Life: Idiotropic

Tiara and I took a couple hours this morning to run errands and have some time together. Went to the post office - 11 Euros to send a small package to Germany. But, no lines at the post office, so I won't complain. Tried to do our grocery errands first, after all, milk and eggs here aren't refrigerated, so leaving them in the car for a while isn't a big deal. But there's no parking anywhere. Gone are the German days when you can find a parking spot downtown at the first pass by. This is not a culture where people walk or bike as frequently. There are just so many cars everywhere lining every street, sometimes both sides, on the sidewalks, double parked, stopped waiting, stuck. So, I gave up on eggs and took Tiara to a coffee shop near El Moli. I'd been there twice before - they have a nice apple nut pastry that I like. And lots of empanadas and filled croissants. But today it had transformed itself into this amazing patisserie! (Apparently, the bakeries here only do the really fancy desserts on the weekends and only do bread items in the week.) The usually empty case was absolutely packed with beautiful colorful creamy desserts in all shapes and sizes. Oh, I wish I could've tried a bite of each! Yum. We got one torta de manzana and a bocadillo con crema, two cafe con leches and sat. The tables weren't full, but a steady stream of people came in to pick up orders, large platters of small bites, pastries, and breads. Large plates of filled things, bocadillos and empanadas and things I couldn't identify, but looked good. Like Thursday's cafe, there is no menu. And I saw people eating things that I didn't see in the case. Somehow there must be things that all the bakeries can do and you just have to know and to ask. It is soccer season. Saturdays must be very busy days for post game parties.

After our treat we reattempted parking which had gotten worse, so we parked at Consum and walked. Went into little clothing and accessory shops, saw some cute things, but discovered that all these shops shared a common odor - unidentifiable, but not good. Walked past a church where huge crowds of mostly old men filled the street corners and yard in front of it. Saw a flowered car. Thought it was a wedding... no, a funeral. May be that explains the number of men. Do they segregate themselves at funerals too?

Tonight we went to a party for US personnel and got hailed (as in Hail and Farewell, no the white ice pellets). Had probably the most delicious brisket I've ever tasted. Must get that recipe soon. And saw my housekeeper - she does parties!!! That is fabulous. Will make Thanksgiving MUCH easier. :)