The Park and the Funicular

My friend Steffen suggested among other things to ride the funicular over the Casa de Campo Park. I asked for directions from the woman working at the front desk of my hotel. She didn't speak English but between showing her a text with the name of the place and her translation app on her phone we communicated just fine. I needed to walk to the Plaza de Espana then take the metro to Lago then walk 25 minutes or so to the Teleferico funicular. So, no problem. 

I did the first part correctly and got off at Lago, which I figured out means lake or lagoon, after I got out of the metro and saw a lovely park with a lake nearby. I almost teared up with the beauty of the fall trees and the peaceful feeling of the place. After the frenetic pace and crowds of people that I have experienced over the past couple days, this was a balm to my soul. It obviously was a favorite locale for the sporty crowd. Lots of bicyclists, joggers, walkers, kayakers, and families were there taking advantage of the beautiful Sunday morning. I walked around the lake and then asked for directions to the funicular which I couldn't see. I was instructed to walk past the tennis courts in order to spot the funicular. Then I simply needed to walk up the hill to the station. I found the tennis courts and then walked around on the many paths crisscrossing the park until I finally found the top. It wasn't quite as straight forward as it sounds... On the way I was passed by people on horseback, cross country bicycles, joggers and a few guys who couldn't wait for ski season and were using roller blades/ skis and ski poles as they flew down the gravelly paths. 

I bought my ticket and boarded the tram. There wasn't any one in line so I had it to myself. I enjoyed the views over the park and into the city. The other end was near the Royal Palace and it would have been a lot simpler to just have gone there, but then I would have missed walking around the lake. I made my way back down to the lake by a different route and had a coffee at one of the little lakeside restaurants and read my book until the weather changed and started to be chilly.