Basque Ccountry, Spain
A Very Long Day! (Part 2)
The train pulled out of the San Sebastian station around 6 PM and I settled in for a pleasant ride through the Pyrenees Mountain region of Northern Spain. The Pyrenees Mountains form a natural boundary between France and Spain and this region is known as Basque country or the home of the Basque people who many believe to be the native people of Iberia. We soon turned south, leaving the mountains behind as we entered the central region of Spain. Our route took us through Pamplona, famous for the annual running of the bulls, and it was with great disappointment (make that ‘relief’) that we were passing through in May and the running of the bulls takes place in July. So, this time I would not have an opportunity to join the other brave crazy souls in this wild celebration dedicated to the city’s patron saint. I have no doubt, however, that I will ‘run’ (in the other direction) on my next pass through this beautiful region.
It was getting dark by the time we went through Zaragoza and nearly 11 PM when our train finally pulled in to the Madrid Atocha Railway Station. The Madrid train station is the largest in Spain and was the site of the 2004 terrorist bombings that killed 191 people and wounded another 1800 arriving on crowded commuter trains. I have been through many train stations throughout the world, but this station has to be one of the most beautiful. Once inside, it feels more like being in a large botanical atrium rather than a busy transportation hub.
With my rucksack on my back I ventured out into the streets of Madrid on that balmy spring evening, hoping to find a room to catch some ZZZ’s for what was left of the night. Thankfully, Madrid, though large, is an easy city to walk, but after a one hour sweep of the area I was unable to find a single room at a price that I was willing to pay for only a few hours sleep. Madrid was an unplanned stop in my itinerary and to keep on schedule, I would have to be back on the train heading for Barcelona early the next morning…now only six hours away. Around the time I had resigned myself to spending the night on a park bench, I arrived at the center of night life where revelers spill out from the tapas bars into the plazas as they party all night. I quickly gave up my quest for a room and joined in the fun, taking advantage of this impromptu opportunity to enjoy one of the many things for which Madrid is famous. As both the big hand and the little hand on my watch met on the 12 mark, my very long day had suddenly become two days, but by the end of the night I was pumped and ready for the next leg of my trip.
A Train Ride Through the Pyrenees Mountains
What beautiful scenery! Have always wanted to see the Pyrenees Mountains. Hopefully someday.