some swank trains, particularly those running to Madrid from the French border, and the 2nd class diesel trains whose tickets are premium priced aren't too bad, but as a rule Spanish trains are not the best and schedules are poorly kept. They are apt to be crowded in all but first class and except for the special trains mentioned above, very dirty. The government is currently spending a good deal of money revamping the railroads but how long this will take is a question. However, rates are very cheap and this is one country in which we recommend that you travel first class, particularly if you want a seat. Roads are no better than railroads. There are a few passable highways, once again mostly stemming from Madrid which is, of course, centrally located and dominates Spain as Mexico City does Mexico. If you planned to buy a car in Spain upon arrival I strongly advise against it. At this writing it would cost you from two to three times as much to buy a car in Spain as it would in the United States or one of the other European countries. Taxes on cars are sky-high. Usually, Americans residing in Spain buy their car in Gibralter, Tangier, France or England and then drive it into Spain as a tourist. Under this arrangement you are at present only allowed to have it for two and a half years, then it must be taken from the country, and you are not allowed to return with it for another six months. Happily there are rumors, at this writing, of the law being changed. I suggest that you check with the A.A.A. if this is one of your problems. Mechanics in Spain are good and repair prices low unless new parts are involved. The gas is expensive and of very poor quality and the oil is horrible. § THE SPANIARDS. It is possible to type a people such as the Swiss or the Danes with a certain amount of accuracy but when you take a country as large as Spain it becomes as difficult as it would be to type the American. Obviously all Americans aren't the same—neither are all 60 million Spaniards. In Andulusia in the south, for instance, live the gypsies and although I have no prejudices in matters of race, nationality, or
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