First time a pilot came out to apologize for a late flight—he did it twice, over the mic to all, then walked around and took questions. [Really: last night, but first part of flight in essence.]
First high-elevation corporate witticism I had to “share.” [We left about three hours late; our destination: Madrid.]
Best airline food I’ve ever eaten. Yum. Truly.
We took off in the rental car, headed north, and the first time we hit a dirt road we saw our first caballero.
First Roman villa. This is a late one, and the central courtyard-garden still sports a tree.
First five-arch Medieval bridge. Last modified in 1973.
First Neanderthal cave cluster (mostly protected from the elements with a roof or with small openings—fenced, so we couldn’t get closer).
First fabulous sky of the trip.
First mystery. Sign says the water isn’t potable.
First dramatic bottleneck/pass we’ve driven through.
First night’s hotel room view.
We’re getting into the swing of the Spanish lifestyle: we will dine tonight at 8:30; only two more hours to wait. Over and out.