Zaragoza twilight

I was up at the crack of dawn and walked to the station to catch a fabulous high-speed train to Madrid. Madrid proved to be cold and wet upon my arrival, but that was fine as there was a warm welcome waiting at Bob and Ana’s house. I spent the day with the family and then it was back on a train at 300kmh to Zaragoza.

I’m in Zaragoza largely because it broke the trip North to San Sebastian, not because I have an agenda. I was here twenty-something years ago and the only memory I have of it is parking the car. Things did not start auspiciously when my hotel proved to be very disappointing, but that did encourage me to get out and explore.

The first stop was El Tubo, a rabbit warren of streets filled with bars and people going to bars. I had some absolutely fabulous tapas – the best I’ve ever had in fact. A potato, goats cheese thing, a pork-filled bun, asparagus wrapped in jamon; all while watching the people do their thing.

Feeling better for some food, I went for a wander in the twilight. The twisting core of Zaragoza is the Ebro River and, in particular, the old stone bridge which gives an amazing view of the town’s famous Basilica. It was totally beautiful and already I think coming here was a good decision.