Well this was my once-in-a-lifetime chance to do an overnight train across the Iberian Peninsula. Lisboa to Madrid, check. Been there, done that. A fitful night of sleep was had, sitting in the non-reclinable seats with a college dude next to me (I had window seat) and two college girls across from me, where we all struggled for quality sleep. My final wakeup was as we were pulling into the Chamartin station in Madrid, which was nice and disconcerting at the same time -- I needed to find the Cercanias trains to take me across the city to the Atocha station, and then buy my train ticket to get me from Madrid down to Córdoba.
Bought my 1,65 Euro ticket from the ticket booth and I was on train #2 of the day. Took maybe 10 minutes.
Then I get to the train ticket area to purchase my transportation south to Cordoba. I decide to check out the automated ticket machines -- and I find that all trains to/through Cordoba (they run about hourly) are sold out through until 2pm! It was maybe 9am, and I was not looking forward to trying to figure out what to do with myself for 5 hours at the train station, unfresh and unshowered, with my 60+ lbs of luggage with me.
I go into the ticketing office and wait my turn for direct contact with an agent. After telling him that I checked the automated machine and what I saw, he confirmed that other than first class the first train I could leave on was after 2pm. So, after a quick #wastemoneybeforeiwastemytime moment (or any more of my time, that is...) ... for 80-something Euros, I got my one-way ticket on the AVE bullet train from Madrid on down to Cordoba, which I boarded within 20 minutes of ticket purchase. It took 2 hours total, with two stops before Cordoba.
Arrived at the station and I got a city map from the information booth on my way out. I had my directions to my hotel written out, but wanted the map as a visual guide. I still got lost haha. Had to ask a lady in a cafe where the hotel was -- it turns out I was at the right street, right address... but the east side of the street rather than the west. Two blocks later I was at my hotel, then checked in and in my room -- and it was barely noon.
I took a little nap. Got up and back out right during siesta time kicked in... and yup, all tourists out haha. Cordoba is a different city from all that I've visited yet... Cordoba is more relaxed, slower paced. Lots of families out and about, LOTS of canoodling couples. I wandered around the center of the city a bit and in search of some food and drink.
The Guadalquivir River and the area around it are particularly picturesque. After crossing the bridge and back, I decided it was time to eat.
Then I get to the train ticket area to purchase my transportation south to Cordoba. I decide to check out the automated ticket machines -- and I find that all trains to/through Cordoba (they run about hourly) are sold out through until 2pm! It was maybe 9am, and I was not looking forward to trying to figure out what to do with myself for 5 hours at the train station, unfresh and unshowered, with my 60+ lbs of luggage with me.
I go into the ticketing office and wait my turn for direct contact with an agent. After telling him that I checked the automated machine and what I saw, he confirmed that other than first class the first train I could leave on was after 2pm. So, after a quick #wastemoneybeforeiwastemytime moment (or any more of my time, that is...) ... for 80-something Euros, I got my one-way ticket on the AVE bullet train from Madrid on down to Cordoba, which I boarded within 20 minutes of ticket purchase. It took 2 hours total, with two stops before Cordoba.
Arrived at the station and I got a city map from the information booth on my way out. I had my directions to my hotel written out, but wanted the map as a visual guide. I still got lost haha. Had to ask a lady in a cafe where the hotel was -- it turns out I was at the right street, right address... but the east side of the street rather than the west. Two blocks later I was at my hotel, then checked in and in my room -- and it was barely noon.
I took a little nap. Got up and back out right during siesta time kicked in... and yup, all tourists out haha. Cordoba is a different city from all that I've visited yet... Cordoba is more relaxed, slower paced. Lots of families out and about, LOTS of canoodling couples. I wandered around the center of the city a bit and in search of some food and drink.
The Guadalquivir River and the area around it are particularly picturesque. After crossing the bridge and back, I decided it was time to eat.
And okay, so I may be coming over to the dark side of digging tapas. Ended up grabbing my late lunch at this place Fusion by Soho... had their 2013 tapa of the year winner: Tierra de Aceite y Vino and also a Flauta de Jamón. And also two servings of Cruzcampo, the single draft beer they had on tap.
All was good, filling, and a nice introduction back into España.
The feel good American R&B music (Maxwell, Erykah Badu) also had me feeling the place and feeling the moment.
Looking forward to this last portion of my trip, including getting comfortable in speaking Spanish after struggling with everything written in Catalán the first week, then 10 days of Portuguese. Ah, Castellano... finally.
The feel good American R&B music (Maxwell, Erykah Badu) also had me feeling the place and feeling the moment.
Looking forward to this last portion of my trip, including getting comfortable in speaking Spanish after struggling with everything written in Catalán the first week, then 10 days of Portuguese. Ah, Castellano... finally.
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