Boarding the train ahead of us this morning were 3 elderly couples with enough luggage and totes to clothe 10 families. They were all under 5′ and looked as if they would fall through the gap at any moment while they pulled and lugged bags onto the train. They were yelling and bossing each other, paying no mind to the dozen people patiently waiting behind them. I was grabbing bags and lifting them onto the train. Wayne was steadying the women as they mounted the steps. We felt empathy and sympathy until we were onboard & they continued to block the aisle stowing their multitude of bags and arguing about where to sit. Then one of the old men twice pushed me aside in the aisle, and one let the door slam in Wayne’s face. It’s already decided. We’re exiting the opposite end of the car 
Now a word about how the USA could take a lesson on Spanish conservation. Every hotel uses the room key to maintain the electrical current in the room. It slides into a slot by the door. They give you only one key so that when you leave you must take it out of the slot thus automatically shutting off everything. Most escalators begin running as one steps onto the area in front. The hairdryer in one hotel only operated as long as the on switch was held down. And all toilets have the dual flush options.
Other different things
1. Bread is always served. There is always an extra charge for it. There is never butter. We couldn’t decide if we should say, “no pan”, not eat it, or what. So we just paid w/o complaint.
2. An entre is only the protein. And there is no option for sides. I guess it’s a good thing the bread is there.
3. There is very little tipping. The gov’t mandates inclusion within the costs. We do tip.
4. Streets and public places are clean and constantly being cleaned.
5. Cherry trees and magnolias are in bloom.
The ride is beautiful. There are a few pictures on flickr. Try to look beyond the window glare and imagine the valley much greener. Our first change was in Miranda de Ebros a small little station where there are only 4 platforms and a very helpful porter. The country changed dramatically on the ride to our next change, Hendaya, France. We think we were passing the Pyrennes. At any rate they were quite large snow capped mountains.
Arrived on Bordeaux at 4:30. Took a cab to our very charming hotel in the old city. Immediately went to eat something. Can’t tell you how beautiful and full of old world charm this place is. No one appears to be under 22 years of age. And they are everywhere. Tomorrow I will show you through photos the beauty of Bordeaux.
Posted in Travel
Did you see the windmills? Spain and Portugal generate a higher proportion of their electrical power from the wind than anyone else.
We did when flying into Madrid. Nothing from the train though.
What a fantastic photo, what a beautiful landscape!