Finding our Atoche, then finding our train. and other Madrid, Spain Transportation Tips

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Train
Getting TO/AROUND: Getting through the subways was quite an adventure. Especially worrying about gypsies all the time! The Madrid subway system is designed really well, color coded, and easy to navigate. For us, it was a struggle though, we were exhausted after a looooong plane ride, and carrying around heavy bags, to boot!
Then at the Atocha train station it took forever to find where to buy tickets. The station is huge!
And listening to and understanding spoken Spanish is much harder than reading it! Most definitely a baptism by fire - bautizo por fuego - en la estación del tren en Madrid.
I am exhausted - haven't slept yet, hope to soon. The car is quiet except for a little 2 year old girl next to me who loves to talk. But she is so cute and has a sweet, innocent voice, so I don't mind.
I'm in a separate car than Dave and Pat. Note to first time travelers in Spain - you can't just sit wherever you want! They are really picky about assigned seats. Unfortunately I'm in a different car, or "coche." It's crazy here! And who would have thought that "plaza" means "seat"? I suppose it has the connotation of "place," as in, "place to sit."
The Spanish countryside is beautiful! We are passing olive groves and green fields. I'm going to stop writing and look out the window.

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