The time has gone so fast
Probably the biggest surprise (so far) is language. In 1999 the people of Spain were much more fluent in English. When I ordered an omelet for lunch; I asked about ingredients and could only recognize mushrooms and artichokes. There was a third item that I couldn’t understand and I couldn’t really identify when I was eating. I am not complaining – I am the visiting country.
I have my CNN app on my iPad so I am able to keep current with world and US news and the stock market crash.
I found my local neighborhood bakery.
There is a plethora of architectural ornaments as you are walking along. This was on the corner of a building down some side street.
I entertained visitors yesterday afternoon. Terry (BFF), his spouse, Mike, and their friend Janet had flown in from Des Moines, IA. They were kind enough to bring me two ice cube trays. They are renting an apartment on the north end of Barcelona. It will be a great reunion when Lydia arrives later in the evening. Terry has not (physically) seen his daughter for a little over a year – she is with the Peace Corp in Cameroon and in spite of frequent Skyping, there is nothing like grabbing and hugging the real thing.
I offered each of them a banana in an effort to reduce my inventory, but there were no takers.
Have I dashed off to another country?
No – this is the Turkish restaurant on the corner where I had dinner last night. I have had some questions on food prices. This was salad, French fries and “mixed meat” which was thinly sliced beef and chicken. This cost 14€, or about $16.33. Two of the 56 restaurants down and 54 left to go. Would I go back to this one? Nope.
