pinkbirdflies

Saturday night and the group of 12 met for the first time then went to dinner at a local, family operated spanish bar/restaurant. We have kept Jaime as the tour leader and have a trainee lady from Majorca. We have a young girl Li from China (studying in the USA), Wendy and Chris from New Zealand, Mal and Di from Victoria, Marg and Pete(?) from Wangaratta Victoria, A younger Canadian fellow Ramone, Mel from Australia living in London, Annika a girl from Australia and Raphael a older fellow from Perth. the group seem to get along well and join in. We were up for an early 40 minute Madrid Metro trip before a 2 and  a half hour train trip through high, hilly country to Salamanca. Fairly nice hotel here and the town is old, pretty and has a central area with a very old university housed in Gothic style buildings and near cathedrals in a similar architectural style. We had our orientation walk and lunched together at a typical spanish restaurant. Our time is free to explore until 12pm tomorrow. P.S The Iberian ham we had last night was “black” meaning the very best. they carve all their ham on the spot with a special device to hold the leg. It is like a cured, dry style ham…not pink and moist like our leg ham.