As I know have experienced several visits from family and friends, there is one thing I never do:
Ask them for help.
So far most people have been fairly good about it-my favorite being my friend Tori and sis Mara, who are both neurotic cleaners, such as I am, but only when having friends over.
I can be sloppy, at times, mostly when I simply don't have the time. Other times, when I'm deliberately selfish I want to spend time reading in the sun.
So my new motivation is to make people join the cleaning activities more. I know they are on holiday, but, hey-it's free boarding, and I'm not an hotel. Nor get I paid for hosting. I, however think, paying me off with goodies is a legal currency ;)
Seriously, it's not only about preparing food, it's keeping your stuff to yourself, or at the guestroom as much as possible, not taking up the hangmat when specified I want to use it, or clearing up dishes after yourself. It's not that bad usually. It's just after a while, people start to feel relaxed about being here and I end up cleaning for twice as much people and having to work and entertain in between.
I'm not gonna let that happen. I hope. I'm just not good at asking for help. As I said. I just end up feeling guilty.... oh boy....
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Memoires of a Roteña
So much can happen in such a short time.
A few days ago, we waved my dear friend Paige goodbye, as her Spanish adventures are over, having spend nearly 3 months in the mediterranean. We've spend Semana Santa and Feria together, 2 of the most important holidays after Christmas, and tons of other city and/or beachtrips. It was a time full of tapas, rioja and laughter. The happy memories will always stay with me and cannot wait for her return.
With her moving towards a new era in her life, so do we. Tomorrow we'll be leaving for a 6 day visit to my parents, to celebrate my grandmothers 86th birthday. As we planned, my sister and her boyfriend are also coming over from England, since we haven't seen eachother in over a year now, seemed like the perfect oportunity to have the whole family together.
After that, who knows. I know summer is starting. I've already spend numerous days in the sun, when work permits it. That usually means a time full of hot, sweaty days, chilling at the beach, drinking cocktails in Chiringuito's, weekends with friends. Just delightful.
I also know that my other dear friend Daphne, is coming to us for a week with her long-term boyfriend Roel, and baby Keane. I'm very much looking forward to that.
In life, I find a few things that are important to me. Apart from the obvious- my boyfriend, our families, dogs and our friends. I also know that spending time with either of them are just as important. You know, not taking granted for what you have, but appreciate it. Time comes and always goes, the memories won't.
If you don't put yourself out there, making life happen, than life happens to you. You'll meet people, but not taking an interest will never lead you to a new friendship, a potential workoportunity, and so on.
I know of people that never travel anywhere, don't even leave town, don't like to socialise, just don't like spending money. What good is money going to do, when you are 85, with nobody to share it with? Never enjoying life, not having great memories of stupid things you've done.
That's why I love travelling, meeting new people, having new experiences. Sometimes things don't work out the way you wanted, but at least you tried. It does make you richer. Not in money, but as a person. Which is the most important in life? That's for each to decide.
A few days ago, we waved my dear friend Paige goodbye, as her Spanish adventures are over, having spend nearly 3 months in the mediterranean. We've spend Semana Santa and Feria together, 2 of the most important holidays after Christmas, and tons of other city and/or beachtrips. It was a time full of tapas, rioja and laughter. The happy memories will always stay with me and cannot wait for her return.
With her moving towards a new era in her life, so do we. Tomorrow we'll be leaving for a 6 day visit to my parents, to celebrate my grandmothers 86th birthday. As we planned, my sister and her boyfriend are also coming over from England, since we haven't seen eachother in over a year now, seemed like the perfect oportunity to have the whole family together.
After that, who knows. I know summer is starting. I've already spend numerous days in the sun, when work permits it. That usually means a time full of hot, sweaty days, chilling at the beach, drinking cocktails in Chiringuito's, weekends with friends. Just delightful.
I also know that my other dear friend Daphne, is coming to us for a week with her long-term boyfriend Roel, and baby Keane. I'm very much looking forward to that.
In life, I find a few things that are important to me. Apart from the obvious- my boyfriend, our families, dogs and our friends. I also know that spending time with either of them are just as important. You know, not taking granted for what you have, but appreciate it. Time comes and always goes, the memories won't.
