I have just got back from a fun filled, long weekend in Madrid to celebrate married friends' joint 50th birthday party. It was a whirlwind of sun, tapas, hugs, laughs and dancing. I want to go back again already.
When my family were due to leave for our trip, I couldn't imagine being hot, looking out of the window at the non-stop pouring rain. I felt pretty cosy inside, I have to say. I think of sunshine as a bit too extrovert, whereas the rain is more introvert and when it comes, it's a good excuse to stay inside and read. Once I reached Madrid though, I threw off my invisibility cloak and drenched my skin in the sun's rays and the city.
We almost didn't make our flight, which is no suprise with our track. record. As usual, we were running for the plane, lugging our hand luggage wheelie cases up the escalators and rumbling them through the aisles, as the last remaining passengers. Sitting sweaty in our seats, we breathed a collective sigh of relief. An hour and a half later, we had reached our destination.
I have to admit that I was partly to blame for the delay in boarding the plane, as even though I had packed under 100ml lotions and potions - I had, in fact, packed plenty of them and my clear, plastic bag runneth over. My husband told us to run ahead and he'd catch the the next plane as the said toiletries were split between us and his tray had been put aside for questioning. Luckily, he is a faster runner than I am so he reached the internal train connection to the gate just behind once he'd been expected.
Madrid was colder than usual, according to our friends, which suited my family just fine. Even though it was 30 degrees, there was such a lovely breeze. We mooched around the shops, soaking up the atmosphere, eating the most delicious food in tapas restaurants and having such a good time. It is so nice now that our daughters are teenagers, that we can all hang out together and enjoy one another's company.
The party was fun and I ended up discarding my heels and dancing barefoot. I got quite into the flow of how the Spanish go out - eating late and going to bed later. We got out of bed later each morning while we were there too. By the last day, the heat was starting to soar and I was starting the miss the rain. Now I'm home, sweet, home and warmed through with happy memories and enjoying the patter of raindrops against the window again.
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