First of all, the family I am with is fantastic. They have made me feel so welcome...they introduce me as Saint Eryn to everyone
they meet (I think they were pretty ready for a bit of time to themselves!). I felt totally comfortable since the moment we met at the airport. The kids are adorable...definitely active...they keep us all on our toes! They are very respectful of my room and walk past slowly, look in, and giggle and run when they see me. They asked me if they could come in the other day and they sat on my bed and looked at pictures of my family and friends. Then they wanted to listen to music on my ipod...I found my "Bingo Kids" album and they knew the words to all the Beatles songs...very cute.
Yesterday we celebrated my birthday (since I totally forgot on the 8th!)..we made a special trip to get xocolata calenta...this crazy hot chocolate that is more the consistency of pudding...oh the kids had fun with that. They also got me a cake and candles and sang to me. The kiddos are quite the singers (the dads also, for that matter)...they have a song for just about every occasion.Today was my first day on my own. I had 3 things I needed to do. Get shampoo and conditioner, find/get a prepaid cell phone, and find a store with electric converters. In the 6 hours I was out...I managed to get shampoo and conditioner. It was rough. Before I left the apartment, I made sure to write down my address and walked completely around the block so I knew which streets are around us...I decided to go wandering for a bit.
Went to the La Sagrada Familia...which is this amazing cathedral- it was Gaudi's last big hurrah. Side note- I love the Gaudi stuff...I had no idea. There is a building near our apartment (can't think of the name off the top of my head) but it looks like it belongs in the Little Mermaid...I think King Triton and Ariel's sisters live inside. Anyway...I went walking through a ton of side streets- knowing I was going to be all turned around when I got out, but not even caring because they are SO cute. Little markets and pretty balconies with flowers...so cute. Everything you would picture.Decided it was time to get to business and found a phone store. Had to my make my Spanish-speaking debut...yeah, didn't go over well. We both got our points across, but I don't know that she answered what I was looking for. So I left. Feeling unbelievably frustrated and upset...Found another phone store and it went much better. I was all ready for the purchase, when she told me she needed my pasaporte...which I didn't have on me (I really don't want to carry that around and lose it!!) So I told her I would come back. All the while, it has been Seattle sprinkling...Barcelona has been in a huge draught, by the way. So I have my coat on, a little wet, but perfectly fine. I start my way back to the apartment. It took a little while for me to find my way back to a familiar street, but I made it...found our metro station and our local grocery store...knew I was in the right area. Found our street. Went to the address...not my apartment building. It was AN apartment building...so I thought, hmmm...maybe this is another entrance that I've never noticed before. Put my key in the door, it turns and lets me in. Definitely not our lobby. I get in the elevator and go up to the 4th floor...nope, not the right building. I'm at the right address, my key worked...at this point, I am sure I have entered an alternate universe. I walked up and down the street...nothing. I don't know how to explain my problem in spanish "I found my address, but it isn't actually my apartment...". So I finally went into a hotel, knowing they would speak English, explained...he let me use the internet, I looked up our address...I wrote the number down wrong...back out the door and on my way to the correct address. Sigh.
It is now downpouring...the rain has soaked through my coat, my jeans have soaked water up to my knees. I make it in, grab my passport, run back out to find the phone store....SURPRISE...apparently everything closes between 2 and 4pm. What?! So...I went back to the apartment, took a hot shower and decided to study my map a bit. :)
So that is where I am now. The guys went out to dinner, the kids are in bed...and I have some free time for email. yay! Tomorrow will be better. I am going to try to go to Mass...I think it is all in Latin, which will be cool. Depending on the weather, I might just go to a movie or something...my coat is still soaked through...and this rain is supposed to continue for a few more days. Draught...right!
That's all for now...more to come.
