Tuesday, December 29, 2015
¡Hola!
Después de un vuelo largo, tres comidas de avión , y no dormir mucho , estamos en España !
(Sorry - long flight, three airline meals and not much sleep - we are in Spain!)
We were so afraid that the storm that tore through Texas would tear through Atlanta just about the time we were to take off. We had a tight connection as it was...but thanks to a Hartsfield Jackson ambassador, we were only minutes away from the International terminal via train. Whew! And no delays...yay!
We'd found a great deal on Delta that allowed us to upgrade to business class. And now - wouldn't you know it - I'm spoiled. I am never going back to coach. I can't. I won't. The 767 we were on had lie-flat pods...best sleep I've ever had on an overnight flight. Nope. Never going back. Damn you, Delta. BTW - I would have inserted a picture of our luxurious accommodations here, but I was sleeping and didn't take a pic.
The food wasn't bad either. My only complaint was that there was so much of it! We had three meals in under ten hours. Plus snacks, plus drinks. geez.
We arrived and headed to our hotel. Unfortunately our room wasn't ready yet, but they let us use the spa facilities to freshen up. We stowed our bags and set out to see what we could see. We really wanted to go to the Reina Sofia museum first - it's where Guernica hangs. But, as per usual where our superpower is concerned, it's closed on Tuesdays. (We totally have a knack for choosing destinations that just happen to be closed.) So, instead, we went to the Prado. The Reina Sofia and the Prado (as well as the Thyssen-Bornemisza) museums are an easy walk from each other.
The Prado is grand and glorious in its reverence of Spanish and European-influenced art. There is majesty in the collection. There was also majesty in the pain afflicting my feet and legs after walking around in there for almost four hours.
We got back to the hotel to find our room ready and waiting. I could not hit the pillow fast enough.
About 7:30 (totally early for dinner in Spain) we woke up starving. Still tired, though, we chose to eat in the hotel restaurant. We were the ONLY people in there. We'll get our local on tomorrow. For now...it's back to sleep! Buenos noches.
Saturday, December 26, 2015
How to pack for almost a month in a 50 lb suitcase
I have no idea.
Just kidding. Although the task seems almost impossible, but it's actually easy when you follow these six steps:
1) Choose a single color palette. I used to take brown shoes, black shoes, tan shoes, a brown purse, a gray purse, a pink scarf, a green scarf...you get the idea. Choosing a single color palette, automatically streamlines your suitcase. Since just about everything goes with black, I now take only black shoes - a pair for walking around and a dress pair. I take one black purse - suitable for all occasions, large enough to hold the necessities and with a single strap (so it stays close to my body). I take a couple of scarves, but they're multi-colored and work overtime matching up with several outfits.
2) Choose close-knit, lightweight tops and sweaters - they layer well for different weather days and fold easily without much bulk. It's also a plus if they're a single color. A pink tee gives a pop of color under a black top and a colorful scarf pulls the outfit together. Later in the trip, reverse it and put the black under the pink. Make sure everything you take is something you can wear at least twice.
3) Choose undergarments that are quick-dry and plan to wash them yourself at some point during your trip. It costs about a gabillion dollars to send out laundry from a hotel. And it really irks me to spend money laundering underwear when I could be spending it on a delicious dinner. Just look around, there are tons of web sites that sell the "best travel underwear." Travel underwear is usually very lightweight and totally packable. Bonus: In most hotels, there's a clothesline that stretches over the bathtub. Since you PLAN to wash undergarments along the way, you won't need to pack as many.
4) Streamline your toiletries. Unless you have some real reason for taking your personal shampoo, conditioner, and lotion, take advantage of the hotel's generosity. Look for items that are made for travel. packets of aspirin take up much less space than the whole bottle. I've found single packets of nail polish remover, make-up remover, anti-bacterial ointment, etc. You can buy small towels that come in discs no larger than an alka-seltzer - just add water. Even deodorant has been reduced to single towelettes. Poke around on the web, and you'll turn that giant toiletries bag into a sleek clutch.
