October 28 - Train Station Trial Run

This week we are getting our first guests and they are arriving Tuesday evening on the train.  Sadly, there is a chance of rain on Tuesday - so I walked to the train station this afternoon to make sure I knew the fastest bus route with the shortest walk for the Tuesday evening trip.

On my way, I snapped a photo of this piece of a very old city wall that just stands as a decoration in a median now.

I also cut through a small neighborhood park where a family was setting up for a kids Halloween party.  Halloween is not a big deal here  - but a growing number of families are celebrating.  Of course, in this primarily Catholic country, November 1st - All Saints Day - is a National Holiday.  Families tend to use the day to clean up cemetery plots of family members and leave fresh flowers in addition to attending mass. 

At the train station, I caught the bus back toward home.

We don't ride the bus often, and I enjoyed the short ride through the city.  I got off at the stop directly across the bridge from our flat.  There is a building right at the bus stop that historically was an old fish market.  Now it houses a number of stalls with foods and drinks - they are a little pricey and the clientele is mostly tourists, but if you are craving Sushi or Nachos or a fancy Smoothie - you can get one there.  The large patio of the building had a huge screen during the world cup and occasionally has events.  This week there is an "Octoberfest" set up with long tables and a bar with stacks of mugs for the Paulaner beer that is on tap.  It is not quite as crowded as the Octoberfest in Munich (or even as the Octoberfest in Leavenworth Washington), but at least you can get a beer other than the local Cruzcampo on tap if you like.  I gave it a pass.