Houston, we have contact.

So I arrived today without much trouble. Passing through customs was a joke. I waited about 5 minutes in line, if that, they barely glanced at my passport before they stamped it, and they didn't ask for my declaration sheet. It made me feel like I went through all that trouble for my visa for nothing. I guess it will be worth it once I get my NIE (National Identity Card) tomorrow.

My arrival coincided, as I'm sure most of you know, with the return of the victorious Spanish football (soccer) team from the World Cup 2010. The only reason I am not outside enjoy the parade (aside from the fact that I didn't sleep last night and so I am dead tired), is that I have no idea where it is or how to get there, and I don't relish getting horribly lost tonight. Maybe another time, preferably if I am slightly intoxicated. ;)

After I arrived, I went straight to the apartment, where Siham was graciously waiting for me to arrive and let me in. I showered, José-presi came by, and we had some lunch around 2:30. Siham and I eventually arrived at work at 4 pm. Only Lupo and Carlos were there, as Sebas is returning from AI Transition Party in Rotterdam tonight, Camby is returning from a conference in Zaragoza tomorrow, Malisa is in France and is returning Wednesday, and Ana is still in Mexico and is potentially arriving this Saturday (according to the ever-busy rumour mill). I left work a tad early (read: I left at 8 pm) so I could go to the grocery store (mercado) to pick up some food for tomorrow. It was so cheap! If I had the gumption I'd do a haul video (VVFS & infoMania what!) but I won't.

muesli cereal: €1.75
pasta: €0.69
vegetable mix: €1.15
tomato sauce: €0.43
dried chickpeas: €1.25
yogurt: €0.70
loaf of bread: €0.99
2kg nectarines: €2.01
1 paraguaya (flat peach): €0.30
1kg granny smith apples: €1.89
0.5kg carrots: €0.49

Total: €11.85, which at current rates is about $15 CAD. So cheap! I could barely believe it! Maybe living off of this measly salary isn't going to be so bad after all. Mind you, finding the food I want might be another challenge.

Lastly, my new favourite Spanglish word: expectatives. From the Spanish expectativa meaning expectation. We did expectative-setting during one of our days of planning and it took me a bit to figure it out. But I like it! I'm sure I'll encounter more wonderful word creations as the year goes on.

So, I am now going to head out to a "welcome" party of sorts for me... which Lupo casually said I can come to if I want to, lol. I´m at the apartment with Siham's cousin, so she might come with me. It's at... Monteditos or something. Maybe I'll get lost tonight after all.

-Pan

P.S. Who did I see at the airport? Cassie and her family, on their way for their vacation in Italy. So random, yet so awesome!