We have had a cultural experience already, and we haven't left the airports! Yes, airports is plural, since we have been to three so far, and will return to all three before our adventure is complete. We are trying to be polite and speak the language of the country, but switching every few hours from French to Spanish and back to French really has my brain tied in knots! Then after we figure out how to ask a question in the correct language, we have to ask them to repeat the answer so we can understand! Madrid was beautiful from the air. We could see groves of trees planted in perfect rows, and they looked amazing next to the plowed fields.
Our hotel is called the Paris Aida Opera, and it reminds me of the hotel in the movie, "Somewhere in Time". It is very old, very elegant, and has been restored beautifully, with hardwood floors, staircases, and other special touches. Our room is small, yet nice and comfortable. The young man at the desk spoke English and was helpful in arranging a taxi for us the next day. After settling in, we walked the streets around our hotel to find a place for dinner. We ate at a Chinese Restaurant--so much for French food! I am amazed at how crowded everything is (buildings, roads, etc.). The cars park so close to each other that a person cannot squeeze between them to cross the street. Everything looks very old, too. And there is no sense of street organization. Perhaps I'm a little spoiled being from Utah where a prophet planned our city streets and blocks.
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