As fast as Flamenco feet

Friday, 2-Sept, we had a morning train to Barcelona to catch. Not just any train, the Spanish national service, Renfe, high speed rail. From Madrid to Barcelona is about 314 mi (506 km) with an arrival time of  2 hr 30 min.  That’s about 126 mph (202 kph). 

Anyway, the coolest thing about the Madrid Atocha rail station was the lush tropical foliage and ponds with lily pads. And turtles! (Interesting that a high speed rail station has hundreds of a species known for a more measured pace.)

Yes, the ponds were home to mostly red-eared terrapins that were abandoned pets. Sadly, they have been relocated to a nature preserve outside the city due to cannibalism.

Traveling makes one feel like they are in a video game that you haven’t received all the rules to play. Interpreting the signs correctly in a foreign land is a skill to learn and master. For example, I see this in the rail car.

Then, I see the sign below.I instantly recognize it to mean 1) use tool against giant spider, 2) smear guts of spider, 3) or just use the Force.

The Barcelona abode was in a great location. Right off Plaza Catalunya, the origin point between old and new. Plus, we were across the street from the Spanish department store, El Corte Inglés (the English cut, you know, as in suits).

So we get situated at the apartment we’re renting and head out for some lunch. Decided on the top floor cafeteria of El Corte Inglés. Very good because it is like a food court at the good mall you still go to. Six different cuisines…

Pizza they cut with scissors…

Picturesque views of the city…

But the most impressive thing we’re these!

I could talk about the Gothic Quarter and the Picasso Museum, but this was the real focus of the night.