After a great nights sleep in our hotel in Madrid the day began with a light breakfast and successfully packing everything onto our bicycles. Then we made a quick visit to a neighborhood bike shop to pick up a few minor items and air up our tires. Hannah wisely convinced me to take the train with her up to Chamartin the northern rail departure terminal and we arrived 90 minutes early for our 3 PM departure.
At this point I was a little disappointed, thinking it would be an uneventful day, when I had promised Hannah that every day would be an adventure. But when we went to purchase out tickets we were told that bicycles were not allowed on the train!!! BIG disappointment, but Hannah [I really liked her thinking] thought we should just try to get on anyway. Well even her whilley charms and winning smile did not work with the stern train conductor. Hummiliation followed by disappointment followed by anger and then tears came in quick succession. Now what? We had a 7 hour wait until the sleeper at 10:30 left and we were exhausted having been ready for a restful relaxing train ride. So we cycled to a nice little nearby park and took a siesta, after all, we had an air pad and sleeping bag. After an hour we woke to a park filled with children playing a soccer game and families setting up for dinner.
Then the next thing we knew Alberto, who had been out for a run and was the nicest young man stopped by to chat. We had a lovely afternoon and Hannah made a fast return to her fluent Spanish.
Well the next thing you know we stopped by Alberto's house to pick up his bicycle [he is a competitive triathlete] and rode off together to a great hamburger place for dinner. We made a great new friend in Madrid who escorted us to the night train and saw us safely off to Santiago.
I am now falling asleep in the cozyest little bunk bed being rocked to sleep by the rolling train. Hannah is in the upper bunk. We arrive tomorrow in Santiago at 7 and will begin to unravel el Camino.
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