Day 1: First Class and Madrid

Arriving the airport about an hour before the flight, we attempted to schmooze the gate worker with a courteous smile and happy new year in order to be bumped to first class. Although she seemed disinterested in our attempts, we scored 2 of the remaining 29 business class seats. Excellente!


The Flight only got better with a hard fought game of head-to-head chess, Galaktor, episodes of The Office, and The Flight of the Chondors. Not to mention a fully reclining seat, (which I had not discovered all the positions until 5 minutes before landing), 4 course meal, including breakfast, and a New Years Toast of club soda...











We arrived at 8:30 in the morning after virtually no sleep and met our wonderful friend Raphael in good spirits. Then it was off to the Plaza de Espana to settle in at our apartment overlooking the square. We took a stroll in the crisp 35 degree air for a much needed "wake up". Stopped at a Panderia for some espresso, viewed the Templo de Debod.






Soon enough, it was time for dinner and we went
to a marvelous Turkish restaurant to celebrate Leo's "birthday" once again. Then it was up to the apartment to finish off the day with a triumvirate of Opus X cigars..




Happy New Year from Raphael, Tim and Leo!!!