The Center of the World

Route: somewhere - Madrid - Zürich
Time: 7am - 5pm
Highlights: We arrive in Madrid quite on time and it's still dark. As we didn't quite exactly sleep on the flight we are rather tired (Peter almost falls asleep in the Metro later on). Peter - restless as ever - luckily insists that we go into town as our flight only leaves at three o'clock in the after noon. A good decision. The weather is beautiful and within a mere 40 minutes we travel to the center.
It may only take 35 minutes to get into town but it takes you longer to get to the metro in the first place. Madrid's airport Barajas is a big one (some terminals seem as far apart as the airport Kloten from Zürich) and then it's under construction. And since we also have to get a boarding pass for our last stub of the trip, we probably get to the Puerta del Sol after 9am. Still early enough to see Madrid deserted. Our senses are used to faded colors so getting out of the underground is like discovering a new world of colors: The buildings are almost shiny (and very well maintained). It's a pleasure to stroll around. At Sol, you'll find Spain's km zero. We find our way to the Plaza Mayor, my camera's clicking away - I still have lots of storage space. Time for a rich (healthy start) breakfast: Peter is longing for a good expresso, while I'm drooling over ham sandwiches. As soon as I order them I see they have Churros, so I add a portion of them (I probably had them more than 10 years ago, when I was in Andalusia with Oliver) with thick hot chocolate. I feel good again. Strengthened we take off to the Palacio Real. Then we slowly head back past the Teatro Real and allow ourselves a little shopping (another thing we haven't done in 5 weeks). El Corte Ingles is the place to go (Peter still needs to get a little souvenir for his daughter Palma, I go and check out the DVD section for a Spanish flick (I find Volver from Almodovar). Then back to the airport. Thanks to me we are way too early at the gate - next time I'll be more relaxed.
The last hop is a beautiful flight as the visibility is excellent all the way up. Finally, some 30 hours after getting up in Arica we're home in one piece from a extraordinary trip with many great things to remember.
Obviously, I'll be back.
Oh, we know we are back in Switzerland. The officers at the Swiss passport counters are as unfriendly as ever - I miss some of these guys in Chile. What a difference it makes to be received by a friendly greeting - or not.

Tip of the day: Madrid is a good round up of a South America trip - it's were it all started (beauty for some, misery for others). For a few Euros you get the Madrid Transportes day-pass and the underground takes you right into the city (no. 8 to Nuevos Ministerios, no. 10 to Tribunal and no. 1 to Sol; connections and frequencies are great). Do not hesitate to ask at the big Metro information center in the airport before you head into town. They are very helpful.

Intermezzo: No luggage. Don't be too quick to say, oh, these Chileans. The 8 hours of change-over time in Madrid were not sufficient for the backpack to get to the right plane. Basically all passengers from Santiago were waiting for their stuff in vain. The good thing is, we don't need to drag our 20kg sack home - it will be delivered to the door step two days later.

Temperatures: higher 20°C's (as before I have no summer cloths, my feet are stuck in heavy boots and they fell as they "a bit" swollen.
Hotel: none
Restaurant: a little bar just off Plaza Mayor
The last food note: Now I swear this is the last comment on food. A slice of Pata Negra jamón (cured ham) and some churros dunked in hot chocolate compensates for almost 5 weeks of simple meals and reminds me that I actually enjoy eating (and love Spain).