In transit to Sahagun

And so, Operation Plan B was launched.

I spent Saturday night in the corridor of Terminal One waiting for the kiosks to reopen so I could check my pack and then go through Security. It gave me time to get registered for an updated Spanish QR code. There were a few other travelers there, doing their best to stretch out on chairs designed to not allow it. At one point I noticed a giant, abandoned airport porter cart with a thin layer of carpet on the top and, at that point, it looked like a bed. I camped out there for a few hours and was extremely grateful to have a sleeping bag with me as, according to my pack thermometer, the place was kept at a chilly 63 degrees.

About 3:30 AM the security and customer service personnel started to arrive and by 4:30 I was heading thru security. I made the mistake of keeping my passport and boarding pass in my skirt pocket. You know what that mistake gets you? A full body cavity pat-down by a female guard, that’s what. I was glad to be wearing a mask over my face at that point because I don’t think she would have taken kindly to seeing me chuckle about how ridiculous it was. It’s paper. Meanwhile another guard was looking thoroughly through my carryon for possible contraband. Hiking boots, a shawl, Light in August by Faulkner*, a packet of nuts, other misc. travel supplies. Not the high-profile bust they were on the lookout for. After we shared that special moment, I was then released to continue on.

As I made it to Miami I realized I was already starting to lose track of days and time. And the journey feels like it’s gaining momentum. I’m so glad I didn’t wait for TAP’s proposed schedule. I would have arrived in Lisbon Monday morning then Madrid very late Tuesday night, which would have required a hotel in both cities. And with the limited train schedule, it would have put my walk start date to Thursday. I hope to be at least to Leon by then.

The flight to Madrid was almost full and the seats were smaller and closer together than any plane I’ve ever been on. First class had four seats across and plenty of legroom. Business class was six seats across. And in economy they crammed in nine seats across. Glad I’m not really large. Still, with as desperately as I wanted to be on my way to my Camino, they could have assigned me a jump seat and told me I had to serve coffee to help out and I would have been happy to have it.

A fellow passenger was a service dog (chihuahua) named Tacito. I’m not sure what his specialty service is – I asked if I could pet him – they said yes – and he snarled and tried to bite me. If ‘adding jumpiness’ to a situation is a service – Tacito’s your guy.

I was able to doze off for a few hours on the plane, I think, which was a blessing. We were then poured out this morning into the alien spaceship known as the Madrid Airport. Stunning architecture.

My pre-purchased train passes did me no good today – so I’ll throw them in the pile of things to submit in the travel insurance claim. I purchased new direct tickets to Sahagun and have the day to explore Madrid as the train doesn’t leave until after 6 PM. I took the metro to Principe Pio, the area that my train will leave from and get the feeling that it’s a central hub – so there should be things to explore in that area.

As it turns out, the area is loaded with small shops. I walked about a mile down the street in one direction. It was the first time I’ve carried my full pack this trip so it needed so adjusting to be comfortable. *I stopped in the park next to the English language university to drop my book on a park bench in the shade for someone else to pick up. I can always check it out from the library to finish later. On the walk back to the station I noticed on the hill behind it what I thought was a large cathedral. So I hiked up the hill through a maze of paths wandering through a construction site to visit it. Turns out it was the Royal Palace. There was, however, a large cathedral behind it and I went in to get my first stamp on my credential. A souvenir from Madrid.

I don’t want to get too overheated so I’ll stay in the cool shade of the station this afternoon and wait for my train.

Looking forward to checking into the hostel, doing laundry, getting cleaned up, having dinner, then hopefully an early night. It’s the familiar cycle of the Camino.

More later…