Hi all!
This will probably be a short post, but here are a few updates from the past couple of days.
Yesterday I went to Madrid and Beyond to pick up the information for Mom, M, and Emma’s trip, which is only 2 weeks away!! I finally met Carla, who has been arranging almost everything for both of the trips for the family. She is very nice and knowledgeable about Spain. It was great to put a face to the name!
After that errand, I went to Starbucks for a snack (yogurt cup) and a mint tea. It was a nice break, and I looked over the information for the trip to Barcelona. I am very excited for that weekend because Barcelona looks fabulous! And it’s great that I have been able to do different kinds of trips this semester—traveling with friends is fun but traveling with family and going on nice tours and staying in fancy hotels is often even better! I am lucky to be able to do both.
While I was sitting outside at Starbucks, a few people surprised me. Two men, who I think must have been homeless, came up and investigated the cups that were left sitting on tables to see if anything was left in them. The second man also dug through the garbage can to find any leftover coffee. I tried not to appear shocked by this, but I have never seen anything like that right in front of me. It’s very hard to see people in such desperate situations and not know what to do to help. I wish I could save the world, but I’m often hindered by my own fears and need for safety and security.
I also saw some American tourists and was initially thrown off because they were speaking English! I’ve grown so accustomed to not understanding the people around me that it was weird when I overheard my own language! I often wonder if I stand out at American when I am in Madrid by myself. I hope I blend in, but sometimes I feel that everyone stares and me and knows that I don’t belong. It’s a disconcerting feeling.
Last night, I went out around 11 with a few girlfriends. When I was out and about last weekend, I spotted an American-style 50’s diner, so I wanted to go back there and see what it was all about. So, we went out, even though it was pouring down rain, and we ended up having a great time. When we first walked in, the place was packed and we were told it would be a 40-minute wait. But we didn’t have anything else to do and we were already there so we just hung out and waited by the bar. The place was so fun and American, but it was packed with Spanish people! Apparently, they can’t get enough of us—our music, movies, and now our old-fashioned diners!! Haha. When we finally got our table, we ordered milkshakes. SO DELICIOUS! I was going to have a burger, but I’m never hungry after Maria’s dinners, so I just got dessert. And it was wonderful. I’m definitely going back to that place!
Steve arrives today in only a little bit, so I’m going to the airport to meet him soon. Hopefully he enjoys his week in Madrid as much as I’ve enjoyed the past two months!
Love you all,
Elizabeth
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