Travel Log

I arrived in Madrid at Estación de Chamartin almost exactly on time. Trains so far have been very punctual for both local and long-distance travel. The US airlines could sure learn a few things about scheduling from these folks.

The train station is in the northern part of Madrid and my hostel (MAD Hostel) was in city center. The trip into town was easily accomplished by metro with only one line change. Coming up out of the metro station I pulled out my trusty directions and the required city map I’m ready to head off for the hostel. I’ve started collecting a city map from each Tourist Information office before ever leaving the train station. Unfortunately, the streets around the metro station were nothing like what I saw around me. Okay, now what? Just start walking is my usual method of figuring out where I am. I’ve discovered that there are so any small streets in the historic sections of town that the tourist maps only depict about one out of every six of them. That, coupled with a distinct lack of street signs, can make navigation a challenge. This particular adventure was quickly solved. After wandering down the street for a couple of hundred yards I came upon another entrance to the same station. Ooooops… I exited the station at the wrong place. After locating the correct exit it was easy to follow my directions the 8 blocks to the hostel.