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We have officially left the bubble of all that is familiar. While in Barcelona I felt like we might just be on a summer vacation. A week long trip to Europe, like other sane families take, rather than the kick off of our crazy year. The city was crowded with tourists, everything was expensive and we were handed menus in English. It was a good ease in. Fast forward a few days and a few hundred km and all has changed.
There are no road signs in English. Which really doesn't matter much to me. As my family and good friends know, I can't read a road map to save my life and my internal compass was not implanted at birth. Additionally, the GPS in the car didn't recognize our destination. Directing Anthony to Alicante sounded a lot like this, "See the two bumps in the coast? We need to get just past the first bump." Then Hope (the GPS lady) would chime in, "If possible, make a u-turn".
When we finally found our accomodations - a dorm on a college campus - (I will lovingly skip the concrete pole kissing the car door story) we went to dinner. No English menus anymore. We rely on AG's middle school Spanish and we guess and point. So far this has been successful as I was brought a bacon and cheese sandwich, can't go wrong with bacon and cheese!
Doing very basic life tasks like laundry and grocery shopping has become interesting or humbling depending on the mood. I washed a load of clothes 3x trying to find out how to use the fancy wash and dry with one setting. When you grocery shop you weigh your own fruits and veggies and print out a sticker. Or if you don't weigh your own fruit, say apples, the cashier has to walk back to produce and do it for you while the whole line waits. Luckily for us everyone we have met is very patient with our efforts.
Last week there was a decent amount of bickering (some by the children). This week we seem to have settled in to the journey and are able to laugh more at ourselves, which is always a good thing, at home or on 330 day trips around the world. My toast for the trip. My hope for our journey. My personal goal comes from Walt Whitman Song of the Open Road.
"Listen! I will be honest with you;
I do not offer the old smooth prizes, but offer the rough new prizes;
These are the days that must happen to you"
So I raise my glass (of Sangria) to rough new prizes. Be they washing and drying my laundry or guiding us successfully to Seville tomorrow or surviving the drive with my accident prone driver husband (you didn't think I would really leave it alone did you?!).
Amy
- comments
Aunt Kathy E How exciting! Last night in my sleep, I thought or had dreams about your family all night long--just trying to imagine what and how you doing. This blog is wonderful and might help me sleep! Love, Aunt Kathy
Lynn Hoops Thanks for your blog, I think a lot of us are living through you guys on this experience. It's great to hear about the good things and the small bumps, its what life is about.
Cheryl Casey said "they should have brought me! I know spanish food words!". She also has an unbelievable internal compass.. She didnt get it from me! Glad yoy all are having fun and LOVE reading your adventures each day!
Sandy Hammack Mark uses Google Goggles app for translation. Maybe this will help you.
Shannon Redden So loving reading about your journey each day! Prayers for safe travels and less bickering :) Love from the Illinois Reddens!