Spain Again...Madrid and San Sebastian

As promised, the postings are coming a little faster as the Embro Boy's Big Adventure comes to a close.

Yes, I will have to complete a few of the postings from Canada, but I hope you'll forgive me.

I'm not so sure I'm ready for the cold and the snow. I'll admit, I've gotten soft over my travels.

I took the over night train from Lisbon to Madrid. It was my first night train and it wasn't so bad. However, trains are pretty loud and not the smoothest mode of transport so I wasn't my 'freshest' self when the train rolled in at 8:00.

I was warned off Madrid from a few backpackers as just another big city, but like everything...you have to experience it for yourself and I was glad I did. I thoroughly enjoyed Madrid and would definitely recommend it to future travellers.

Even though I only spent a day and a half in Madrid, I made every moment count. I took a free walking tour, but was disappointed that it was way too much talking and not enough seeing.

So I bailed on the walking tour at the half way point and began my own walking tour. After six hours and a really bum leg, I felt very satisfied that I had seen Madrid. The next morning was just a little cleanup from the sights I hadn't got a good picture from and then it was on to San Sebastian.

The train right north was pretty uneventful and boring until I went to get a beer at the bar car. There I met a couple of Americans who were definitely enjoying the train ride with double shots of Jack Daniels.

As much as I hate Jack Daniels...Aiden and Daniel were good guys and we soon figured out that we were staying at the same hostel.

However, none of us knew the exact location of the hostel...I had vague directions only. So we proceeded to ask the locals and soon found an extremely hot Danish girl, who was going to school in San Sebastian, and she gave us the right directions along with suggestions of good bars to hit and her phone number as she said she'd party with us later. Did I tell you how much I enjoyed Spain?

When we got to the hostel, we met Fiona in the hallway and realized she was from our train and had walked past us as we were asking for directions. I guess we should have followed her.

We all ended up in the same room and after dumping our stuff off in the room, we all decided we should go sight seeing together...which really meant let's find a bar and start drinking.

These were my kind of people.


Just a tasty tidbit for you...literally...as I looked up how to spell the word 'pincho' or 'pintxo' (basque spelling)...I learned that San Sebastian has more Michelin stars (food ratings) per capita than any other city in the world...even Paris. So if that doesn't sell you...let me explain the pinchos.

Basically the pincho is a tapas (earlier posting) on steroids. On top of a piece of bread is placed an assortment of delectable ingredients with seafood being the most common.

These pinchots which look as good as they taste are lined out over the entire bar area. As you sip on your drink, you indulge on these tasty morsels. And the really cool thing is that they go on the honour system. After you've finished eating and drinking...you tell them how many drinks and pinchos you had.

I'm not so sure if that system would work in many other cities, but they all seem to do a thriving business in San Sebastian.

The pinchos were a great way to keep a good base of food in your stomach and it came in handy when hanging out with Aiden as that boy could drink and liked when people joined in.

I ended up being in San Sebastian for four days and I honestly think I gained five pounds. I blame the Spanish and the Americans!

Now, I was only supposed to stay in San Sebastian for three days, but since my cell phone locked me out...I didn't have an alarm clock to wake me up. So I put on my charm and asked a pretty Aussie girl who was staying in our room if she could wake me up at 5:30 so I could catch my 6:30 train. I know...I'm a nice guy!!

Luckily she agreed, but since she was only in Spain for the weekend and working in England these days...she had forgot to change her cell phone with the time difference. She did her part by waking me up at 5:30 and I thanked her big time, but I soon found out it was already 6:30 and I had missed my train.

But since I knew there were more pinchos and beer calling my name...I really wasn't that upset. Just another day in paradise.

San Sebastian...a must see!!

Adios...see you in France.

PS...I almost forgot and knew Dylan would ask...the Danish girl stood us up. Didn't she know who we were? I guess not.