Made it to Madrid

Hola! We are now in the capital city of Madrid for the final three nights of the journey (for most of us). Yesterday was a magnificent day in the Pyrenees Mountains followed by a concert in a lovely church, St. Steves, in the principality of Andorra. The only attraction for Andorra is shopping --- designer labels, that is. Most of us purchased very little as items were very expensive though it is tax free. The concert was lovely and very well received; it was our first concert with a real organ! Erica played beautifully and we sang quite beautifully as well. Our driver and guide gave us the option of taking the long way around through France and to the top of that portion of the Pyrenees. The view and drive was magnificent and breathtaking. We saw snow and actually went above the snow which had fallen only 15 days before. The air was clean and fresh with the temperature around 46 to 50 degrees.

Today was the bullet train from Lleida to Madrid. The train was very cool and quite fast. We all took something for lunch and ate on the train, purchasing drinks in the train cafeteria. We arrived in Madrid in approximately 2 hours traveling at 180 mph on "The Duck" as it is affectionately referred to by the locals. We have checked in to the hotel and many are walking around the area about the hotel (McDonald´s is next door) to check on available shopping. We have dinner in a bit at 8:15 p.m. local time at a nearby restaurant.

Will try to write again soon. We see El Escorial and Segovia tomorrow!