Back in business

Hi. So you can't just stick a different plug on the end of a North American wire, despite the converter doing the work that is required for the different systems. After dropping off the car (during which this so-called brave person got all disgusted and rattle-nerved) I forced myself to stop at the MediaMarkt (a rather American seeming place), where a guy at the computer shop told me to go, and bought another cord. Seems to have solved the problem.

I have decided that since I am a woman, that means I am different from a man. My Dad also recently alerted me to the fact that I may also be a "sensitive" person. Indeed, that must also be so. Ancient Chinese medicine says women handle harsh environments less well than men. I wished I had asked my German guy friend to come with me to drop off the car, as I am quite confused by what is an is not legal or at least acceptable here. I am not sure if Sevilla counts as a harsh environment, but perhaps driving in cities does. My North American friends will not agree with me but I think a man should do some things like that. Maybe Spanish men will suit me after all.
Anyways, after dropping the car off, I passed the bikes at the train station and found that I still have some time left on my year pass, so I took a bike, and rode into the middle of the city. The "harsh" atmosphere receeded completely, as I rode past Plaza Salvador, chock full of people at 2:30 on a Saturday afternoon, having a copita ("cup"... a glass of wine). I sat for a while in the shade and stared down the Avenida de la Constitucion, past the cake like building and the cathedral in the distance. I took some Spanish tourists' pictures for them, and then I crossed the river to Triana again. I was starving and since I had not much I could quickly cook up before I fell into bed for siesta, I stopped in the plaza at the foot of the Triana bridge, and ordered espinacas con garbanzos and a glass of wine, and stood lounging in the sun at a tiny tall table. I believe my acquired Spanish "stare at me boys, I couldn't care less" look was in good shape, as I stood there alone, looking out at all the crowds of people eating and drinking together, filling every available sidewalk space, at tables in the sun. I am not sure if my look is equal to that of the locals, but it is coming along. There were a group of chicos standing between double parked cars with beer glasses set on the roof of someone's car, having their Saturday afternoon get together there wherever there was a bit of room.

I was warm enough in a sweater and boots, and then sitting in the sun like that it was even nicer and toastier. I just got up now from a small siesta and am going to go catch up with Sachiko.