So, after an almighty struggle, John and I hit paydirt with an amazing train, that led to some amazing sun.

The train to Alicante left from Madrid´s Atocha station at lunchtime, and John and I were unaware of the aggressive anti-loitering policy practiced by the security men there. Even my newly purchased Ingles-Espanol phrasebook was little help in locating non-existent seats to while away the time before boarding our train.

Once we got on the train, it was a different matter. I will never be able to go back to Viarail. The train we took from Madrid to Alicante was airconditioned and spacious, nonsmoking (anywhere nonsmoking is rare in Spain) and we bombed along at 200 kph. A video screen showed us our location on the map of Espana, and showed movies as well, and we had two or three radio stations, chosen using the airplane style radio and headphones provided.

John and I had splurged on our hotel, because the hotel had been recommended by a friend and the result was that we were staying at the Hotel La Zenia in Torraveija, near Alicante. John and I had rented a car to ease our passage, and the Hertz people were very friendly, helpful and located right outside the Alicante train station.

While taking the train down, we passed through Castilla y La Mancha, and the earth was red and vegetation sparse as we rattled on the through the sunburnt land. It has its own austere beauty, and is a mirror to the Canadian Arctic in its own way. Alicante is sun drenched. Although it was blowing a nice breeze over the land, I was blinded momentarily as we exited onto the sun beating down on the white concrete. Nervous about my skin, we made it to La Zenia.

La Zenia is a really nice hotel. Although more expensive than our previous accomodation, all our food was taken care of, with all you can eat buffets for breakfast and dinner, and the view out of our room was no less than the coast of the Mediterreanean Sea. The beach was steps away and the hotel boasted a beautiful pool.

There is not much to write of our time there, except that it was a nice break, and I have a tan! John and I had a great time playing in the Mediterreanean Sea. The undertow is quite strong there, and a child drowned on the beach whilst I was there. We spent much good time there.