Day 3: Fri 16 Sep - Madrid to Seville, 2.5 h by train

17-32 deg C
Walk: 8.3km

I was awake at 4am and despite my best efforts I was unable to go back to sleep. To pass the time before breakfast started, I did a prelim pack up, read, did some Facebooking, etc. Went down to breakfast about 6:30am really wanting a coffee to start wit(, however, there are bus loads of non Spanish tourists staying here who were having difficulty operating the automatic coffee machine. I opted for OJ and a croissant before braving the coffee queue again. It is evident people are becoming blasé about disease spread again, as evidenced by the man behind me; he wanted to stand as close as possible to me like it was going to get him to the machine faster. I asked him to back off a bit to which he just waved his hand about like I was being stupid! So I did a bit of a cough then dinned my mask and he took 1/4 of a pace backwards. And then the lady in front of me decides she needs to talk to lady two behind me, and is almost right in my face. They just don’t get it! 

Anyway, I eventually got my coffee and a bowl of cereal, and then when the queue was more reasonable, I went back for another coffee. Breakfast done, it was back to my room to rest, pack up, and blog. I pre-ordered a taxi last night for a 9am pick up, so was downstairs waiting for it with plenty of time to spare. It didn't take quite as long to get to the station as anticipated, and I had a bit of a wait until my platform became available. And then I got it wrong. Long story short, I read the trip wrong and tried to check in for the Madrid-Seville direct line, when I was booked on the Madrid-Cuidad Real-Cordoba-Seville train. "No problem" said the conductor and consulted the computer. He could obviously see I had a First Class ticket, and saw there were seats available in that cabin, so just changed me to the direct route. Another nice Spanish gent who spoke perfect English translated for me and even helped me with my suitcase. 

We left Madrid, and after a short stop at Cordoba, we arrived at Seville about 12:30pm. I was at the hotel just after 1pm after a short diversion to another hotel of a similar name. Although I did not understand a word she was saying she was trying to blame me for not giving her the correct address. However, I did notice that when I showed her the address, she had to squint to read it. When I pointed out that we were gong in the wrong direction, and when she admitted that, she stopped the meter which was good. 

I had to wait about 25 minutes for my room, which was better than the original one hour. Something I missed in the room description was the lack of tea/coffee making facilities. Oh well, will just have to fill up at breakfast. Sylvain arrived not long after I had finished unpacking and we walked to the Congress Centre (FIBES) to see check out the route and to see how long it would take. After a slower than usual walk, we arrived 25 minutes later, however, it could be done faster if required. There was only one gate to FIBES open, and we presume that when the Congress starts for real on Sun, there will be more gates open and will therefore be a tad quicker.

Back to the hotel for a cold drink, then I took myself to Maccas for dinner, and came home via the local Carrefour, a huge supermarket the size of a Costco to buy beers. Euro0.46 per 330ml can - bargain. Purchased six and made my way home.

A quite night in, on my own, writing the blog and flicking between CNN and BBC News. About 9pm, I couldn't keep my eyes open much longer, so had a shower and went to bed.


Madrid Atocha (Central Station)




Onboard the train to Seville




Room #419 AC Hotel Sevilla Forum (minus tea/coffee making facility)



View from my room












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