Hello All:
Ah, the joys of being free from the shackles that the man imposes...I have just gotten back from some seriously good lunch with the familia at La Cuadra de Anton. Cocido de Garbanzos, Dorado con Pisto and some very tasty Arroz con Leche for postre (dessert). All washed down with some awsome Vino de la Casa. Rocking!!! I have found my place in life once again. I would love to move to Spain for a couple of years to fully experience the lifestyle here. Most things are great but some of them are amusing and can become right down irritating after awhile. Even for me.
Here are some examples. Anything that involves a basic service becomes an adventure in trying to get it achieved. I am trying to buy a phone charger for my dad's phone which was bought here but it (of course) is a problem. I went to two stores and neither one can accomodate my wish. One store does not carry it and the other wants 30 Euros, it takes 2 to 3 days and we would not be able to pick it up until next week. Never mind that we leave on Thursday for Madrid so I would have the charger for two days of use. I just bought a phone from Orange (like saying Verizon) and it cost me 29 Euros which 18 of those go to the actual minutes, so it really cost me 11 Euros.
Services in Spain are really hit and miss. The hotel where we are staying , Hotel Alcomar, is great. They treat us very well, we are right across the beach, we can get anything we need, and the staff is very friendly. In contrast, the hotel in Madrid was nice but the restaurant staff was dry and they act like they are doing you a favor. Any request is met with a a bit of defiance as if you are dealing with a surly servant. Spaniards (like most Europeans) tend to be a bit cold and distant until you have a chance to get to know them. Once they know you and like you they are willing to give you the shirt off their back. I think the absolute worst has to be the staff at any of the airport information/food/stores in Madrid, Barajas. Especially Iberia, the official Spanish airline. You see it once and again when travellers try to ask for information. They are often met with a cold, abrupt and rather nasty bark from whichever peasant happens to be "de turno" (on the job). This is the one big drawback to living in Spain. You have to deal with this lack of customer service everywhere. Maybe the answer is to send our current Big Jefe here and he can set them straight???
On a brighter note, everything else is great. Walking everywhere is a joy (great exercise). You of course have to dodge cars and motorcycles, as well as some dog poop. Temperature is a cool 17-25 Centigrade. Also of interest are the older people that are really almost hobbit like in their dimensions. They rather remind me of Quiniesque-like folk, with his evil attitude and lack of cheer. Luckily they are old and feeble, so you can just push them aside and ignore them like we do Q.
In closing the trip has been fun and full of neat events. I wish time at work would go by as fast...;)
I'll keep posting more stuff with the hope that it is entertaining and interesting.
Hasta luego,
Don Juan de Gijon.
1 comment:
Your Regalness,
I am glad that you are enjoying your sojourne amongst your people. It is important for a potentate to mingle amongst the simple folk now and again. I saw that Anna Nova had a short section detailing your families return. Also the european bourses were down slightly on fears that you had returned to reclaim your birthright. They were uncertain what consequences the return to an Absolute Monarchy in Spain would have on the economy. Those fears were put aside upon your re-assurance that you were only paying a cordial visit. Please don't be so hard on your subjects, however. Not every society can provide the type of grand cuisene and service of Aquas Frescas. I would also like an update on the Hamilton/Alonso situation and how it is being viewed amongst the people of Espana. Please continue to enjoy your Holiday as only a European Man of Leisure can!
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