June 27, 2015 - Madrid

We had purchased tickets the day before at the Mayor Square Tourist Information office for the Madrid City Tour hop on hop off bus.  We bought the 2 day pass (not 48 hours) which is why we didn't start the tour yesterday.

We were entertained at one stop by this juggling clown.

You will see almost all of the American fast food places in Madrid along with TGI Fridays and Tony Roma's.

Thought about going and seeing the Lion King.

There are still lots of young adults that back-pack across Europe.

I feel like someone is watching me.

I would love to make one of these when we get home.

After completing the two bus routes we seperated from Fred and Elaine at least for a bit.  It was funny because we ended up seeing each other at Burger King.  I have eaten more American fast food since we have been here than I have in a year at home.  But I do think there is some comfort in eating something familiar when you are traveling far from home.

Madrid Atocha train station

The Spanish must also love their books.  There were lots of book sellers lined against the back side of the botanical garden.

We walked through part of the Retiro Park

The Boating Lake

I would love to spend a cool afternoon on this little lake.

There were lots of fish in the lake.

Even Mickey and Minnie have to go on vacation from Disney.

We walked around the outside of the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.  

We walked into the Museo del Jamón.

Sat in a cafe and had a Cerveza con limon, Sangria and some olives.  We were killing some time until 6:00 when the Prada opens for two hours to the public for free.

There was a line established over to the side of the Prada for those waiting for the free tickets to get in.  The line got quite long but it went fast.

As we were heading back to the hotel we saw a wedding about to take place.  We stopped at a pizza place near the hotel and thought we would get some pizza and then head to the pool to go swimming.  So we get our suits on and grab the pizza and head upstairs and just our luck the door was locked, yep the pool closed at 9:00.  So it was pizza in bed instead.

June 24, 2015 - Santiago de Compostela

There was still a crowd outside our gate when we were leaving to catch the bus to Santiago de Compostela.   Fred made a new friend as he guarded the gate while we got the bags down and closed up the apartment.

The clean-up crew was hard at work cleaning all the streets and sidewalks.  

We had to walk up the street to the Taxi stand and then wait a bit until there was finally an empty taxi going by on the other side and we motioned that we needed a taxi so he turned around and we walked down to meet him since he got caught behind the street sweeper.  Some of the taxi's were not wanting to stop because there were quite a few younger adults that I don't think they wanted in their cars since they seemed a little worse for wear.

We made it to the bus station in record time since there wasn't very many people on the road.  Elaine and I picked up some items from the bakery to eat for breakfast.  The bus came and we loaded up.  

We practically had the bus to ourselves.

The bus took 4 hours but we also changed time zones so we arrived in Santiago 5 hours later.4

After a night  of very little sleep due to the loud music all night we were all very tired. Tonight we should get plenty of quiet since we are staying in a monastery.  

There were little salons/sitting areas all over the hotel for people to gather in.  There are a lot of people from all over the world that stay here after completing the Santiago trail.

The end of the trail is right across from the entrance to our nights lodging.

We stayed at the Hospederia San Martin Pinario which I had booked through booking.com

There was a craft and food fair that just started the day we got there and of course we had to check it out.

This guy was selling all kinds of teas and spices.

The old town streets were quaint and fun to walk through.

There were all sorts of different shops to check out.

Roger had to test the water out.

I of course had to check out the Chocolate con churros.

I was very happy with my choice at the Cafe Bar Derby.

I wish I could have truly captured this woman.  She was busy at work with writing out cards or letters that were placed in some beautiful envelopes.  Then I see her checking her messages on her cell phone and all I can picture her as is a fortune teller.

Again you would walk down these little streets and then come out into a big open square.

We walked through the Cathedral.

Elaine and Fred took Roger & I out to a lovely dinner to celebrate Roger's 50th birthday.