How we snubbed Madrid, overheated and stumbled on gold in Zaragoza
You often ask how we decide where to go. Here is a perfect example.
Yesterday morning I had an apartment organized for Madrid. All was well – free parking, plenty of room, good access to the city and bargained down price. Except, the cost was still a bit high for us at 70 euros per night.
We spent most of the day walking around the city of Bilbao and stopping at what felt like each of its many playgrounds. At one fine bench, Mr.Blab starts to mumble something about not going to Madrid, maybe going through Zaragoza. We realize we have no particular reason for going to the capital, other than it is – Madrid… And this is how a plan starts to crumble.
Trying to swallow my annoyance at wasting my time the day and night before organizing everything, I agree to a new direction BUT he has to make it doable by the end of the day. He agrees.
I end up organizing it.
That is how Zaragoza plops on our expanding map.
The road there starts beautiful with green hills and a lake or two.
Ugliness rears its ugly (yes, double ugly….oups triple) head and we end up like this:
The umbrella was my idea. Good, no?
Yes, Couch is not enjoying the warm weather as much as us and we have an overheating problem. This meant that we spent the rest of the journey on alert, staring at that little marker and making sure nothing horrible happens and trying to survive the blowing heater on max every once in a while.
The longest 300km we have had so far.
Zaragoza welcomed us better than expected though. As it turns out we arrived in the middle of its biggest festival – Fiestas del Pilar. The streets were buzzing, smoke was carrying all sorts of delicious smells around and music could be heard from the streets near and far.
And how come I had never heard of this: Catedral-BasÃlica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar?
Please send some good vibes to Couch. He needs it.
Adios!
I am reading your marvelous blog for a longer time now and adore your pictures and writing. Thanks very much for this virtual travel.
Reading this post I was just wondering if you will visit Berlin some day? If you do, please contact me if you need some place to stay, because I have a small and simple but functional flat (well, maybe a little “overcrowded” with stuff ;), where you could stay. I really mean it. I will be away from November until the End of January and my beau is taking care from time to time, but it will be actually pretty unused. So please feel welcome any time.
/inka
inka, thank you so much for the offer! We came to Berlin a few weeks ago and had a great time walking around the city. Still, if we come again, I will keep you in mind. It is always nice to meet people in person.
Where you off to in November?
Well, your last post made me nostalgic for Paris and his one makes me nostalgic for traveling. Love the market shot and hope couch bears up. If you do go on to Madrid, let me know. One of my best friends is an expat there and would surely love to meet you. HAve you been to Barcelona yet? You will love it.
Oh Couch…. hang in there, mate!!!!
Marianna, that is it, keep those fingers crossed, please.
Ainlay, I have been afraid to catch up with you and how you are settling back to normal life. We skipped Madrid for sure, but Barcelona is definitely on the list before we leave Spain.
Oh, I missed it you beeing here, too bad. But I’ m glad you had a good time. :)
In November I am actually making my very first big trip, traveling for 9 weeks throughout Chile southwards from Atacama to Patagonia onwards to Tierra del Fuego and _hopefully_ Antarctica. And you bet I am SO EXCITED! :-)))
So have a good travel and yes, always feel welcome.
/inka
Well you have sold Zaragoza to me. It’s funny how we always go for capitals etc as we assume these will have the most to offer but then you stumble across a little gem like this. The cathedral looks stunning!
Zaragoza is a beautiful Spanish city and certainly one less traveled. I am hoping to pass through again on my next visit to Spain as I have such fond memories of it.