So when I last left you, I had just spent my first day out on my own…it wasn’t so great…but saw some loveliness. Sunday, my second day on my own, started out, sadly, very similar to my Saturday. I got up early to go to Mass- I had a hard time finding schedules online…darn Spanish websites…so I found an English-speaking service…that was a bit far away…but I figured out the metro and walking…got on the metro and found out that the train I was taking is under construction. SO after only one stop, I had to get off and take a bus a little ways. Luckily a nice man saw me looking at a map, and explained the construction/bus thing to me…very slowly. Well, turns out the bus only goes a little bit of the way- so I had to get BACK on the metro…everything was going well- I was running a tad bit late, but figured I could catch communion and coffee and donuts afterward….and the train totally skipped my stop. So I got off, and went back the other direction…skipped right over it. No idea. So I got off and started walking, realizing it was much too far to the church-coffee and donuts would be long over- and I just needed to make it back to a familiar train stop.
I found it and decided I needed to spend some good ol time in the tourist-y spots. So I went to Las Ramblas…very pretty- tons of street performers (apparently just about everyone gets pickpocketed here because they are so busy watching the performers in big crowds…I was very careful- not to worry). I wandered…had lunch…got a pastry…walked along the waterfront…strolled for a good 5 hours again. It was
nice.Monday was my first day “on” with the kids. We got up…had breakfast, got dressed…then we went to a park. It was great Weather was if-y…it was supposed to rain but the morning was nice. We met the dads for lunch and then went to another playground. I think that is what most of our days are going to look like. We did that again
today. The weather was beautiful today…sunny and warm, but not too hot.I finally got a cell phone today. I did my best with the Spanish, and the lady was helpful. You can’t get a short term contract, so have to do a pre paid phone…but they don’t charge a certain amount by minute, because it all depends on the time of day you call and where you are calling…so I don’t really know how many minutes I have…and it seems muy expensivo to me. So don’t be expecting any lengthy phone conversation. But I do have a Barcelona phone number…which is exciting.
I had my first social outing tonight. Went to an “intercambios” which is a group that meets fairly often to socialize for an hour in English and an hour in Spanish. Turns out that I was the only English as first language speaker tonight- and they are all super excited to practice their English (oh, you are from Seattle- Meg Ryan movie is so romantic)…so it was pretty much an all English conversation. But it was nice to meet new people and chat! I’ll definitely go again. Tomorrow I am going to start taking a language class (hopefully, if I can get to the school in time…and my bank will finally let me take money out from over here…grrr)
I had a sad, homesick moment last night. I had the realization that I can keep up with some of my tv shows online…Lost, Greys Anatomy, Desperate Housewives, etc…so I thought I would watch an episode…got online and this popped up “only viewers in the United States can watch full-length episodes” Darn other countries. Jeez.
Anyway…I’m tired, I need to go to sleep. I’ll write more soon…and add some new pics. I figured out how to format it the way I want the pictures, I just haven’t had time. Miss you mucho!! Seriously, mucho!!
