Glasses!

Thursday morning I felt like short-order cook at home, between making breakfast and packing up lunch for the boys.  Morning I'm sure for many parents like me is a short burst of pandemonium followed by calm.  It is great once they are out the door. 

After working a bit I ran a couple of errands.  I had to go to Vodafone to figure out what was going on with Andreas's mobile phone since he blew through all the data.  We had paid €20 per month per line with 7GB of data for each of us and within 2 weeks Andreas had used it all.  There is a way to add money to the phone by using an app, but I couldn't figure out how to move that money from my balance to actual data, and of course everything on the app is in Spanish, and every text from Vodafone is in Spanish.  After some struggling it turns out I can add only in increments of €20, and then a new month starts, even if the last month hasn't ended.  To get a better deal I can sign up for monthly non-prepaid service, but for that I need a local bank account, and to keep our current numbers we have to have had them for 3 months.  Why is everything so complicated?

From there I walked nearby to Mercado Barceló.  I had heard there was a good butcher there where I might be able to get some good sausages, but it turns out there are MANY places there to get good sausages and vegetables.  The place I gravitated too was perfect, exactly what I am looking for!  A small butcher that makes its own sausages in the back with an old guy up front grinding meat to order.  I bought a few different sausages from them, they look near Paisano level and I am excited to try it out.  I also found a vegetable guy that has dill!  Wow.  This is what I have been looking for, and it is just a 15 minute walk from the house.

On the way home I made a few stops.  I stopped by a small olive oil store that only sells olive oil and I bought some olive oil.  Next I stoped by a small spice store that only sells spices and I bought a few things to stock up my pantry.  Thankfully the guy there spoke English because I really needed some help with the words.  I needed some coriander and cumin and paprika and red pepper flakes and all sorts of things that I took for granted being in a pantry.  He sold me 30g of each, the minimum he could sell for each, so I took that because I had no visual idea what that meant.  I mean I guess I shouldn't ask for a kilo of Herbes de Provence, right?  He packed up each spice in its own little paper bag and wrote the name of the spice on each bag.  Is this normal?  I feel like Wonka's Chocolate Factory must be just around the corner.  Everything is just too perfect.

Next I stopped at stopped at my corner market, Mercado San Antón, which is really a giant food hall but because it is a market and it is on my corner I'm going to call it my corner market.  I needed some eggs and a very quick bite, and I have a go-to place already for quick bites.  I find this small treat of herring with avocado and a small glass of cider to hit the spot.  €1 for the cider, €1 for the tapas.  Life is really good here..

Later in the afternoon went to El Corte Ingles, the store I find myself going to daily, and discovered they have a whole hardware and electronics section, a little Radio Shack hidden on the top floor.  I'm really tired of using electronic adaptors, and the three of us are fighting of the one adaptor that can be used by weird plugs.  I bought a couple of electronic cords with Spanish plugs, and more hangers!  Finally my closet is starting to look organized.  A vast improvement from where we started out, and I even have hangers to spare!  

On Friday Andreas started telling me he was having trouble seeing the board at school.  He even fessed up that when playing tennis at night he can't really see the ball until it is right in front of him.  I did some research online and after Andreas got home from school we walked over to Optica Toscana (Calle de Hortaleza, 70).  It looked a little swank but Antonio took very good care of us and tested Andreas's eyes.  Yes, he needs glasses.  We spent time picking out frames and they said they would be ready tomorrow.  Muy rapido!

Markus wanted to go see some horror movie "IT" with his friend Pedro which, according to the theater's website, isn't recommeneded for kids under 16, but I called the theater and they said it isn't a restriction, just a recommendation.  So the boys met at the theater nearby and had their wits shaken up.  Hopefully Pedro's parents don't take me to task for my son introducing them to such influeces.  I need to reach out to them, maybe have them over.  Andreas meanwhile went to his party at Teatro Barceló where aparently they have parties for teens early in the evening and then for adults later on.  He had a great time and said he would go back in the future.

Saturday Markus had an early soccer game at Alcobendas so we were out the door at 08.55am.  We had to use a new Respiro garage becasue the 4 cars at our normal place on Calle de Farmacia were taken, but the other garage was also just a 10 minute walk away; they seem to have Respiro garages everywhere.  The American in me wanted to nurse a giant coffee while watching the soccer game so we stopped at Starbucks en route.  Forgot my hat so I had to find some shade in the bleachers for the game.  Markus's team, Alcobendas Sport, played a triangular against two other teams.  Each team played one half with each of the other teams, so that all three teams play a full game, spilt between different opponents.  Markus played in the first game (half) and scored a goal; they won 2-0.  He didn't play in the 2nd game, and they won 3-1.  His team seems to be doing well.  They have played 4 friendlies and have won all four.  

Andreas texted me throughout the morning to see if glasses were ready and as soon as we dropped off the car at the garage  I got the text from the optician, so Andreas met me downstairs and walked over there to pick up the glasses.  They look great.  He wants to play tennis with contacts so they ordered some trial contacts which will be ready next week. 

.We just chilled out at home on Saturday.  There has been a lot of rushing around.  Sunday morning Ana, who had been in Montreal working on a shoot for Cirque de Soleil, was back in town and called to make plans.  Markus and I met up with her, Murat and Mateo at Parque de El Retiro.  It was a warm morning and the park was FULL of people strolling around an enjoying the beautiful day.  Just a glorious day to be outside.  Really the weather here has been amazing.  Maybe two drops of rain since we arrived, warm during the day but chilly overnight and the mornings.  Madrid is dry dry dry.  I can leave a cut apple on the kitchen counter overnight and it looks no worse for the wear in the morning despite some browning.  I definitely do not miss the humidity and fruit flies of New York.  

From the park we walked to a nearby place called Sanchis (Av. de Menéndez Pelayo, 13) which was full of people and had a very old school feel.  We had some claras, and some boquerones, and some chips.  Really great, casual, lively atmosphere.  i will definitely be going back.

The five of us walked home from there, and along the way we saw some beautiful buildings.  I'm kind of fantasizing about finding a new apartment at some point, one with a terrace where maybe I can recreate my barbecue scene from Brooklyn.  I've been looking online at apartments at Idealista, although nothing catches my eye right now.  I know I am paying too much for my current place, but I needed to get settled in something nice and safe, and I will keep my eyes open for other places.  Most of what we saw walking home was beautiful but the streets were too busy.  I like being on a side street even if that street is noisy with people and garbage men and delivery truckes, but I don't want to live on a superhighway. 

Enroute we stopped at Bakery Harina (Plaza de la Independencia, 10) to pick up some bread and pastries, and I made lunch for the six of us, our first meal at home with friends.  Super casual but it turned out great, and we have exactly six chairs so it worked out perfectly.  I made Quinoa and Vegetable Stew and it was really delicious.  After we ate too many pastries and drank some coffee, Ana and Murat took the three boys to play tennis while I put my feet up at home and cleaned up a bit.  I basically said if you take the boys I will clean up!  I was desperate for some peace and quiet!

Tomorrow is a big day!  I have my enpadronado meeting in the morning and my first Spanish class in the afternoon!