Day 1, Travel Across the Pond all the way to the Walled city of Avila, Spain

Day 1, Travel Across the Pond all the way to the Walled city of Avila, Spain

Hot and humid in Cocoa Beach as we load up dripping sweat on our way to Melbourne airport. A recent schedule change means we will have a 5 hour layover in Atlanta before the overseas flight  heads out. Back in November when I bought the tickets we were only facing a  2-hour layover but schedules do happen all the time and in this case Not for the better.  As we retrieved our belongings from the security inspection, a chap asked Paul if he were going fishing with all those dang pockets on his vest (Photog vest). Nope-- just going to shot photos as we headed up the walkway to our gate.

The 5 hours in Atlanta was interminable! Paul went to the quiet room to lie down for a nap, I read and crushed candy and then went for a walk.

View from our room Avila Parador

The flight was good, we each slept for a few hours. For Jane that was a miracle! She crashed and the result of that was feeling “off’ all day. Kind of groggy. Both travelers got nearly 4 hours of sleep time in their lie flat beds up front. Hertz rental was ready willing and able with their ‘New’ Toyota Avesis hatchback with plenty of luggage room however finding the car proved an “unscheduled challenge” with all of the airport’s new construction. Then Paul could not find the Parking release button (electronic release) but the friendly lot lizard chap assisted and we were off and away. Actually it was really funny because the Hertz guy couldn’t find the brake release either!

It was an uneventful drive (Sunday AM with NO traffic on the roads) and we arrived in Avila at about 11.30, way too early for check in, but reception staff were very sweet and helpful showed us the garage which we decided not to park in ( small, very small and tight, not worth the increased heart rate trying to maneuver) and we left our bags and head to the cafeteria for Bitter Kas. They had our room ready about 12.30, they took pity on the weary, elderly travelers so we could nap! Another first for Jane, who NEVER naps! Jeez, I must have been really tired.

Cathedral Plaza Avila

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We surfaced fairly refreshed, well at least functioning and headed off to find ….something. The old part of Avila is not that big and we found a Plaza or two very quickly. We had a beer and some pinchos and walked on to the Plaza del Catedral. Must have been the Sunday for first Communions as we encountered a family  with a girl in a long white dress riding a Hover board. She was a bit shaky but improving, the long dress didn’t help ! Not too many people out and about so we headed back to the Plaza del Mercado for a drink and people watching. The sun was shining and it was very pleasant. Paul spotted a souvenir shop with really interesting toro door bells so we decided to pop in and buy some. We had a long involved philosophical discussion with the owner about the growth of nations and how every country  eventually formed after violence and blood! I kid you not. In Spain for a few hours and here we are discussing the ills of the world just because he was impressed that I had no problem pronouncing the R in toro! I must say my command of Spanish returned very quickly.

New hoverboard for 1st communion

We decided to have dinner early as we realized that we hadn’t actually eaten all day, which may have been the reason we were both bushed! A light combination plate was in order, then we headed back to the Parador just before the skies clouded over and the heavens opened in a torrent!

 Overnight low of 49F. Monday is bright and sunny 73F. Monday’s target to find the local Orange store and buy SIM cards for our phones.