Adios Madrid
The circus has left town. Adam and all in the TREK group have moved on to Belgium. I was invited to stay with Jeremy so I left Madrid (and all internet connection) today for the RLX camp in Miraflores, which is about 40k north of Madrid. It was less than easy getting from one train down 4 flights of stairs to another subway train, to a bus whose driver hated me and my bags and almost didn’t let me board (man I wish I packed lighter). This sweet old lady convinced the bus driver to let me on (not sure how since I had enough baggage to take up 2 seats plus my sorry self AND did not have anything smaller than a 20€ - the ride only cost 2€). Then I almost got off the bus twice at the wrong stop but luckily my guardian angel clued me into the fact that my stop was further down the line. I got off the bus, waved to my new grandma and the sky’s opened up. I had no idea where JHK’s place was so I ducked into a small bar and ordered a beer. It came with a plate of cheese, crackers and something I didn’t recognize but scarfed down anyway. I watched the rain come down and smiled. It’s the little accomplishments that make traveling in a place where you don’t know the language an adventure. And beer always makes me happy.
Dan, JHK’s mechanic and friend came by in his rental van and picked me up. We rolled up to their place and man, it was one of the nicest little apartments I’ve ever seen. Certainly European from the outside but all sorts of styled on the inside. Shortly after I arrived we headed out to the grocery store for dinner’s provisions. An hour later we were eating steaks, esparagus (sp?) and potatoes sipping really good wine. Dan and JHK had been clued in by local cycling journalist Manuel Maqueda. He had hooked them with their place, gave them great wine suggestions and mapped out training routes. Local knowledge turned out to be key. We sat in the sky-lit dinning room off from the kitchen and ate like kings. It was another piece of the puzzle that I occasionally filmed and mostly just took in. Eventually we moved to the entertainment room and watched my 2004 adventure film, 4 Seasons. JHK left for bed and Dan and I headed for the payphones. I couldn’t make mine work and Dan finished his calls so we headed for one of the many tiny bars that must be the backbone of the España economy. Dan dared me to eat the anchovie that came with out beer (and complimentary tapas) so I did - kinda regretting that move now…). I’m stoked to hang with Dan and JHK. They’re both at elite levels in this industry but are super kind and very considerate. They have both asked me tons of questions about the film and were really excited about seeing the trailer. Makes the hours of editing worth it.
Now I’m laying in bed wondering what tomorrow will bring.
Guess i should get some sleep…
