While I have been to the main train station in Madrid, the Atocha Station, this was my first time to the Chamartin Station. We took a taxi after breakfast. Since I had bought the first class tickets, we could stay in the Club Sala - free wifi, beverages and snacks for up to two hours before departure. It made the wait at the train station quite nice.
When we boarded the train, we had two of the middle seats which are the only ones that face two other seats. Across from us were two other Americans, Paul and Mary. It turns out there were also going with Camino Ways and would be having their luggage transferred each night from hotel to hotel - but they were going on the Camino Frances from Sarria to Santiago while we were going on the Camino Mozarabe from Ourense to Santiago. We spent the five hours getting to know each other and had a very nice time. We agreed to meet up in Santiago for dinner. They live in Salem, OR, and of course want us to visit when we next go to Portland to visit Martha and Ben.
Our lodging for the night was the Princess Hotel. I found it quite amusing that we had a square toilet. When I posted this online and asked what kind of person would use such a toilet, the perfect response was "Sponge Bob Square Pants."
After getting settled in our room, we set out to explore and find a place for dinner. At one busy plaza, we came across this peregrino (pilgrim) who had wandered off the Camino.
We came across another pastry shop that my sister Helen would love, especially the decorated cakes.
We found a great little restaurant called Serrano de Lepanto. It had the most interesting decorations, from bicycles to hams. The menu was not in English, but we had a nice Belgian waitress who spoke some English and helped us with our choices.
After dinner, on the way back to the hotel, we came across this dress shop with this amazing display - we thought this would be a great dress for Martha.
When we boarded the train, we had two of the middle seats which are the only ones that face two other seats. Across from us were two other Americans, Paul and Mary. It turns out there were also going with Camino Ways and would be having their luggage transferred each night from hotel to hotel - but they were going on the Camino Frances from Sarria to Santiago while we were going on the Camino Mozarabe from Ourense to Santiago. We spent the five hours getting to know each other and had a very nice time. We agreed to meet up in Santiago for dinner. They live in Salem, OR, and of course want us to visit when we next go to Portland to visit Martha and Ben.
Our lodging for the night was the Princess Hotel. I found it quite amusing that we had a square toilet. When I posted this online and asked what kind of person would use such a toilet, the perfect response was "Sponge Bob Square Pants."
After getting settled in our room, we set out to explore and find a place for dinner. At one busy plaza, we came across this peregrino (pilgrim) who had wandered off the Camino.
We came across another pastry shop that my sister Helen would love, especially the decorated cakes.
We found a great little restaurant called Serrano de Lepanto. It had the most interesting decorations, from bicycles to hams. The menu was not in English, but we had a nice Belgian waitress who spoke some English and helped us with our choices.
After dinner, on the way back to the hotel, we came across this dress shop with this amazing display - we thought this would be a great dress for Martha.
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