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MADRID
The Evening of Wednesday, June 7, 2000

by Judy Sadler

Tomorrow was the day that J.D. had been looking forward to throughout the entire trip. TOMORROW would be the day that we would travel by bus to visit Toledo, and TOMORROW he would be able to actually see the sword making process, and TOMORROW J.D. would purchase a rapier for his collection. It was at dinner that Suzy told us that a bus strike was imminent TOMORROW, and so she sent us strolling back through the streets of Madrid without her while she went to the train station to purchase tickets on the train for our trip to Toledo. We learned later that she spent over two hours at that train station.

Strolling through the streets of Madrid is a unique experience. The people of Madrid take a break in the afternoon, called a siesta. This is not a "go to bed" nap, but a snooze and a rest during the hot part of the afternoon. The school children even follow this custom, leaving school for several hours in the early afternoon and returning in the late afternoon to stay until 5:30. This means that they are up and strolling well into the night - often consuming the last meal of the day after 10 PM. We ended our stroll by eating desert at a sidewalk cafe. Then home to bed and much-needed rest. As we had in London and Paris, we slept with our windows open. The window in our room was actually French doors with a small balcony. The view made up for the fact that we had no hot water. I awoke in the night and peered out to see people still strolling at 3 AM.

MADRID
Thursday June 8, 2000

And so dawned the day that J.D. had been dreaming of - the trip to Toledo (pronounced Toe Lay Doe). However, we were given the sad news at breakfast (bread and water, of course) that there would be no Toledo for us. Suzy was unable to get train tickets, and the bus strike was on. J.D. was still determined to go, so several of our group donated $45 toward a cab ride, Suzy arranged with a guide in Toledo to meet J.D., and she then put J.D. in a taxi - giving the taxi driver stern instructions to not overcharge J.D. I can just see the look she gave him - no taxi driver in his right mind would have crossed her.

Melissa, Melaine, Michelle, Nancy, and I, together with one of the other smaller groups, headed out to find the Royal Park while J.D. was venturing to Toledo. Our map showed us that it was to the east of our hotel, and it finally occurred to us that if it was to the east, the sun should be in our faces, not on our backs. So we made an about turn and soon found ourselves in the Royal Park.

Walking into this magnificent park was like walking through the looking glass. All of the cities we'd visited were quite polluted and Madrid was the worst - but the air in the park was like champagne, and we breathed it in in great gulps.

That's JUDY above in the hat

MELAINE AND MICHELLE

MELISSA, MELAINE AND NANCY

After spending a leisurely time in the park, we strolled back, had a coca cola in an air conditioned restaurant, and went our separate ways. Melaine, Michelle, Melissa and Nancy to shop - and I went to try out the siesta that had been so highly recommended.

I awoke in plenty of time to prepare for Tapas and lo and behold, our J.D. was back and he was back WITH HIS RAPIER. J.D. was our most determined and resourceful group member, and he had had a wonderful time in Toledo and came home with his rapier and a big smile upon his face.

THERE WILL BE A BIG PICTURE OF JD AND HIS RAPIER RIGHT HERE IF HE EVER GETS WITH ME SO I CAN TAKE IT

This is a picture of a Toledo Castle

Toledo Web Site

Our group now gathered in the entryway of the hotel and we were soon following Suzy through the winding streets to the Tapas Feast. This is a festive meal that is composed of appetizer sized portions, a very nice way to get a taste of several of the native dishes (no chicken - hooray). We also had live entertainment - troubadours. It was most festive, and I think this was our happiest meal together.

For more information about Tapas, go to Tapas Web Site