Thursday 23rd March 2017: Granada to Madrid

A travelling day.

 

Left Granada by ALSA bus, this time in plenty of time and in the best seats at the front with a clear view of the drivers’ window.  Tips for future Spain tourists:  ALSA buses are good, comfortable and cheap.  Book seats 3 and 4 if you can.  You can book online.

 

Five hour bus trip to Madrid which was very enjoyable.  Started to snow getting close to Madrid after getting sunburnt in Granada two days before.  Through Don Quixote country, windmills and such – must read that book, how is it possible to have got to such an age and having never read a paragraph of it?

Olive trees ... everywhere and so many.  Whole mountains covered with them, an amazing site.

 

Bus terminated at Madrid Estacion Sur meaning a short local train to Madrid Estacion Chamartin.  We negotiated the ticket machine like a pro, then failed what would seem the relatively simple act of getting on the train.  Appears that if you are polite enough to let people off the train first and then jump up the steps to hurl your luggage on and don’t do this within 8.9 seconds (sure there must have been a man with a stop-watch) that they close the door on you, whether or not you are through the door.  Doesn’t matter if you are on the two steps leading to the open door.  Maybe the driver was late or hated people with suitcases or worn-off legs.  Who knows.  Fortunately we were not separated from either the luggage or each other.  Another 30 minute wait and this time the train doors opened for a sensible time.  Note to self:  If at all possible, do not take any luggage that cannot be carried on one’s back anywhere.

 

Arrived at Madrid Chamartin and found the hotel which was literally in an adjoining building.  Nothing fancy but super convenient.  Local area didn’t seem attractive for evening walks so had dinner in hotel and restful evening.  Some unknown logistical challenges satisfactorily negotiated today – taxi/bus/train/hotel.