After returning from Toledo we cleaned up a bit before meeting our hosts. Scarves are definitely in vogue throughout Spain as a dressy accent, and so those who had them wore them to the parade.
The parade was unlike any I have seen anywhere. From a crowd perspective, the only time I have ever seen spectators in these numbers might have been at the Rose Parade. But the energy level of this event surpassed anything I've seen in the States. What was really interesting to me was to see how important the event was for families. There were thousands and thousands of children everywhere.
The focus was completely on creating a safe and fun night-time parade for children. Unlike the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Dublin, I saw no trace of alcohol or any disorderly conduct. Many parents walked to the parade with ladders so their children could find a high post for viewing. We were fortunate that our hosts had reserved seats for us at the culminating point of the parade. While we waited for the parade to reach this plaza, we (and tens of thousands of others in this area) were treated to performances of Christmas carols by nationally renown children's choirs. The music was played throughout the city, and large video screens helped with more personal views of the musicians.
The parade was filled with many floats, the most interesting by far being an acrobat hanging from an illuminated balloon that was towed down the avenue by men holding large ropes.
The parade finished with the arrival of the Thee Kings to many cheering children and lots of fireworks.
Following the parade we did what we have learned all the Spanish so: ear dinner at 9:00 or 10:00 pm. Here is Emery at a Tapas Bar for "small plates" ...
... and Miles at the end of the dinner with his postlude dessert.
After a very short "nap" we were off to the Madrid airport at 4:15 AM.
Here Miles waives adios to Spain.
Our connection in Frankfurt was a bit tight. We pulled into gate A-11 at 9:20, with only one hour to get ourselves to Z-69, which turned out to be at the exact furthest gate from our arrival. I suspect we walked at least three-quarters of a mile, through immigration control (the kids got their passports stamped Germany!) and did speed walking across many, many long moving sidewalks. It took us 45 minutes to finally make it to Z-69.
Here we are, once seated.
Again, really proud of Miles and Emery; not a single cross word since we woke them up at 3:45 AM.
As I compose this blog post the GPS on my video monitor says we are at 35,000 feet and just pushing out over the Atlantic.
