The bus ride to work

As many of you know I'm working for a communication PR firm as a translator/everything else that needs to be done assistant. It is a small company owned by a young couple who are great to work with. We are a small group but have a great time. Anyway, that is not the purpose of this post, I will talk more about my job later. The reason for this post is that for some time now I have been wanting to write about my experience on my way to work, which happens to be on a bus. I could drive to work but Alicante city has no parking and the available parking is very expensive. The public transportation here in Spain works great and everyone uses it. The bus stop is a few steps from my house and it drops me off literally on the front door to my work.

Ok, having had explained all that I will get to what I really want to talk about which is the actual bus ride. I must say there are a lot of different types of people out there and when you have to share a limited space with them and have time to just sit there observing, you see and hear a lot of things.

In the morning there are certain people who are there the same time as I'm so you kind of get to know everyone. There is one girl in particular who is just plain ODD (Misty if you are reading this you know what I'm talking about) anyway, she doesn't like to stand in the actual bus stop she kind of peaks her face through a little crack behind the frame of the bus stop and just stares at all of us...we can't figure it out, then there is the woman who dresses as if she was going to the 5 o'clock cocktail hour, heels, make-up, glitter, the works...way too much, at the same time, she actually wears pantyhose (I thought those things were long dead), we also have the typical old lady who likes to chat with everyone she sees and tells us all the same story everyday, there is the overweight smelly man who always falls asleep and we need to poke him to let him know the bus has arrived and then hope someone wakes him up when its his time to get off the bus, and these are just the people at the morning bus stop, imagine the things I see and hear each day on the way to work and back..

I have been actually taking the opportunity to study for the drivers test (yes I need to take a drivers test here because they wont accept my American drivers license, that's another post)while on the bus so it has kept me busy..

If you would like to hear more about my bus stories, please comment and let me know.

photo google

Yaya & Melisa's Birthdays

Well today is the day of birthdays, My grandmother turns 96 and she is healthier than any of us with the exception that she doesn't know who any of us are..She really has no clue as to who is who or what is going on around the world, which is why I think she is so healthy, she has no stress!! nothing to worry about..I called her to wish her happy birthday and she asked me who I was and why I was calling her, I told her who I was but she said she didn't know anyone by that name.. It's a little sad getting older and forgetting about all those who love you but I guess just as some are leaving this life others are just beginning. Melisa, our live in nanny is 20 today as well. She remembers everyone alright and boy do most people remember her!! hahaha..

This year is specially hard for me because I turn 39 and by next year I will start a new stage in life. Although I feel great and think I still look pretty good, I'm not 20 years old, it is evident. I have been very emotional lately just thinking about the passing of time and how I'm getting older but I'm slowly realizing that what is important is who we are now, not physically but spiritually and what experiences we have gone through to get us here. I have had a very fulfilling life until now and I'm sure when I turn 40 it will be just as fulfilling or much more. So I will forget about the wrinkles, saggy skin, and grey hairs for now...

The Urba Party

Ok, all you Americans are probably wondering..what the hell is an urba party. Well Urba is short for urbanization, a very popular word herein Spain since most Spaniards live in apartments which form an urbanization, something like a small community. Well, the city hall allows all urbanizations to have a great big party once a year (in the summer) meaning everything goes, music, fireworks, anything you want, and the pesky little neighbors that always complain about everything (we have a couple here I will be writing about later) can't say shit!! it's actually quite funny.

Well, this weekend after the election of the new community president and leaders (I was voted for my block) we planned a weekend feast. it all started Friday afternoon with games for the kids. All of a sudden we looked around and there most have been 30 plus kids from 3 years old to 12 just running around like crazy. They all participated in the games, played dress up and won prizes, then we set up a mini theater and sat all the kids down with popcorn while the adults had dinner, a huge pot luck.. with beer and all sorts of drinks. Al around 4 am we all crawled back to our apartments. (kids included).

The next two days were similar, the men had a soccer match, there was a tennis match, the women played cards, the men poker, we swam in the pool, overall the kids had a great time and I can't complain.

I was the official photographer but I'm ashamed to say that when downloading the second batch of pictures I overrode the first batch which was the best of the first day. I'm trying to recover them but I'm not sure I will be able to. But I was able to save the rest..

see pictures here

Pisa was an adventure

think more than Florence I liked the quaint little town of Pisa..even though there is really not much to see other than a huge courtyard where you find a church, dome and the famous leaning tower of Pisa, that is very much leaning. Matt & I climbed to the top and it was awesome. It was magical to be on top of place you have read about all your life. It was really amazing and one of the best parts of the trip, because it was very relaxing and we didn't have to walk a lot.

Marco loved running through the huge green courtyard, and looking at the tower. When you take a look at our pictures from the trip you will notice that Matt took more pictures of the tower than anywhere else on the trip. I think he got a little obsessed. anyway. We are glad to be home and are still enjoying the rest of the summer..

see picture here

Rome was spectacular

t's taken me a while to get back into the routine after our Italy trip. I must say although it was a lot of fun, we need a vacation from our vacation. Also, I think I forgot to mention that Isabella was sick the entire time we were in Italy and when we returned we found out she had a pneumonia!! poor thing.. She is all better now..

Ok, now for the Rome story.. first of all, after the roach motel hotel we stayed in Florence, Rome's hotel was amazing.. They welcomed us with tea and cookies and the hotel was beautiful. It was right in the center of town and we were able to walk to many of the sites like the Roman Ruins and the Coliseum.

The three days we spent there were awesome, the entire city in enchanting, there are statues, museums, cathedrals, churches, fountains, everywhere. The entire city is just enchanting.. I don't want to bore you with all the details..just to say, Rome is a city you all need to visit and soon.

view all pictures here