If you don't put yourself out there, making life happen, than life happens to you. You'll meet people, but not taking an interest will never lead you to a new friendship, a potential workoportunity, and so on.
I know of people that never travel anywhere, don't even leave town, don't like to socialise, just don't like spending money. What good is money going to do, when you are 85, with nobody to share it with? Never enjoying life, not having great memories of stupid things you've done.
That's why I love travelling, meeting new people, having new experiences. Sometimes things don't work out the way you wanted, but at least you tried. It does make you richer. Not in money, but as a person. Which is the most important in life? That's for each to decide.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Night for Me
As today is a relatively normal day - apart from the fact that it's Miguel's birthday (!) - I wanted to give you an insight of what I do on such a day.
As the alarm goes at 08.00 am, I hit the shower and get ready to go to town, as I need to get some stuff for my folks (their be-lated momsday gift and early dadsday gift). Miguel drops me off at the postoffice as he goes on to the cityhall to get his unemployment check-up. I do my rounds, find out that; Oh yes, the shops don't open untill 10.00am and end up walking in circles doing nothing. Miguel calls me and ask to meet him at his mom's so we can get some breakfast. I do that, in the meantime meeting Miguel's uncle on the street and go to the house.
I have some coffee, Mig and his mum also have some toast with butter/Jamon and oil and while she is getting ready to go to meet his sister in Cádiz, we head out to town again and I finally get what I need. We also buy some lottery tickets - a weekly ritual that usually earns us back some 10 euro's. I've already won 2000 euro's last spring and another 70 euro's in the fall, plus a whole lot of 10 euro's - Yeay!
When we head back to home, I get ready to work on my translations and Miguel hits the studybooks. He's studying for prisonguard and wants to make the exam this year October.
At around 02.00pm, we get our lunch ready - a healthy lettuce, pepper and cucumber salad with some grilled chicken. Yums!
Back to our work and at 05.00pm we take a little siësta, which is quite normal here, but we only rarely do, unless we really are tired.
Feeling fit after an hours sleep, we continue working and at 07.00, Miguel gets ready for his class, which he goes to twice a week, given by a prisonguard to help others preparing for the big exam.
Which means, I have me-time! I clean the garden a little bit, organise the house and go to my laptop to write my blog.
Since it will take around 3 1/2 hours to see Miguel again, I will probably just relax, watch some tv, maybe call my mom. Miguel's birthday will be celebrated another day, probably with some friends and a BBQ this weekend. Ah...the shear bliss of it all....
As the alarm goes at 08.00 am, I hit the shower and get ready to go to town, as I need to get some stuff for my folks (their be-lated momsday gift and early dadsday gift). Miguel drops me off at the postoffice as he goes on to the cityhall to get his unemployment check-up. I do my rounds, find out that; Oh yes, the shops don't open untill 10.00am and end up walking in circles doing nothing. Miguel calls me and ask to meet him at his mom's so we can get some breakfast. I do that, in the meantime meeting Miguel's uncle on the street and go to the house.
I have some coffee, Mig and his mum also have some toast with butter/Jamon and oil and while she is getting ready to go to meet his sister in Cádiz, we head out to town again and I finally get what I need. We also buy some lottery tickets - a weekly ritual that usually earns us back some 10 euro's. I've already won 2000 euro's last spring and another 70 euro's in the fall, plus a whole lot of 10 euro's - Yeay!
When we head back to home, I get ready to work on my translations and Miguel hits the studybooks. He's studying for prisonguard and wants to make the exam this year October.
At around 02.00pm, we get our lunch ready - a healthy lettuce, pepper and cucumber salad with some grilled chicken. Yums!
Back to our work and at 05.00pm we take a little siësta, which is quite normal here, but we only rarely do, unless we really are tired.
Feeling fit after an hours sleep, we continue working and at 07.00, Miguel gets ready for his class, which he goes to twice a week, given by a prisonguard to help others preparing for the big exam.
Which means, I have me-time! I clean the garden a little bit, organise the house and go to my laptop to write my blog.