5) Finally, when you're packing, press as much air out of each folded item as you can. My mother-in-law uses space bags when she packs (you know, those bags that suck all the air out and reduce the acreage the clothes take up by over half). Air is the enemy. Be careful, though...I once packed a small bag so tightly, I had to pay an extra weight charge.
6) Above all, choose suitcases that are sturdy and well-made. I've had zippers split or stick. I've had the little zipper handles break off. I've had leather handles break away from the top of the bag and those telescoping handles stop telescoping. And we've all had wheels come off. Invest in a good suitcase - you'll be glad you did.
Well, I'm off to start packing. I wonder where my voltage adapters are...
By the way - what's your favorite packing tip?
Just kidding. Although the task seems almost impossible, but it's actually easy when you follow these six steps:
1) Choose a single color palette. I used to take brown shoes, black shoes, tan shoes, a brown purse, a gray purse, a pink scarf, a green scarf...you get the idea. Choosing a single color palette, automatically streamlines your suitcase. Since just about everything goes with black, I now take only black shoes - a pair for walking around and a dress pair. I take one black purse - suitable for all occasions, large enough to hold the necessities and with a single strap (so it stays close to my body). I take a couple of scarves, but they're multi-colored and work overtime matching up with several outfits.
2) Choose close-knit, lightweight tops and sweaters - they layer well for different weather days and fold easily without much bulk. It's also a plus if they're a single color. A pink tee gives a pop of color under a black top and a colorful scarf pulls the outfit together. Later in the trip, reverse it and put the black under the pink. Make sure everything you take is something you can wear at least twice.
3) Choose undergarments that are quick-dry and plan to wash them yourself at some point during your trip. It costs about a gabillion dollars to send out laundry from a hotel. And it really irks me to spend money laundering underwear when I could be spending it on a delicious dinner. Just look around, there are tons of web sites that sell the "best travel underwear." Travel underwear is usually very lightweight and totally packable. Bonus: In most hotels, there's a clothesline that stretches over the bathtub. Since you PLAN to wash undergarments along the way, you won't need to pack as many.
4) Streamline your toiletries. Unless you have some real reason for taking your personal shampoo, conditioner, and lotion, take advantage of the hotel's generosity. Look for items that are made for travel. packets of aspirin take up much less space than the whole bottle. I've found single packets of nail polish remover, make-up remover, anti-bacterial ointment, etc. You can buy small towels that come in discs no larger than an alka-seltzer - just add water. Even deodorant has been reduced to single towelettes. Poke around on the web, and you'll turn that giant toiletries bag into a sleek clutch.
5) Finally, when you're packing, press as much air out of each folded item as you can. My mother-in-law uses space bags when she packs (you know, those bags that suck all the air out and reduce the acreage the clothes take up by over half). Air is the enemy. Be careful, though...I once packed a small bag so tightly, I had to pay an extra weight charge.
6) Above all, choose suitcases that are sturdy and well-made. I've had zippers split or stick. I've had the little zipper handles break off. I've had leather handles break away from the top of the bag and those telescoping handles stop telescoping. And we've all had wheels come off. Invest in a good suitcase - you'll be glad you did.
Well, I'm off to start packing. I wonder where my voltage adapters are...
By the way - what's your favorite packing tip?
Friday, December 25, 2015
Merry Christmas! And here we go, again!
Apparently we just can't be still; we leave Monday for a 24-day trip to Spain. New Year's in Madrid, Epiphany in Barcelona, then on to Seville, Santiago de Compostela (no, we're not doing the pilgrimage), Oveido and back to Madrid before heading home.
Our friend Roberto Torrini - the one who planned our trip to Italy several years ago - has come up with an AMAZING itinerary for us. We have some awesome tours, some great local culture opportunities, dozens of good food recos, wine and ham tastings, flamenco shows, a festive New Year's Eve party, and, of course, plenty of time built in to relax and explore on our own. We highly recommend him and his company Interpro Travel.
So check in once in a while and see what we're up to! ¡Salud!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)