I have posted before about the fast food found in Ávila and other cities throughout Spain. We committed to eating local to be able to really feel like we were a part of Spanish culture, but every now and then you just have to eat something “from home.” Of course, nothing tastes quite like it does back home. Ingredients are just not the same and the preference of the locals are different than they are in the States, but it is close.
One of the other reasons you must (or at least choose to) eat fast food is that when you are traveling, your options are more limited. The Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport is one of those places where it just seems easier to stop at a place you know, like Starbucks or McDonalds.
On this day a year ago, we had a late flight out to Nice, France for our Fall Break. After rushing from our final class to the train station then to another metro station to get to the airport, we had a few minutes to stop and catch our breath before continuing to France.
What I remember most about this stop is first, the joy of having the entire family together. Luke was able to come over for the break and both having him with us, as well as his experience having traveled around Europe the previous year was a blessing. The second reason this moment was such a joy is we ran into at least two other groups headed to their own places for the break. One was a family who had been in to see their daughter, the other group was some of our students headed out on an adventure of their own.
I don’t know if the food was better that specific day, but the memories of the day sure made it seem like one of the best meals we had our entire time there.