Since it will take around 3 1/2 hours to see Miguel again, I will probably just relax, watch some tv, maybe call my mom. Miguel's birthday will be celebrated another day, probably with some friends and a BBQ this weekend. Ah...the shear bliss of it all....
Feria, La-La-La!!
How awesome is Feria? Just a week full of holiday, sun, drinking, eating, dancing and you get to spend it with all of your friends.
The girls get to wear the prettiest dresses, the boys looking smart in their suits. I just love people-watching during Feria (EN: Fair; NL: Kermis) I stopped loving Feria in my country since I was 14 and at that time it was the 'cool' thing to just stand at the bumbercars, riding them once in a while. Turns out that never changes, neither here in Spain.
They split Feria up in two parts; one for the grown-ups, the other for the youth. The youth is mainly at the fairrides, and so is grandmother and their grandchildren. However the grown-up part isn't shy of having their fair share of grandma's and kids too. We all hang out in big plastic stands called "caseta's", standing shoulder to shoulder, and each with their own name or number. Usually colorfully designed with red and white stripes.
In Sevilla, each familia or group of amigo's have their caseta rented, so you are assured of a spot to hang out in. Their is a bar, loads of uncomfortable tables and chairs and a podium where the dancing and performing happens. The floor is mud or sand if your lucky which btw ruined the bottom of my dress -thank you very much-!
And really all you do is hang out, eat, drink, dance and converse. It's just a great excuse to go crazy, I guess.
I had the best time, we were so fortunate to stay at a friends house, that only lived a metro-ride away from the Feria, but since the WHOLE of Spain decided to go, ended up more in taxi's than the subway. Gosh, I never saw people getting so crazy, not even in NYC, so you can imagen. There was just no room to fit everybody in, but still we stopped at every stop and people yelling there was just no room for more travellers. Aahh the horror!
Feria is like Disney World (I even saw something that resembled Winnie the Pooh!) and you are in a magical place, just ignoring the real world for a few days. No wonder everyone wants to come! I just loved wearing my wonderful dress, that happened to be incredible heavy and the ruffles hurting my shins while walking, but it was worth it. You feel like you are contributing to the magic.
The magic also included that my American friend Paige -who came back for the event- and I got so happy with our Rebujito, a mix drink of Manzanilla (applewine) and Sprite, that we got seperated from the group. My boyfriend Miguel came to find me, got very angry about this, me not understanding the big deal. Things ofcourse worked out quickly, because we were drunk and your personality changes with it. Other things like our friend Jaime falling down the subway stairs, breaking his shoe and him not remembering it with, but being angry that his shoe fell apart for no reason.
Paige got kinda lost on the last day, running off with our friend Saber, and Miguel and I waiting for her, catching a cold. We found her again, being semi-annoyed with the semi-abduction and we all got to go home again. I think there was even some falling to the floor involved and misterious bruises showing up the day after.
Just the usual.
But that's what I love of having friends and doing stuff together. You get to experience so much; you laugh, you cry, you get over it. These are the memories you will never forget. And when you are 80, you won't ever regret these great times you had. The only regrets you will have is the things you never got to do.
The girls get to wear the prettiest dresses, the boys looking smart in their suits. I just love people-watching during Feria (EN: Fair; NL: Kermis) I stopped loving Feria in my country since I was 14 and at that time it was the 'cool' thing to just stand at the bumbercars, riding them once in a while. Turns out that never changes, neither here in Spain.
They split Feria up in two parts; one for the grown-ups, the other for the youth. The youth is mainly at the fairrides, and so is grandmother and their grandchildren. However the grown-up part isn't shy of having their fair share of grandma's and kids too. We all hang out in big plastic stands called "caseta's", standing shoulder to shoulder, and each with their own name or number. Usually colorfully designed with red and white stripes.
In Sevilla, each familia or group of amigo's have their caseta rented, so you are assured of a spot to hang out in. Their is a bar, loads of uncomfortable tables and chairs and a podium where the dancing and performing happens. The floor is mud or sand if your lucky which btw ruined the bottom of my dress -thank you very much-!
And really all you do is hang out, eat, drink, dance and converse. It's just a great excuse to go crazy, I guess.
