We got us some cultcha

Finally, I feel like we're really in Europe. While cities in Andalucia are gorgeous, they just don't cut the mustard compared to Madrid.
We arrived on a train late at night and during the ride to the hotel, we were blown away by the huge fountains in full bloom, plumes of water lit by various colours, the tall tall buildings and the way the ancient blended with the new in what is a bustling metropolis, even at midnight.

While our hotel was out of central Madrid it was close to the Australian Embassy, our first port of call the next morning. It was also adjacent to a bus, train and metro station so we had no trouble navigating around the place for the four days we were there. After the signing and posting of my documents was taken care of at the embassy, it was off to explore and that's when we finally got us some cultcha. BTW, it cost $16 every time the Aussie diplomat witnessed my signature. I told him I thought that was a bit rich - what about a discount since I work for the federal govt too? Ummm.....no.

The Prado museum was spectacular with displays by Goya, Van Dyck, and Ruben, among others. The Royal Palace too was breathtaking and once again we compared the paintings from the Prado with those hung and painted in the palace.  Unfortunately no cameras were allowed in either of those places so you'll have to google them or take my word for it.

The biggest thrill for Georgia was a visit to the Ritz hotel for an afternoon tea of hot chocolate and churros. The hot chocolate was as sumptuous as the decor and grand piano in the lounge (and bathroom, Georgie informs me) and we could have stayed draped across their luxurious sofas all afternoon while pretending to be 'ladies'.  Our fantasy played out for an hour or so then we reluctantly slunk away like the imposters we were, back to our lesser hotel opposite the metro, our bellies full of too many churros dipped in too-rich chocolate.

It was nice while it lasted.

During the last two days in Madrid, the travelling caught up with us and we both hit a bit of a brick wall, me with a chest infection I've been trying to fight, and Georgia with the tummy pains she gets when she needs sleep and food.
So we slowed right down and didn't get out of bed on the last two days until lunchtime. That felt good.
Today we made our way back to Granada and are taking it easy again, just lazing around the hotel in preparation for our last couple of days in Spain.

It's hard to believe we've been in Spain for a month; On Wednesday we hand in our trusty rent-a-car and fly to Zurich.
Six weeks gone already, only 14 left.  While it startles me that the time has gone so fast, I know someone that would have jumped on a plane tonight if she had the chance. We had another little bout of homesickness, but thanks to Skype, it seems to have eased.

How did we ever manage before internet?