Madrid, No te preocupes!

(Steve looking up the Chinese GDP)

Yesterday was an eventful day. I decided to take it easy and relax. My next stop was going to be Lisbon Portugal so I went to the central station and bought my ticket. It was going to be an eleven hour night train from Madrid to Lisbon. I came back to the hostel and met a couple from Australia. Steve and Yiota had been travelling through Europe for awhile. I found them to be pleasant and easy to talk to. I usually stay away from couples. They're not smart social investments when you're travelling by yourself. They tend to levitate toward each other or other couples. But these two were different.

We chatted about philosophy, books, religion and my favourite topic: US politics. At the end, Steve and I made a bet that if in 30 years the Chinese are the sole superpower I have to fly him out to Canada and show him a good time, and if the Americans are still the superpower he has to do the same for me in Australia. I'm not much of a gambler but I'm pretty sure I'm safe on this bet.

(Yiota)

As we chatted more, I learned that Steve, Yiota and I were heading out to Lisbon on the same train. I booked the same hostel they were staying at in Lisbon and pretty much took it easy for the rest of the day. One of the fun things I've been doing a lot, which I suggest anyone seeking absolute serenity to try, is to nap by a water fountain. One thing I love about Paris and now Madrid is that there is always a fountain somewhere close by. Sound of moving water and the heat from the sun make for the perfect recipe to relax and unwind. Try it next time, just take off your shirt, lay down on the brick foundation and nap for hours. It is heavenly.