I had the best time, we were so fortunate to stay at a friends house, that only lived a metro-ride away from the Feria, but since the WHOLE of Spain decided to go, ended up more in taxi's than the subway. Gosh, I never saw people getting so crazy, not even in NYC, so you can imagen. There was just no room to fit everybody in, but still we stopped at every stop and people yelling there was just no room for more travellers. Aahh the horror!
Feria is like Disney World (I even saw something that resembled Winnie the Pooh!) and you are in a magical place, just ignoring the real world for a few days. No wonder everyone wants to come! I just loved wearing my wonderful dress, that happened to be incredible heavy and the ruffles hurting my shins while walking, but it was worth it. You feel like you are contributing to the magic.
The magic also included that my American friend Paige -who came back for the event- and I got so happy with our Rebujito, a mix drink of Manzanilla (applewine) and Sprite, that we got seperated from the group. My boyfriend Miguel came to find me, got very angry about this, me not understanding the big deal. Things ofcourse worked out quickly, because we were drunk and your personality changes with it. Other things like our friend Jaime falling down the subway stairs, breaking his shoe and him not remembering it with, but being angry that his shoe fell apart for no reason.
Paige got kinda lost on the last day, running off with our friend Saber, and Miguel and I waiting for her, catching a cold. We found her again, being semi-annoyed with the semi-abduction and we all got to go home again. I think there was even some falling to the floor involved and misterious bruises showing up the day after.
Just the usual.
But that's what I love of having friends and doing stuff together. You get to experience so much; you laugh, you cry, you get over it. These are the memories you will never forget. And when you are 80, you won't ever regret these great times you had. The only regrets you will have is the things you never got to do.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Happy Lazyness
It's one of these perfect lazy Sundays. I don't feel like I have to do anything I don't feel like doing. I slept in until 11. I ran on the tredmill for 3 kms. I cleaned the house a little. Miguel was studying all morning and now feeling ready for a break and something to eat.
We knew that today was 'Romaria' in Rota. I'm still not sure what it is, but it's a left over from Semana Santa. Anyway, we decided to walk to 'Los Pinos' the area just in front of our cul-de-sac, where a forest full of pinetrees divide the road and the beach. There was where heaps of people were gathering to eat the tipical foods and drinks during festivals. We walked around a bit, but feeling left out and not in the mood for partying, we headed back home, bought ourselves 2 liters of beer (Cruzcampo, ofcourse) and some firestarters for the BBQ-for-two-party we wanted to make.
Realizing we didn't have enough charcoal, we hopped in our car and headed out for the gasstation to buy some more. Halfway down the road I opted the use the electric grill instead and we both agreed that would save us the hassle of lighting a BBQ while our hunger grew.
Back at home, all the usual preparing went on. Defrosting the meat, the bread. Heating up the grill that we had put outside on the gardentable with an extension cable. Making a salad. Ow, music, we need music. While figuring out how to use my Ipod on the surround system, my meat got a little burned. You know, the usual stuff.
Once organized, we sat in the sun, eating our grilled meat sandwiches and looking at the dogs happily enjoying the fact of spending time with us at this side of the garden. We recently fenced off some part of the garden as the dog make huge holes and pee everywhere and we wanted to be able to have a BBQ or a lie in the sun without smelling a whiff or dogpee.
As Miguel is studying hard to become a prison guard and he wants to get on the same level as the rest of the (advanced) class, he soon decided it was time for him to go back to studying and I stayed behind in the garden reading an english novel that my friend left behind, acompanied by Gacho, our male dobermann.
After my tanning spot hit the shades, I decided it was time to go inside and leave the dishes for what they are and continue to read my book inside on our new and ever so comfortable sofa.
So now it is almost 9 and time to think about dinner. Miguel has already opted for another BBQ tonight, and we have still one liter of beer left. As I'm writing this blog, drinking a coffee, he comes to see me and ask if I want to go for a walk to the beach. We do this very often and it is very relaxing. When you come home from a small walk you just feel so happy and slightly tired and cosy and all you want is cuddle up on the sofa watching an episode of Gossip Girls or House.
