If there is one thing I learned from traveling Europe with my mom, it’s that travel is not easy. Sure, it’s fun and rewarding, but definitely not easy. Something that my mom said to me before I came to Madrid, and I think it’s pretty brilliant, is that not every day in Madrid is going to be good. Just because you’re traveling doesn’t just mean the ups and downs of everyday life stop.
Instead of trying to get everything perfect, I’m going to keep tracking of my “small victories.” Yesterday I finally got on a plane to Spain after another snow delay, and I arrived in Madrid at noon on Friday. My luggage got a little mixed up, but I filed a claim with an agent, entirely in Spanish! That was a small victory for me. Another small victory was actually finding our program director in the sea of people waiting in arrivals.
I was put in a taxi by myself and sent to the apartment with no way to get in. Small victory: I asked a man, who happened to be the landlord, in Spanish, how to get in, and he took me to her door and even carried my luggage. I was greeted by my host mom, Gloria, who is possibly the sweetest woman
Menéndez Pelayo metro stop near my house
I’ve ever met, and even though I had been told multiple times that the Spaniards kiss each other on the cheeks, I still embarrassed myself by forgetting. Shortly after, I met Daniela, her fourteen year old, adorably boisterous daughter.
Our lunch, which is typically the largest meal in Spain, consisted of “lentejas con zanahorias” (lentil stew with carrots) and “ensalada con aceitunas y tomates” (salad with olives and tomatoes). Right after lunch, I had to leave to meet up with the rest of my group somewhere in Madrid, and without the Internet, I was able to make it to the nearest metro stop “Menéndez Pelayo,” and I took the number 1 line to the “Iglesia” stop and walked. It was a small victory, scratch that huge victory, that I was able to find my way with minimal directions.
Ramiro, our program director, went over a few details of the next few weeks and then a salesperson came to set us up with international cell phones. Most people had chosen to unlock their American smartphones and get data, but I chose a cheap flip phone. I think this is actually going to be a good thing, because it’s going to force me to interact with locals by asking directions when I’m lost instead of pulling them up on my cell phone. That’s going to lead to tons of small victories in every successful interaction. Plus, it’s only going to cost me about 40 euros.
Jamón serrano being sold at El Museo de Jamón
Dinner was served at 9:30pm, which felt so strange, but I think I could get used to it quite easily. Gloria cooked us “pisto con un huevo frito” (vegetable stew with a fried egg on top) and “ensalada de calabacín” (zucchini salad). There was also “rebanadas de jamón serrano” (slices of Serrano jam), which was probably the best thing I’ve ever eaten. It was salty and kind of sour, but in a good way, and just melt-in-your-mouth texture. Ramiro tells us that each leg of the ham is dried for at least a year or two. Stuffed, I dropped into bed, and tried to remedy my jetlag.
I have to say my first day was pretty great. Not all of them will be, but this one was.
View yesterday’s post here.
I absolutely loved reading your day one post from Spain. I look forward to hearing about your further adventures! Enjoy!