When we got to the hotel, there was an envelope at the desk for us. It featured our room keys, an itinerary with specific times and a few pointers about the afternoon. There was also a city map. We had about two hours until we were expected back to the bar in the hotel lobby to officially meet our tour group.
Cas and I went to the room and were pleasantly surprised. The place where we’re staying is very nice. There is a large bed in a spacious room with lots of little extras. We took a moment to relax, then we decided to spend the next hour exploring before meeting up with everyone. We walked down a sidewalk and stopped along the way for a glass of wine. The waiter was abrupt and the other patrons on the sidewalk seemed to have an entirely different sense of smell than I have been blessed with. I smelled cigarettes most of the time, but for extra fun, the table closest to us ordered calamari. They received some of the worst smelling calamari I have ever been near.
My mother’s maiden name was Cushing. My cousins on that side of the family share with me the blessing (and the curse) of what we call The Cushing Nose. We can smell everything. It’s great when there’s a gas leak or you’re trying to figure out what flavor or seasoning you’re having. It’s pretty bad when the smells are unpleasant. My Cushing nose today was ready to move on from our sidewalk cafe table just about when the third or fourth cigarette came and the camalari was placed just upwind of us. We didn’t stay long. We wandered a bit after leaving there and saw a fountain.
We continued our stroll and made our way back to the hotel, stopping back in our room to get ready to meet our group. The initial meeting was good, if a little drawn out. Our tour director was more deliberate about the details than most, explaining when and whom to tip, how to avoid pickpockets and what kind of pace to expect. She goes by Riu- she says it’s like the first part of the word reunion. In our group, we have a few folks form different parts of the US; a fellow Texan, a couple from Tennessee, I think, a bunch from Arizona and at least one from Minnesota. There are other places represented, here, and to be sure, Riu is from more places than most of us. I think she said her dad was Japanese and her mom was Irish. She was born in Hawaii and raised in Southern California, but she has lived in Spain for a few decades. I think I would lose track after a while, if I were her.
Our big to-do with the tour group tonight was the welcome dinner. We had a meal together at a restaurant nearby, and as we dined, we got to know our traveling companions, Each person seemed to pepper Riu with questions. Some asked about different destinations and excursions, while others asked about customs and behaviors in different places. Cas and I sat across from another couple, and the man in that pairing asked specifically about Iberian ham. It’s a pretty well renowned delicacy, and our tour director knew a lot about most of what she was asked. She explained what to look for and which restaurants in town had the best offerings. The man asked that, should we be near a great spot to find the best Iberian ham, she let him know. He said he was a great foodie, and claimed he would, “run in real quick and come back out with a fistful of ham.” That fella sure can paint a picture.
I have eaten some ham along the way so far on this trip, and it’s been good- specifically, Cas and I had ham for dinner last night in San Sebastián. There was a lot on the plate, in fact, but we failed to measure it by the fistful. Maybe next time.
Tomorrow, we have a guided tour of the city, including a visit to the Prado museum. The tour company has a basic package and several things you can add on to your tour. We love adding things on. We added on a traditional Spanish evening including troubadours at the Plaza Mayor. Not entirely sure what that means, but it’s listed as “tuna music” in the itinerary. I do know that you can tune a piano, but you can’t tuna fish. Sorry- Cas actually laughs when I make the bad jokes, so it’s partly his fault for encouraging me. You should totally blame him for that joke. Anyhow, buenas noches. Until the morning, everyone.
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