And this is exactly what we'll be doing tonight!
We knew that today was 'Romaria' in Rota. I'm still not sure what it is, but it's a left over from Semana Santa. Anyway, we decided to walk to 'Los Pinos' the area just in front of our cul-de-sac, where a forest full of pinetrees divide the road and the beach. There was where heaps of people were gathering to eat the tipical foods and drinks during festivals. We walked around a bit, but feeling left out and not in the mood for partying, we headed back home, bought ourselves 2 liters of beer (Cruzcampo, ofcourse) and some firestarters for the BBQ-for-two-party we wanted to make.
Realizing we didn't have enough charcoal, we hopped in our car and headed out for the gasstation to buy some more. Halfway down the road I opted the use the electric grill instead and we both agreed that would save us the hassle of lighting a BBQ while our hunger grew.
Back at home, all the usual preparing went on. Defrosting the meat, the bread. Heating up the grill that we had put outside on the gardentable with an extension cable. Making a salad. Ow, music, we need music. While figuring out how to use my Ipod on the surround system, my meat got a little burned. You know, the usual stuff.
Once organized, we sat in the sun, eating our grilled meat sandwiches and looking at the dogs happily enjoying the fact of spending time with us at this side of the garden. We recently fenced off some part of the garden as the dog make huge holes and pee everywhere and we wanted to be able to have a BBQ or a lie in the sun without smelling a whiff or dogpee.
As Miguel is studying hard to become a prison guard and he wants to get on the same level as the rest of the (advanced) class, he soon decided it was time for him to go back to studying and I stayed behind in the garden reading an english novel that my friend left behind, acompanied by Gacho, our male dobermann.
After my tanning spot hit the shades, I decided it was time to go inside and leave the dishes for what they are and continue to read my book inside on our new and ever so comfortable sofa.
So now it is almost 9 and time to think about dinner. Miguel has already opted for another BBQ tonight, and we have still one liter of beer left. As I'm writing this blog, drinking a coffee, he comes to see me and ask if I want to go for a walk to the beach. We do this very often and it is very relaxing. When you come home from a small walk you just feel so happy and slightly tired and cosy and all you want is cuddle up on the sofa watching an episode of Gossip Girls or House.
And this is exactly what we'll be doing tonight!
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Holy Week, the Whole Week
Semana Santa in Spain.
It's crazy. I mean, they have loads of big celebrations, but this is a really big one. From the beginning of the week there are these huge processions with holy statues which are carried around the city. It's hard to explain, you'd have to see it for yourself to see the scale of it.
The biggest day is the Thursday before Easter, which in Holland it's called 'White Thursday'. My friend Antonio walks in the most important procession starting from 0.00 until 14.00 the next day!
All in all, it was great fun, we hopped from bar to bar and house to house to follow some. My friend Paula invited us over to her flat and we had a great view plus she made the best food ever! I think we ate all before 11 and she was still expecting people to come over. Shame on us...
We spend all night awake. Barely. At 2 o'clock in the night we went to a friends office and were offered some snacks. At 6 we went to Nacho's house to watch the big one, the brotherhood of the Macarena (were my friend Antonio was walking in) and at 8 she finally passed as we received some coffee and breakfast. At 11 o'clock I finally layed in my bed and I never thought I could be sooo tired. At 5 the next day we all went for 'breakfast' with sleepy faces.
I'm glad I did it, I'm glad I survived it too. I don't think I will be doing this every year. Watch some, perfect. But not staying up all night. I need sleep. A lot. I am not ashamed of it. It's just who I am. I like sleeping. And I can sleep anywhere at any time.
So that's the short story about Semana Santa. Hasta la proxima!
A Girly Day
So after a week of intense partying, as it was Semana Santa in Sevilla, I was looking forward to a quiet weekend and as dessert... a Girly Day with Paige in Sevilla.
As I realised I just have been to Sevilla 5 times within 3 weeks, I was still happy (and needless to say somewhat exhausted) to go again. My friend was leaving for Italy the next day and we needed to get her dress fitted before Feria (surprise, surprise, another party in Spain!). After that, I'd go back home and she would spend the night there to catch an early flight.
