This trip back to Spain started officially with my flight from Dallas to Madrid. That was Saturday evening, November 30th. We’ll call that Day 0. I arrived in Madrid on Sunday morning around 9:30am. The flight was uneventul and on time. And I was able to sleep a couple of hours (maybe 4). So that was good. It was about a 9 hour flight, plus a 7 hour time difference between Spain and Mexico. It was cold when I arrived in Madrid. Unfortunately, when I arrived in Madrid on American Airlines, we were not given a gate. The the airplane parked a little way from the terminal and was met by busses to take us to the terminal. There we were walking down the steps in the cold with our hand luggage (argh!) it was not fun. Anyway, the line was long at Immigration, but no troubles there.

Day 0: 10,354 steps

I was scheduled on an Iberia Airlines flight to Almeria in the province of Andalucia. About a one hour flight. I had a 3 hour layover, so I wasn’t rushed. Had time for a little breakfast and relax time. When departure time came, again we were escorted outside of the terminal and walked to the very small plane. So small that there is no room for any carry on luggage. You turn it in at the door of the plane, and you collect it there, too, upon arrival. Another smooth flight. I slept most of the way.

We arrived at the very small airport of Almeria. I mean tiny. But it was easy to navigate. Pick up luggage and walk outside to wait for my AirBnB host to pick me up. He offered. So nice. I booked a room (with private bath) in a home with husband, wife and 11 year old daughter. It’s an apartment/condominium with 5 floors. We are on the 4th, yes with elevator! It is a very nice home, modern, clean and neat. Just like the pictures on the AirBnB App. Yay!

Day 1: Sunday, December 1st was a very busy and full day. Once we arrived at the apartment, I unpacked and the family invited me to eat lunch with them.They had made a delicious creamy potato soup. Totally unexpected, but quite lovely. After a bit of rest, the Host (David) invited me on a walking tour of the city. We started at the beach, about a 10 minute walk away and then circled the city and ended up walking past the local supermarket, a 5 minute walk from “home”.

As you can imagine, after such a long day, I was exhausted. It was great seeing this cute, small, quiet city. I don´t know how much I understood about how to get around town. But it was a good overview and prepared me to go out alone tomorrow. I very much enjoyed everything I saw. Walking will definitely work here. Having a car would be nice to get to the outlaying parts of the city. But for now, walking will do.

The family did invite me to eat dinner with them, as well. I was ready to go to bed at 7pm. But the Host was making homemade vegetable pizza. I did stay awake long enough to share a slice and it was quite good. Then off to bed for me at 9pm.

Day 1: 11,894 steps

Monday, December 2 was Day 2 in Almeria, my first full day. I slept rather well. Woke up a few times, but didn’t wake up fully and I didn´t get up until 8am. That was very nice. I rarely sleep in. I got myself ready, a bit slowly, still organizing myself in this one little room. I have a queen bed, a small closet and a 3-drawer dresser. The rest of the apartment is “shared” space.” The family cleared one shelf in the refrigerator for me as well as one cabinet in the kitchen. Just enough room for me. Very considerate of them, by the way! I’m using both spaces and the microwave (after my first trip to the supermarket). The apartment is small, but cute. I don’t see myself sharing the living room (and TV), but I do eat at the dining room table and use the kitchen. It’s all worked out so far. Did I mention these are very nice people? Well, they are!!

I went out for a walk around 10am. It was cool out. Thankfully I had packed “winter” clothes and am using them daily. Walking consists of long exercise pants, a t-shirt and pull over hoody jacket. With my earphones, telephone and “fanny” pack, walking is a breeze. I headed right down to the beach where there is a beautiful boardwalk, surrounded by high rise apartment buildings, cafes, pastry & ice cream shops. There were so many people walking, biking, running even on electric scooters. There were several interesting sculptures on my route. I’ve included some here. It was sunny and beautiful out, but cool for sure. After 80+ degree (F) weather in Mexico, 24/7, the 60´s (F) are quite cold for me!

I ended up walking for maybe 2 hours, including a stop at the local supermarket to pick up essentials (water, yogurt, ice tea and bananas). I have my priorities, the rest will be purchased tomorrow. I can’t buy too much at once, as I have to carry it home on foot. After a quick breakfast and shower, I headed out to see the city. It was around 2:30pm when I started my walk, Google Maps got me to the “downtown” (Centro) area which is already decorated for Christmas. Can’t wait to see it at night.

Here is what surprised me (though it shouldn’t have because I read about this; but had forgotten), so many shops and restaurants were closed up as I was out walking at 3pm. Was it a holiday? No, it was Monday. Well, I asked at an open shop and was reminded that it is the daily “siesta time” in Spain. Shops, restaurants and bars close between 3-5pm with some not reopening until 7pm. I remembered that Spaniards eat dinner very late, around 9-10pm. I don’t know if I´ll be able to adjust. We´ll see over the next few days.

There were some shops open, but as I started to get hungry, all I could find open were coffee and pastry (sweets) shops. I wanted dinner. I kept walking, getting to know the city. I was tired, cold and hungry. The walk was turning into a marathon. HA. I ended up back at the apartment, and still hadn’t found anything open. Google led me back to the beach boardwalk and I found one bar closed and another one open. Hooray. I sat down. No waiter service. OK, fine, I walked up to the bar and was told no food was availalble. They are a breakfast locale, he told me. Only coffee and drinks (alcoholic and not) at this hour. I asked for any recommendations. And the bartender suggested I walk back down the boardwalk where there are a lot of restaurants to see if any were serving dinner.

I kept walking, and boy was I tired. After passing sweets shops (cakes and ice cream), I did find a restaurant that had a limited menu. So many restaurants have sidewalk areas, many covered with large umbrellas. But I am just finding it too cold to sit outside. Many would disagree with me, and are seated comfortably outside (no heaters, by the way). This restaurant had an area like this, in addition to a small area enclosed in glass. It was certainly warmer. So I took a seat there and I was the only one. I ordered one of my favorites: Fanta Lemon (soda), along with sautéed octopus with caramelized onions and roasted potatoes. Very very good.

I made the short walk home and got ready for bed. I was super tired! Tomorrow I have planned another morning walk, perhaps exploring a new area and I also plan to visit the Christmas Market which operates in the evenings from 5-10pm. Stay tuned!

Day 2: 23,000 steps