Road trip Segovia

Segovia is a town 70 miles northwest of Madrid. It has three big attractions: Medieval Alcazar Castle, an aquaduct built by the Romans (called the Aquaduct by the locals), and the aptly named Segovia Cathedral. 

Nora let us borrow her Toyota to make the trip. We were looking forward to get the non-metropolitan Spanish experience. All we had to do was get to Nora’s place.

But I’m getting ahead of myself. Earlier, as per usual, I wanted to help Sandra start her day in a familiar way. Coffee to boot her up. Now I learned a lesson from yesterday. Previously, we stopped by a small place called Cafe Mexicano. Sounds exotic, yet familiar. Ordered a large cappuccino.

It was NOT an SUV-driving, work a double shift, super-size-it-cause-I-live-in-‘Murica large. Hence, today, Andrea and I went to Starbucks to get Sandra’s daily octane boost in a morally sufficient, God-fearing quantity. 

As I write this I have the hotel room balcony door open, because nights here are cool and comfortable. It is not late…for Madrid, just 12:29 am. Thus, I hear laughing, talking, bodega customers, shrieking hen parties, trash trucks driving, and, finally, Euro-style emergency sirens.

Just another Tuesday. 

Anyway, little did I know that the Seattle java giant would portend other US cultural staples in our day. It started with what was supposed to be breakfast. Did I mention that things run late here? Yeah, despite dozens of charming independent bakeries, sandwich shops, and bistros within a 10 minute walk, hardly any were open at 10:30! Those that were had packed lines. 

Where did we go? 2 peckish women + 1 hungry dude equals “5 Guys”. 

We did the Castle. Very cool. Walt Disney thought so, too.

We did the Aquaduct. Amazing that it was built without concrete. Self-supporting with structural arches. 

We did not get to the Cathedral. However, we are committed to enjoying ourselves despite not everything going according to plan. Thus, we improvised.

Hence, we did the Arches of Gold. 

However, we did venture beyond the Aquaduct to embrace the local customs. 

What is joy?

There are many reasons to be cynical in this world. Receiving a costume from your favorite movie and tv show is not one of them. See for yourself. 

But for those of who believe the world to be full of fakers, frauds, cheats, and con artists, it’s hard to refute. But then again, I’m sure these gentlemen are only selling the finest crafted, authentic luxury goods.

La Mallorquina. If it is not the best bakery in the Puerto del Sol district, then slap me silly and call me Cletus. 

I mean, any place that ties up their legendary chocolate croissants with wrapping paper and twine must know they can back up any pretensions. 

Today, 29-August, is Nora’s birthday. Interesting tradition Spain has. The birthday person treats their celebration guests. Uh, yeah. Nora invited us to a really nice seafood restaurant, La Maruca. 

Of course, we went. Wouldn’t want to disappoint anyone on their birthday, would we?

It was either that or this really obscure Latin American establishment. 

Random Tip: do not let the buskers see you take a photo of them. Why? A person in their koala costume could follow you. 

Be sneaky and get the Transformers as they look the other way. 

Madrid’s Prado Museum is one of the world’s great collections of classical art. You know what you learn pretty quick? Renaissance artists do love Jesus. Innocent baby Jesus. Dying on the cross Jesus. Floating in the sky Jesus. 

 

I took this one of Sandra and Andrea before I learned photography was not allowed. There was a really interesting one by Spanish painter Velazquez.

Before I read what it was, my title for the piece was “A Raven brings a Quarter Pounder”.

Arrival

NOTE: As you can see, I have not been the most diligent blogger. However, I’ve decided this would be the best way to keep folks informed of our journey. It may generally be in chronological order. Or it may not. Initial postings will be focused on timeliness and quick impressions. Edits, deeper discussion, and the profound will happen in revisions. 

The date of departure, 27-August, for our European trip finally arrived. Getting from DFW to MAD has been on our mind for over a year. Beyond the tourism, we had a special family member we needed to see. What was not on our mind? The 7 hr time zone difference and our 10 hr flight. See how excited we are?

Well, as we were en route, all of us realized something crucial. Airlines must believe passengers have no legs. Yup. The discomfort was nontrivial. None of us slept. 

However, when we landed and went through the immediate rituals of deplaning, customs, and acquiring our luggage, our thoughts turned to the rendezvous with Nora, Clara, and Daniel. 

And then Clara reminded us why we’re here. 

What do you get when a bright, precocious, outgoing child meets a kind, welcoming, generous soul? This. 

Also, here is Nora following her boyfriend Daniel with her daughter Clara thrilled to finally meet Aunt Andrea and “Great Aunt” Sandra. 

Last, but not least, this journey will be accompanied by Mabel the duck and Doug the dog. Here they are waiting for us to finish packing.