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Arrival in Madrid
The worst part of any trip is the arrival at a strange airport on your own. Luckily all the signs are in English and are easy to see, so I just start to follow the signs and the other passengers - but boy they are all in a hell of a hurry and soon there is no-one in front of me. Through passport control which was a breeze (all of about two seconds and then on along a corridor, round a corner and down a couple of elevators. I walk for what seems like miles and then suddenly catch up with everyone because they have to wait for the train to the baggage area. We wait for four minutes and then hop on and take a long ride (about four minutes) We get off the train and head up two elevators and along another big room to Belt Number 6 and we all line up again to get our bags, which seems to take for ever.
Out through the Nothing to Declare gate and I'm in the Arrival Hall. No little man holding up a sign with my name on it - darn I'm going to have to find my courier company. I read my paperwork and found out that I should have phoned as soon as I landed and they would be waiting by the time I got my luggage. Oh well, I found out where to go - to Aero Shuttles right at the end of the building where I was told my driver would be 15 minutes. Spanish minutes are very long and about 40 minutes later he arrived and we started the trek to the car. Not fortunate enough for his car to be waiting just outside the door - Nope another long trek. Finally I'm in the car and en route to Eurobuilding 2.
The road is quiite busy, but the traffic is very orderly. Seat beats on, and a fast trip towards the hotel. The driver doesn't speak English so he turns his radio on, and keeps checking his phone for GPS directions. That's comforting. Hope he understood where I want to go to.
By now it's well after 9pm when I arrive at the hotel. For a place recommended by Vaughantown it is not very welcoming. I guess I just got spoilt in Egypt - where you are seated with a hospitality drink while the reception staff complete the paperwork and check your passport.
I had my booking confirmation so there was no real problem, just not all that friendly. I was handed my key and told "through there level 8" I assumed that meant I take a lift to level 8.
And yes, I found my room okay. A nice little appartment, with a kitchen, lounge, bedroom and bathrrom. The kitchen has cooking facilities and utensils but no jug and WHAT - no coffee or tea sachets. Luckily I still have some water with me and the little package of crackers and cheese and dip from the plane, that will be my dinner. Thankfully I am not that hungry, and I certainly don't feel like going out investigating at this time of night.
So a shower, a quick unpack and another early night.
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