SEPT 10-11 2012 THE BEGINNING (PART ONE)

SEPT 10-11 2012  THE BEGINNING (PART ONE)

Our journey begins, sunny hot and humid in Florida on our way to Orlando with Cathie and Kade. Kade our grandson is suffering with either allergies or the beginnings of a cold. Anyway he has learned quickly that he does not like the coughing and running nose thing. Anyway to the airport in plenty of time and thru security at the CLEAR checkpoint and on up to Atlanta. Of course in Atlanta our flight leaves from Gate E-1 which is at the very end of the wing or the longest walk from the terminal. Here we go with the exercise on vacation! Good fast flight across the pond nothing to mention except Jane found an Italian Pinot Griego wine that she liked and Paul noticed that the lie flat beds are designed for folks no taller than 5’ 10” . We must have slept some on the plane because we arrived fresh and chipper ready to start the adventures. No Opel   Insignia at the Hertz counter so we accepted a fancy Skoda model with only 10,000 Kilometers on the clock and no dinges or scraps noted. Off we set towards Toledo but Paul had other plans we drove smack into Madrid AM rush hour traffic past the Amercian Embassy and directly to the apartment of los Tios Anna/Miguelito who were not answering their home phone I mention this because Paul found his way entirely from memory and without using the Garmin to navigate. So we did not hunt for a parking place. Sunny and about 89 for our first day in Spain but very little humidity at all.

Drove down to Toledo and began the search for the Hostal del Cardenal. As usual, the signs take you in and then leave you flat! We drove around one traffic circle 3 times before I got out and asked a traffic cop when the hotel was! He pointed behind me and said right there! Damn! Must have been because we were operating on very little sleep!  We pulled into the little parking area and I was sent forth, with my superior Spanish, to find reception. I walked through ancient arched gates to a lovely verdant patio, walked through a restaurant, skirted a fountain, climbed over 30 stone steps, to more steps and voila! Reception, up more steps! I knew Paul was not going to be happy! I checked in and pressed Javier into service to help us with our bags, You should have heard Paul cussing when we reached reception to find out there was no elevator and we had to go UP again!

We settled in and then headed out to find a bite to eat. It was pushing 2PM and the Menu del dia was beckoning. We found a place very close with decent food, ate and went back to rest and recuperate with a siesta.