From Buenos Dias to Welcome to Moes... What an Incredible World

Yesterday morning began early with a beautiful breakfast spread at the Hotel Senator on Madrid's very alive Grand Via (street). "Buenos dias," we offered to the waitress on our way to a buffet of fruits, breads, meats, and cheeses. "Buenos dias," she smiled in return. A few minutes later we were packed into a small Spanish taxi, speeding through the city en route to the aeropuerta. I was doing my best in the front seat to converse in my "fluent Spanish." (The boys and Amy have had their share of laughs -- and they have no idea (nor do I!) how many gaffs I actually made through the week practicing my language skills.) I suppose it was worth the 33 "monies" we spent to get there -- not having to drag our full array of luggage through the underground (which we did several times) -- was probably worth the cost, alone. (Early on we realized that we couldn't keep up with pounds and euros and dollars, and all the relevant exchange rates, so we just started speaking of how many "monies" such and such would cost.) By 10:15 a.m., along with about 300 other passengers, we were at 30,000 feet and heading west at 600 miles an hour.

We had determined during our trip that we would fully emerse ouselves in the culture. Not long for home. Not complain that they don't do it (whatever "it" may be) like we do it back home. And we stayed true to this commitment -- until the last evening. During that, final, 9:30pm dinner we did allow ourselves a little leeway. "I'm looking forward to eating meals when you're SUPPOSED to eat -- not lunch at 3:30 and supper at 10!..." "I'm looking forward to ICE..." "I can't wait to have FREE REFILLS..." "I want to eat tomorrow night at... MOE'S!" So it was set... wake up in Madrid, have supper at Moe's. What an incredible world.

So when we walked in the door and heard that (too) familiar, "Welcome to Moe's!" we knew we were home. Ice. And Refills, to our hearts' content! (We did laugh with the irony that though we were eating supper at the "right" time according to our re-set watches -- according to our body clocks (which woke up 6 hours ahead of Charlotte time) -- we were really still on a Spanish schedule for dinner!)

From eels and nettles to steamed octupus to those little bitty cups of strong-enough-to-walk "coffee," we put our best Spanish foot forward for nine days. But there's no place like home, is there!?

Back in Madrid for one afternoon before our return flight, Amy and I commented that though we could spend another week or so on the Camino trail, we had both had our fill of European cities, and being tourists. As fabulous as was our time in Westminster Abbey and the Eiffel Tower and the Palacio Real, etc... give us 12-hour days covering our 16-or-so miles "a pie" (by foot) ANY DAY. What a trip!

As I type, the boys are at the pool and we're enjoying the comforts of 3126 Eastburn Road. Amy's up to her eye-balls in laundry (and thanking God for clean clothes and washing machines with each load!), and we're enjoying three days before we shove off again. On Saturday we head for Arizona and our third pilgrimage.

I'll post more this week, but wanted to let you that we're home. Safe. Happy. And missing you.

Gracias!