Life in a magic world

I reached Seville Santa Justa Station at 4.30 pm on 25 June 2017. It was indeed lot of excitement to be in a new city. I followed the crowd to the exit. Saw people lining up in que for taxi, I too did the same. When my turn came, I told the driver about my hotel, he happily kept my bag in the luggage are and started the vehicle. The bright sun light and heat reminded me the summer of India. The streets were literally empty. May be the sun day effect. I reached my hotel. The reception also gave me a feeling of emptiness as other than a receptionist, no one was there. He gave me the door key (Magnetic card). my room no was 415.  my room was a single room, with LCD TV, automatic temperature control system attached bathroom (Spacious) with a mini bar. The menu rates seemed to be of European standards as many items are priced at a higher rate. Since I was tired and the outside temperature was also high, stayed indoor till late evening watching TV. 

The train is route from Madrid to Seville is via Cordoba. Arid landscape, beautiful scenic villages and deserted farm lands demonstrate you the scenic space of Spain. The following pictures show the landscape features along the route.

I reached Atocha station well ahead of time. While looking around an eatery, I found a shop offers different type of breads, fruits, fruit juices etc. After checking the price, I placed order for a chicken burger and a fruit juice which cost around 5 euros. Lot of passengers  were moving around and I realised that it is one of the busiest stations of Spain. Part of the building is designed as a shopping area and other side is open space for the commuters to rest, spend waiting time. The main building from outside                                                           Inside the station (waiting area) There are a number of eateries, souvenir shops, garments shop, fashionable products inside the station premises. After few minutes I stepped outside to see the streets. Look at the pictures below.  There is an AVE info...

25 June (Sunday): I am officially in Madrid. The day started with a thought on how to move ahead and use the time wisely. After freshening up I spoke to Mr. Jesus in gestures. He understood that I need some tea, hence he showed me how to make coffee from the machine. Fill the baked coffee bean in to crush it in a jar, then take it in t a filter, plug it in to the coffee maker. Once coffee is brewed inside the machine, we can take it out. The pure coffee appears like a shot of rum for me as I never fond of just black coffee. I took a little coffee with great difficulty, with the help of the biscuits I carried.  The view from the window gave a glimpse of the city life on sunday. No one around except some fast moving cars. Complete silence. In Varanasi, once the day starts you here lot of sounds. The paperwala, the vegetable sellers, fruit sellers, school bus horns and so many things....Here a full stop to all such noises.  Mr. Jesus was very eagerly watching you tube video...

My habitacion (accommodation) was arranged through Airbnb in Madrid. It was a long story of persuasion to finally get a night accommodation in Madrid. I was looking for a cheaper place to stay on the day of my arrival as my train to Seville was next day afternoon. I got good options near the railway station called Atocha. Later I got a regret mail saying that the host denied accommodation due to some repairs of her house taking place that point of time. Then around six bookings, proceeded with cancellations. Meantime my research scholar tried through his contact in Ireland to confirm one place. As per his advice I used the option, instant confirmation and got a place of Pablo and Leire at a coast of Approx 3500 for one night. Then I realised this amount is more or less equal to the standards of a three star hotel.  As there was no option, I chose the option to stay there and finding this place. After reaching in the late evening at around 10.45 pm. There was no one to ask the d...

After arrival, I had an unknown emotional upsurge. Some kind of excitement , but fear at some corners. I have to reach the city. From google, I downloaded the city train network, but virtually to get ticket and finding the right place was a question. Moved to the arrival hall, found that the wifi is working. The only hope of international connectivity as I didn't have international roaming in phone.  After collecting baggage, I dared to ask the security people to ask where can i take the train. They advised me to go to departure area, their I can take a free shuttle bus to terminal 4 (currently I was in Terminal 1). Moved towards the elevator, and reached the upper floor of departure. Then stepped out to find my bus. I noticed a Mercedes bus with a lady driver who looked nothing less than a hollywood actress. Boarded the bus. Three other passengers joined. The bus started at right time. The bus had only 4 passengers, but it was moving at a speed of around 120 km/h speed. No tra...

The waiting for Visa killed my patience. I thought I would loose an opportunity to visit because of Visa rejection. But before few days of departure, I got it confirmed. The dreams of my trip has already taken off. The Air India flight depart from New Delhi to Madrid (Thrice in a week) at 4 pm. After completing the boarding procedures, I moved to Boarding gate no. 4. Flights to Dubai was also leaving from there. But for me, it was surprising that the the departure gate was less crowded and more passengers were foreign citizens.  The boarding time was given one hour departure of the flight. This buffer time include an extra verification procedure by Air India staff to make sure that passengers to Spain are holding proper documents including visa.  The Air India flight was parked at the parking bay, the bus carrying passengers moved to the aircraft, and my mind was filled with lot of thoughts and bit of tension that I am leaving India, even though it is for a short period....