Rest Day - Travel Day

Thursday, March 05, 2009 Madrid
Today has been a day of rest.. this morning we did up our laundry and repacked our big suitcases. We got a new roomie last night…
He is from Lisbon and speaks limited English but seems to be a very nice young man. Recardo was having problems working the door lock about 11 last night so I let him in…only took him a short time before we everyone was tucked in and ready for sleep. Oh yes, the young man in the picture I sent yesterday is named Shawn and is American but was raised in Australia. He is traveling by himself and seems to be lonely so has been talking to us quite a bit. Both of them have gone out today to visit the museums that we recommended to them. We even gave our map to our new room mate as we will have no further need for it. Taught Martha a new card game, Double Solitaire, and we have played several good games of this today The only time we have gone out today was to buy groceries for the next couple of days. Weather is cool and is raining off and on … so it’s good to stay inside.

Friday, March 6, 2009 On our way to Barcelona by Bus
We both woke up very early and decided to make our way by taxi to catch the bus to Barcelona so that we would arrive here during the daylight. We were so early that we had wait an hour for the station to open but once in, with help, Martha was able to purchase our bus tickets..this was good as the windows did not open till later… any way we caught the 6:15 AM bus and with a taxi ride we are at our BPC Hostel in Barcelona.
Oh yes, we have run out of our mixed nuts…. A staple of our diet… yesterday we purchased 2 tiny bags at 2 euros each but must say they are very good walnuts and tasted great on our bus picnic today.
The scenery on the road was beautiful … we went again, as on trip to Granada, through the mountains (with snow) and then it was back to fields and areas that looked a lot like the US Southwest. Of course we eventually ended up driving along the Mediterranean Sea just before coming into Barcelona…. A very pretty drive…. We do like using the bus, each time we have had an extra seat to stretch out on…. But next we will be doing the train on way to Lourdes France. Oh yes we have been computing here in the eating area with a very nice girl, Shelly, who is from Boston and traveling alone.... Have a Buenos dias and Adios for now.