We got up and out early on our second day in Madrid to arrive at the Atocha station in plenty of time to eat a European breakfast of croissants and savory cheese bread. During our breakfast, we were able to see another train board and saw the ease of it. It was time to line up.
Having scoped it all out the day before, we got through the boarding process without a hitch. Off we went to see the city of Zaragoza. Cheers to trains, metros, and new cities!
The train ride lasted only about an hour and a half, traveling at 180-200 mph most of the way, and it was smooth as silk. Some of us even dozed off for a bit during the trip.
After arrival at Zaragoza Delicia station, we headed for the Old Town in search of Roman artifacts. We walked along the beautiful River Ebro and admired the different trees and foliage.
About two miles later, walking and taking in the new sights of a completely new city to us, we found the old town. Honestly, it can be overwhelming to see things that were built thousands of years ago.
In the main plaza of old town, we went into a beautiful cathedral inside and out (which isn’t always the case). It was the Basilica Del Pilar, Cathedral of Zaragoza. We were admiring the architecture and artworks when my uncle said, “Have you ever been in a church with bombs on the wall?”
I can’t say I have, but here we are looking at two bombs hanging from the WWI era.
We found the Roman theatre ruins in Zaragoza. It is said the theatre was built in the first century. It was amazing to see something like that and imagine all the performances that must have been shown there.
We were hungry by this time. Our train station pastries were long gone, so we found a lovely outdoor cafe and sat down. They told us, “Kitchen closed”.
We moved on to the second, third, and fourth cafes, where (you guessed it), “Kitchen closed.” We started looking on our phones for places to eat, and all agreed on a burger place. The dreaded, kitchen is closed, was once again the outcome.
At this point, we were hot and hungry. Finally, after moving on to another location, we found tapas and beer. They weren’t the best tapas we have had, but it was all we had.
Spain has different times for their kitchens to be open. We found that perfect time in between being open for tapas and being open for dinner. They call it, “Siesta.”
On our walk back to the train station, we stopped at The Aljaferia Palace. It was gorgeous. It was built as a Muslim Palace in the 8th century, then became a medieval Christian Palace. During the Renaissance, it was the Palace of the Catholic Kings. Today, it serves as the Cortes De Aragon. The parliament has elected members and several responsibilities to maintain the region’s governing bodies.
We made it back to the train station, thirsty and hungry, and found a cafe in the train station to await our train’s arrival. While we were able to get cold beverages (you guessed it again), the kitchen was closed.
Arriving back in Madrid, we hopped onto the Metro from the train station and popped out across the street from our flat. Luckily, right underneath our apartment is a take-out pizza place that stays open twenty-four hours a day. After an adventurous first excursion and ten miles of walking (!), we were done for the day. Pizza it was. At least their kitchen doesn’t close.
— Tracy, Reader of Maps