I haven't had any Doritos or cheese yet:(
I do enjoy hanging out under Jeremy's high chair at mealtime just in case anything yummy goes overboard.
Jeremy and I have lots of fun together. Sometimes we just hang out comfy, comfy style, he loves following me around with Milo's leash and giggles like crazy when I follow him around. Oh, and he loves giving me doggie snacks and of course I love that too.
Well, until next time, I love and miss you both.
Aphrodite :)
Hello Idalis and Kevin! This is Lisa (Ivans girlfriend). Although I was unable to meet you before your departure I wanted to wish you both a happy, healthy and amazing trip together. I have kept myself updated through vagalong and of course Ivan who has much love and support for the both of you. I know this adventure will be one of the most uplifting, educational and incredible experiences of your lives. I just wanted to let you know I wish you both the best of luck throughout your travels. As for now I will look forward to reading many incredible stories and lessons of your adventure. Have Fun!
i did a little site-seeing of my own today. kevin has never heard of this place, but idalis should remember. i went to cowtown. for those of you who don't know it's an outdoor/indoor market. it is the furthest thing from madrid-nesque. i saw some cows, horses, dolce and gabana purse knockoffs, some more cows, then some horses. there are the same amount of cows as there are knockoff purses. i kid you not! can you sense the jealousy? spain is a country i must visit before i leave this world. especially since i learned while in miami that our roots are from there. so i guess it's only right to have some kind of connection with that place.
i was happy to hear that your picnic turned out well...quite the romance there. truth is, i taught kevin every method of swooning my sis! i just remember the last time we tried to do a picnic on the beach. dad revealed how he should be in this year's olympics for speed walking. certainly would've gotten the gold for endurance. love you, dad.
hang in there peeps. every day you wake up to will have its own challenges, but will also be full of great sites, love and happiness....the simple things in life that will take your breath away. and if nothing else, its a world away from the monotony that life can be riddled with. ojala que te vaya mejor! if there's anyway i can help from out here, please let me know. i expect a lot of laughs and smiles from you both during your travels. we will share those with your by means of this blog. it really makes my day knowing about your travels. so, thank you. i promised myself to try to keep this short. its funny, in school if i had a 500 word essay to write i always ended up 250 short and just had to b.s. my way through the rest of it. i'm glad there's no limit to these blogs and there's no need for b.s. much like your trip: no limit to the experiences and challenges, may contain a little b.s. because of some inconveniences...but all in all, it will be complete!
geez...it's STILL long!
Hey guys! Sounds great even if you have had a few hiccups along the way. We missed you at Zeke's the other night but I'm sure a Mahou in Spain beats a Mahou on Lincoln Road! Enjoy Portugal. We look forward to reading all about it. Much Love - Katie
Hey, guys it's pop-a-long.
I'm home from work early today because the county released us because of tropical storm Fay. So I thought I'd pop in and say hello.
Miss you guys already, but will see you in about three weeks for our adventure in Italy. I can see by reading you blog it's been an adventure already bill paying, credit cards etc). But not to worry you'll get through all that and after reading your blog it sounds like it is already behind you.
I'll say farewell and God Bless.
Post a Comment