Days 1-4, Spain: Madrid, Segovia, Burgos, and Zaragoza

Before my 2 month long backpacking trip through Europe, I’m going to embark on a 10 day road trip looping Madrid and Barcelona with my parents, brother, brother’s girlfriend Cecilia, and my friend Nathan from home in Hong Kong.

The first day in Madrid was strange. My parent's flight was delayed to arrive the next day. My brother and his girlfriend Cecilia weren't scheduled to arrive until the next day too. I was the first to get to Madrid, and it sure didn't feel like I was in Madrid. Wandering around Madrid with Nathan, it was a strange sensation. I was in Europe, and weirdly with the small cars, outdoor seating everywhere, and people drinking coffee like water, it sure didn't feel like it yet.

The first night, Nathan and I went to this area in Madrid called Latina which is full of restaurants and tapas bars, and we proceeded to spend 17 Euros (~$24) per person on three delicious but relatively small plates of food. To me, that was a shock to me as I was used to paying $5 for a foot long subway – or even at a nicer restaurant the high teens for a nice entrée.

Beef Tripe, Eggs on fries, Asparagus, and Bread which I was surprised to pay for

Regardless, it was a great first dinner with tasty house wine. Wary from the plane rides, we went home to rest relatively early in Spanish time – around 12 pm, considering they start dinner at around 9pm.

My parents, brother, and his girlfriend Cecilia arrived the next day and we began our wandering and driving around Spain. I've been a little slow on blogging because of a lack of good internet so I am just going to post some photos.

Madrid

Uhh... so this bear and this tree are a symbol of Madrid. Who knew?

Segovia

Sweet castle there.

So there's a cool aqueduct at Segovia, north of Madrid... but a basketball tournament? What?

Burgos

Morcilla de Burgos: "Black Pudding from Burgos". It was like rice and sausage mixed into it all...delicious

Outside their big cathedral. Instead of showing a picture of the cathedral.. I decided to show the courtyard which was having some medieval gathering/showing. Looked like straight out of a video game!

Zaragoza

Pic I snapped as we were driving into Zaragoza. The cathedral was awe-inspiring.

And of course...have to include some tapas...so good the group made a meal out of it.

Next? 3 Nights in Barcelona!