I’m finally here- pinching myself!

There were moments that I didn’t think I’d make it though. I stayed in Madrid last night and after a leisurely breakfast of all things buffet (actually, I stuffed myself to save money on buying lunch), I called a taxi to take me to the station to get a train to Santiago.

All was well until the taxi driver embodied Fernando Alonso and ran a few red lights😱. I closed my eyes as Fernando weaved through the traffic, and when I did peep with one eye half open, I saw that he was doing 120 in a 60 km zone! Oh and he also sent a text during the journey . At least it didn’t take long to get there!

The next hurdle was working out which platform to go to. Everyone going anywhere within the next hour, gathers in a holding area and when the gate opens, a tsunami of people flood the escalators in a rush to get to the train first! They looked like lemmings taking the final plunge off a cliff as they disappeared down the escalators, but all I could think about was how hot and stuffy that room was and how it is more like an incubator for Covid🥺 when I got to the bottom, the train waiting at the platform was not my train… oh no…. It was to be the one behind it. That’s ok, you are thinking, me too, but heaven help me and all my heavy luggage!

The train behind was so far away it was out of sight! Already exhausted from the epic trip from Australia, my luggage and I struggled along the platform for about a kilometre. I kid you not. It is an enormous train station but this is mind boggling! anyway, I finally settled in to my first class seat and watched the scenery flick past, bringing up memories of walking in this very countryside and finally relaxed.

I could have sworn I heard angels singing as the elevator slowly brought me to the top and the vision of my friend Patti appeared. Enveloped in the biggest hug of all time, my eyes welled up and our screams of delight could be heard echoing in the vestibule! She had come to meet me!💜

Gonzalo had sent a taxi for me so we bundled into the car and headed straight to his place. More enormous hugs and tears of course. It has been 5 years since I was last here and we have all been through so much since then. There’s a lot to catch up on, but most importantly, there is a wedding to attend this weekend!!!!