20 October: from Madrid

As if 24 hours of travel weren't enough, we knew we were in Spain when we saw the "Welcome Refugees" sign hung at the Plaza de Cibeles in the heart of Madrid (see photo attached). It is a mild but damp afternoon; we are checked into our hotel One Shot Prado, and already have had our first tapas snack as we walked off the hours spent in car, plane and bus seats.

The trip over was uneventful, with Delta's usual excellent service on board. The connection in Paris was easy, and we are very glad to be on the ground in Spain. We will venture out again in a few minutes and no doubt find more tapas. We are but a few blocks from the major art museums (tomorrow's destinations), and not much further from the Atocha train station, from which we will depart for Cadiz on Saturday.

Greetings to you all; I'll write as events unfold.