Nothing but the Start

One of the “fun” things about living in a country where I don’t (yet) know the language is I often purchase things that do not make sense.

For example, the other day I was at a lovely café, which I frequent on occasion when by some miracle I am early for Spanish class.  Instead of only ordering my usual café con leche, I went out on a ledge and  ordered tostada con tomate as well.  But it wasn’t that simple because the waitress then gave me a choice using vocabulary that is not on my top ten list.  Given the choice of two words, I chose “rebanada”— and stuck with it even though the waitress looked at me dubiously and asked again.  Si, rebanada, I said.  Of course I know what I’m talking about.

So, instead of toasted ciabatta, which is awesome…I got one slice of bread.

Today, I went to the drug store (which is not a pharmacy but more of a perfumeria where they sell  brand name cosmetics) to buy fabric softener.  Yup, I can buy Estee Lauder night crème and a bathroom plunger in the same place.

I thought I could go without fabric softener considering the laundry takes two full hours for a cycle of cotton – plus, Spain hasn’t allowed me to live as green as I am accustomed so I figured ditching the fabric softener was one small step.  (Fabric softener and sheets are not that good for la madre tierra.)

Needless to say, after wearing cardboard for three weeks, I have caved until further notice.  But, just try buying fabric softener in a store where you don’t recognize any of the brands and even the detergent looks alien. No fear though, because while my language skills have not improved as much as I would like, my charade skills are in tip top shape and I got help from the store clerk.

Which brings me to my second domestic shopping trip of the day to the grocery store – a place that needs its own post at another time.  It had been a really cold day and I had been outside of the city visiting a monastery and Franco’s tomb (you know, the usual) and I really wanted  to make hot chocolate at home.  The supermarket shelves only had Nescafe and I thought I’d have to go home empty handed.  But, then I saw the Nesquick bunny with a steaming cup of chocolate.  Trust me, I investigated the package at length to make sure there was no cold chocolate milk shown – only hot.  All good.  Hot chocolate mix.  yAy.  This is what I bought:

But, with all that investigation, how did I not notice the heavy eye lids on the Nesquick bunny?  How did I not see that he is wearing PAJAMAS and IN BED?  Not to mention the word “Noche” splashed across the front with a half moon in the middle.

Sometimes Spain is weird.  I mean, sleep inducing hot chocolate?  Of course I would buy that.

Where to start. One week ago, I was boarding a plane in Boston – and now I am in Madrid.

Some basics from this past week:

The Computer: The accent mark on a Spanish keyboard is exactly where you would find the apostrophe.  In fact, the whole keyboard is close to my English keyboard.  Just close enough that I make a lot of mistakes if I don’t stare down at the keys while I type.  My Rippowam typing teacher would be appalled. Everything at work is in Spanish, so I have no clue how to operate Outlook or Word or the printer or the phone.  Even the shortcut commands are different.  For example, “Ctrl S” underlines while “Ctrl G” saves.

Animals: I’ve seen three cats near work – near the buildings away from the streets.  They look like they live on their own and any city that has cats roaming around is fine by me.  Also, one out of three people seem to have a little dog, all perfectly groomed of course.  My temp apartment is in a bit of a posh area and I saw one lady walking her little dog which was rocking some very nice hot pink bangs. Have to admit, I liked it.

Working hours: My office hours are going to take some getting used to.  Or not.  Here they are:

• 9am: arrive at work
• 11am: coffee break (as in, go to the coffee shop down the street and stand there and drink your coffee)
• 2-3:30/4pm: lunch (as in, huge meal with wine or beer, and desert)
• 5pm: coffee break
• 8pm: travel home

I actually don’t mind working so late (yet anyway) because most of the people I need to get in contact with (not to mention friends and family) are just getting into their day when my evening is starting.  But I gotta say, I was kinda tired at the end of each day.  But this could have been the whole “move your entire life to another country” thing I’ve got going on right now.  Yeah, that could have been it.

Food:  Yes, everything you’ve heard about how amazing the food is… it is all true.  One simple lunch I washed down with sangria last week was a plate of grilled octopus, a plate of calamari, and some toast with salmon and cheese.  On multiple mornings I have started the day with tostada con tomate.  I’ve also had more potatoes in the past week than I have had all year. I had what seemed like a potato frittata shoved into a baguette.  Another lunch included baby new potatoes with smoked salmon and capers on top.  Olive oil everywhere.  I have drunken more beer and eaten more bread in the last week than I did in the last month.  So far, I have managed not to eat any jamon.

Nightlife:  Madrileños stay up forever.  I was warned about this and everyone I meet confirms it.  They eat late, then they go to the bar, then they go clubbing, then they go to the bar again and then they go eat when the sun is coming up.  I might not be sad if I never do this.

This weekend, my first full weekend in Madrid, I was lucky enough to have Rosa and Eduardo in town.  Originally from Madrid, Rosa was visiting family and so I met up with them and some of their friends on Saturday night.  We went from bar to bar to bar, ending up at a coffee shop called Nuevo Café Barbieri. It was smoke-filled, tables covered with whiskey and coffee and ashtrays, occupied by people of all ages – from romantic couples to boisterous large groups.

In fact, I shouldn’t say this is “nightlife” because the cafes and bars and patios everywhere at all times of the day are filled.  Walking around, even on Sunday, I saw plazas filled with people.  People sitting on benches, reading or socializing, in cafes with just a small cup of coffee.  No one, it seemed, would rather be tucked away in their home.

Much much more later, but it’s now time to begin week two.