Day 18

Dana was a bit frazzled this morning as she had to pick up her mother from the airport and was running late. I’m excited for her to be able to spend time with her mother since she is here alone. Between a few words I picked out from her frantic ramblings and her wild gestures, I she was asking me to cover a few things in the house for her. I was actually happy to do some housework besides the minimal stuff I do in the evenings and I didn’t mind leaving a little later since I had tonight off. The family left with some friends for the weekend so I’m free until Monday.

With the extra time, I took a deep breath and . . . went shopping. :O The last 18 days on this trip I have been confused and humbled. I realize basic things I don’t know how do to here. I need two tries to write the date correctly, face north, and construct or understand a coherent sentence in Castellano. I can hardly shop in the United States, you can only imagine this girl trying to shop in Spain with European sizes added to the whole mess that comes with shopping. I at least was able to find the stores that are Liz-friendly that I will be returning to after some sessions of deep breathing, self-affirmations, and correspondence with Lindsay. :p

When I got to a point just short of hyperventilating I quit the shopping and ran to Museo de Romanticismo. It was a nice little visit. One of the workers there would freak out whenever someone got close to stepping off the carpet designated for tourists. A couple French goofballs toured with me and enjoyed toying with her and pushing her buttons. She would act flabbergasted, roll her eyes, and swear in Spanish under breath. It added a level of entertainment to this quaint little palace hidden in an obscure street.

Another Friday night and I am not dancing. This is the longest I’ve gone without going dancing in the past three years—I miss it! Hopefully I can find some people to check out the dance venues with here.