The night before we left, my friend had dyed some of her clothes pink and was in a slight state of panic as she had to get her stuff packed - and dry. Nevertheless, the morning we were heading out to Sevilla, she was ready and we showed up early to find the bus with the engine on public display. Meaning...we wouldn't be leaving anytime soon.
Unfazed, we decided to get some coffee and wait for whatever would happen. A point of view I seemed to have come to adopt while living in Spain. 'See what happens'.
An American older man addresses us, saying we would have plenty of time to take a coffee, as it was obvious the bus wouldn't leave anytime soon. Turns out, he is my neighbour. He lives only 5 houses away. It also turned out he's extremely talkative to a point were both Paige and me wanted some quiet time as she turned to her laptop and me to my book. He didn't seem to notice.
After arriving in Sevilla and saying goodbye to Sam the Fireman (no joke) we got on to grab a cab and to our appointment with our diseñadora (designer).
Paiges dress is simply stunning. It is not a traditional flamenco dress, but it has most of it's features. However, you can both wear it for Feria as for weddings or other special occasions. She fell in love with in the first time she saw it and it's absolutely perfect on her.
When I talked to my mum today she mentioned that my dad was concerned about the dress I had bought. "Does it really has all the ruffles and colours and what not more?" Yes it really has. And it's gorgeous. I have designed it myself, and with some suggestions of the designer, made it to a traditional yet modern flamenco dress. White, black and yellow are the colours. I just love it. It's heavy, but it fits like a glove! I'll have to send a picture of the dress to my dad, and see what he says then.
By the time we were done, and absolutely starving, we went for a fantastic lunch and quite a bit healthier than the previous meals we devoured during Semana Santa.
Simply a lovely day, including a frantic hair-flower search and an impossible to localize El Corte Inglés. It's official...I'm the worlds worst city tourguide!
Soon it was time to say goodbye and got a cab to her hotel. I had until then not yet decided if it was better to stay for another 20 minutes or just continue with the cab. I ended up deciding the last. The cab driver, however, wasn´t pleased as there is some stop and pay thing happening where it is appearantly custom to inform him about a drop-off and go-further drive. How the heck should I know these things? I don't get cabs everyday. He starts complaining about that, explaining me he'd have to charge me the starting fee, while stopping the car and turn the meter on and off again. I make a joke about the economic crisis, which he didn't take that well. Hey I really don't care about paying an Euro more! But...we end up chatting quite pleasantly about Semana Santa, La Feria, Americans, and the fact that he spend his summers in Rota, where I live. That seemed to create a bond and he offers a truce by giving me a discount. (I REALLY don't fret about paying the goddam extra euro). We end up at the station as I need to take the bus back home. Another problem...He cannot change from 50 euro. God...at this point I just want to be home, because I'm just really tired and he asks me if I could be so kind to change it somewhere. I do, but not before making clear that I AM taking my Feria dress with me. Absolutely NO WAY I'm leaving that behind. I get the note changed, everybody is happy and I wait for the bus clutching my beloved dress.
When I get off the bus, Miguel hasn't arrived and a man comes up to me asking for a sigaret. I don't smoke (anymore). He realises quickly I'm not from here and tries to confuse me by asking fast questions and repeating them (maybe a demented ex-cop). Lucky for me, I answer all of them just as fast and in perfect good Spanish and am not fazed by his attitude. He gives up and I wish him good night.
Why do (older) men in Spain treat women this way? That's how I feel when I am alone. Like I am a target or something. Maybe I look too sweet and easy to take advantage off. Or maybe I was just too tired.
I secretly curse Miguel for not showing up earlier, but it's not his fault and when he arrives we go to his mum for diner. Two glasses of wine later, I'm happy as Larry and dog-tired. I thank her from the bottom of my heart for the beautifull dress she sponsored and it almost makes her cry. I just love her.
The day is over and I can finally, finally spend some quality time alone with my guy. We played the X-box untill 2 in the morning.
