May 26, 1969 Madrid, Spain

We arrived on the train from Seville and went to theAmerican Express office to pick up mail.  I have none.  So much for being missed.  Then we went to the post office.  I assumed we mailed something.

We spent the best part of the day visiting the Royal Palace, which in 1969 did not have any royalty living there.  The palace was completed in 1755 and is the largest palace in Europe.  I commented that it was the most beautiful palace we had seen thus far on our trip.

By Alvesgaspar [CC BY-SA 3.0], from Wikimedia Commons

By Antonio.velez [CC BY-SA 3.0 es], from Wikimedia Commons

Diego Delso [CC BY-SA 4.0], from Wikimedia Commons

Upon leaving the palace we walked around the city before boarding the evening train to Barcelona.

Yesterday and today's expenses come to $9.48.  If we never buy any souvenirs or trinkets we can keep to $10/day.

May 21, 1969 Madrid, Spain

We have some time to kill before we get on the train again so we do what most women do (though not something I would do today) - we went shopping for jewelry.  I bought two rings; one for me and one for my sister.  I have never seen her wear hers and not sure if she still has it.  Here is mine:

Originally the ring had zircons (I think) encircling the pearl, but I had those changed out back in the 70's.  The ring is 18K gold and is quite pretty - not that I wear much jewelry anymore.

Then we went to pick up our mail and I had a few letters from friends back home.  According to the diary we are a day behind on our itinerary.  And I am the one who has messed up.  I did not indicate where we spent an extra day.  I did not keep a copy of the original plan.

For the next week we will be travelling on the train.  Today we arrive in Granada an hour behind schedule.  The man at the information booth got us a reservation at the Hotel La Perla for $1.30 a night.  It's still there but about $63 a night.  El cheapo.

The rings were $20 each and my total for the day was $40.25.  What did I eat???