Buenos Dias Spain

 I never thought of myself as a hick but seeing so many things that the "world" knows about but I didn't baffles me.  The plane to Madrid was huge.  Steve and I sat in the last row so it took a while to get to our seats but when we landed there was a back door that passengers could leave out of.  Wow, a front and back door.  That's pretty smart.  A crisis almost occurred at baggage area.  Our tour directors luggage was not coming off the conveyor belt.  I don't know how long we watched the same bags go round and round.  I could tell Bennie was getting worried.  She made a couple of trips to the airlines office about it.  There was one suitcase that looked like hers but didn't have the pink sunglasses on it or the sticker, but as it turns out it was hers and those markings just fell off I guess.  I am sure Bennie was relieved. 

Remember how I told you the ground floor is numbered zero.  Well, at this hotel, there is also a -1 and -2 floor.  I don't know if that takes you to the catacombs or not.  That was very interesting though.  I had never seen that before.

Did I tell you how well behaved dogs seem to be here in Europe.  Not only are they allowed to go in so many establishments but I never heard them bark or growl at anyone.  Maybe they are used to all the strangers.  Of the American restaurants I have seen McDonalds and Burger King the most in all the countries.  Bennie said these two are consider cheaper in price and the high class one is Five Guys.  In the lobby in Spain, they did offer to carry our luggage to our room.  However, I think London's biscuits in the lobby beats the suitcase offer.  Those biscuits(cookies) tastes like shortbread cookies.  Yum.  

We went to where they have bullfighting.  I learned some regions in Spain have made bullfighting illegal, however, Madrid it is still legal.  We were serenaded at restaurants.  We went to see Spanish dancers (Flamenco).  We even went to the Prado Museum.  You could say we got a little glimpse into the culture of this city.  

Today is our last day in Madrid.  We are meeting with the whole group tonight to say goodbye.  Steve and I bought Bennie a little gift to be from all of us.  The whole group loved her.  We met some great people on the tour.  We got a long great and Bennie was wonderful!  

I guess this will be my last blog.  I should be traveling home tomorrow.  Steve and I don't regret a minute of it.  I ate different foods, some even by mistake.  I thought I was eating an onion ring and it was Calamari.  I had a limoncillo, although I ordered lemonade.  I ate veal.  I had shrimp croquettes, I could go on.  The food was amazing.  And as much as I ate I don't think I gained any weight because I walked so much.  My muscles would scream out at the end of the day, but the next day I was ready to go.  I think when I get home I need to schedule an appointment with a massage therapist.  I have enjoyed learning different languages and actually being able to speak it to people.  Even if it was only greetings. I learned about different countries cultures and their heritage.  I learned and experienced so much.  This has to be one of the experiences of my life.