As I realised I just have been to Sevilla 5 times within 3 weeks, I was still happy (and needless to say somewhat exhausted) to go again. My friend was leaving for Italy the next day and we needed to get her dress fitted before Feria (surprise, surprise, another party in Spain!). After that, I'd go back home and she would spend the night there to catch an early flight.
The night before we left, my friend had dyed some of her clothes pink and was in a slight state of panic as she had to get her stuff packed - and dry. Nevertheless, the morning we were heading out to Sevilla, she was ready and we showed up early to find the bus with the engine on public display. Meaning...we wouldn't be leaving anytime soon.
Unfazed, we decided to get some coffee and wait for whatever would happen. A point of view I seemed to have come to adopt while living in Spain. 'See what happens'.
An American older man addresses us, saying we would have plenty of time to take a coffee, as it was obvious the bus wouldn't leave anytime soon. Turns out, he is my neighbour. He lives only 5 houses away. It also turned out he's extremely talkative to a point were both Paige and me wanted some quiet time as she turned to her laptop and me to my book. He didn't seem to notice.
After arriving in Sevilla and saying goodbye to Sam the Fireman (no joke) we got on to grab a cab and to our appointment with our diseñadora (designer).
Paiges dress is simply stunning. It is not a traditional flamenco dress, but it has most of it's features. However, you can both wear it for Feria as for weddings or other special occasions. She fell in love with in the first time she saw it and it's absolutely perfect on her.
When I talked to my mum today she mentioned that my dad was concerned about the dress I had bought. "Does it really has all the ruffles and colours and what not more?" Yes it really has. And it's gorgeous. I have designed it myself, and with some suggestions of the designer, made it to a traditional yet modern flamenco dress. White, black and yellow are the colours. I just love it. It's heavy, but it fits like a glove! I'll have to send a picture of the dress to my dad, and see what he says then.
By the time we were done, and absolutely starving, we went for a fantastic lunch and quite a bit healthier than the previous meals we devoured during Semana Santa.
Simply a lovely day, including a frantic hair-flower search and an impossible to localize El Corte Inglés. It's official...I'm the worlds worst city tourguide!
Soon it was time to say goodbye and got a cab to her hotel. I had until then not yet decided if it was better to stay for another 20 minutes or just continue with the cab. I ended up deciding the last. The cab driver, however, wasn´t pleased as there is some stop and pay thing happening where it is appearantly custom to inform him about a drop-off and go-further drive. How the heck should I know these things? I don't get cabs everyday. He starts complaining about that, explaining me he'd have to charge me the starting fee, while stopping the car and turn the meter on and off again. I make a joke about the economic crisis, which he didn't take that well. Hey I really don't care about paying an Euro more! But...we end up chatting quite pleasantly about Semana Santa, La Feria, Americans, and the fact that he spend his summers in Rota, where I live. That seemed to create a bond and he offers a truce by giving me a discount. (I REALLY don't fret about paying the goddam extra euro). We end up at the station as I need to take the bus back home. Another problem...He cannot change from 50 euro. God...at this point I just want to be home, because I'm just really tired and he asks me if I could be so kind to change it somewhere. I do, but not before making clear that I AM taking my Feria dress with me. Absolutely NO WAY I'm leaving that behind. I get the note changed, everybody is happy and I wait for the bus clutching my beloved dress.
When I get off the bus, Miguel hasn't arrived and a man comes up to me asking for a sigaret. I don't smoke (anymore). He realises quickly I'm not from here and tries to confuse me by asking fast questions and repeating them (maybe a demented ex-cop). Lucky for me, I answer all of them just as fast and in perfect good Spanish and am not fazed by his attitude. He gives up and I wish him good night.
Why do (older) men in Spain treat women this way? That's how I feel when I am alone. Like I am a target or something. Maybe I look too sweet and easy to take advantage off. Or maybe I was just too tired.
I secretly curse Miguel for not showing up earlier, but it's not his fault and when he arrives we go to his mum for diner. Two glasses of wine later, I'm happy as Larry and dog-tired. I thank her from the bottom of my heart for the beautifull dress she sponsored and it almost makes her cry. I just love her.
The day is over and I can finally, finally spend some quality time alone with my guy. We played the X-box untill 2 in the morning.
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