Madrid is the capital and the largest city (3 million) in Spain. Located directly in the center of Spain, Madrid is considered to be the fastest paced and most stressed city in the country. Today, we depart Madrid for the second stop on our journey…Valencia. By contrast, Valencia is a smaller city (800,000) located on the east coast. Valencia is known for its seafood, beaches, and more relaxed style of living. (Honestly, I felt Madrid was pretty liaise fair!)
We were fortunate to take a bus to the train station, which was very helpful for our large group. We arrived at the train station one hour prior to departure which turned out to be more than enough time. Similar to an airport, we put our luggage through a security screener. However, no need to remove your shoes or computers here! Next task is to find which our train via (gate). This is announced only a few minutes before departure which can be stressful. Once the announcement is made, you navigate all of your luggage to your car. Quick tip: If you have a large luggage bag, you will likely be charged extra (10 euro per bag) so it is helpful to pack lighter if traveling by train. There is overhead storage and some space for large bags but not much.
The high speed train system connects Madrid to all major cities in the country, a point of pride among Madrilenos. The train is clean, smooth, and of course fast! The ride is only slightly more bumpy than a flight. There are restrooms and free WiFi. No stewards bringing you snacks but there is a coffee bar and vending machines. Surprisingly no seat belts considering the rocket style speed of this baby! You can move about from car to car and probably play out your favorite James Bond chase scene (I’m guessing, these guys are cool).
Large windows create an airy feeling and allow for good views of the landscape. The landscape on our journey is very pretty. Alternating between flat plains and rolling hills, the terrain is peppered with flowers, olive trees, and of course vineyard vines. Similar to Iowa, there are a number of large windmills. This makes me miss home. Unlike Iowa, there are very few private cars or semi trucks, which I suppose is the point of having such a public transit system.
While here in Valencia, we will stay in a dorm on the University campus, which is located conveniently one block away from the beach. The dorm comes complete with a gym, restaurant, and pool. I haven’t slept in a dorm room for nearly 25 years. They don’t make them like they used to.
No comments:
Post a Comment