What a frustrating day.

I don´t speak a word of Spanish, and I am the first to say that it is something I should learn. However, John and I could not get a reservation for Eurail anywhere, due to massive language difficulties in Estacion Chamartin.

Ah, the joys of travelling. I don´t mind telling you that I wished I could close my eyes just then and wake up back in Montreal or in Fenwick. It´s just one of those times when you feel fed up.

I wasn´t in the best of moods because I guess my stomach is having problems settling, as I woke up in need of the magic pink bullet (that´s Pepto Bismol everybody).

John and I are next going to Torravieja (my first visit to the beach!) and to Valencia, not Barcelona. Barcelona would have been incredible, I´m sure, but there is a large trance music festival there next week, and the accomodations are tight. So we are planning on taking a boat to Livorno, Italy, and then explore Italy. Arguably, we are spending too long in Spain, but, whatever.

Today we went to the Museo Reina Sofia, a converted hospital in Madrid. It houses a large collection of modern art, including Picasso´s famous Guernica, probably the man from Malaga´s masterpiece. Even John was impressed. Guernica was a good match for my mood, because at time of writing, we still have to sort out that train problem.

I´m looking forward to the beach, and someone else to talk to other than John, and I´m sure he is feeling the same. Luckily, we found a Starbucks just off the Paseo de Prado, so his three day coffee fast was over.

Sometimes - I don´t know.

There are upsides - we can get our tickets from a guichet tomorrow, or tonight, and things will get sorted out. That is what I have come to realize - sometimes, when you can´t get something done immediately, you just have to try again later.