One thing that always surprises me when traveling overseas is how many American influences I see. I went to the supermercado today and watched in shock as my friend whipped out her "El Club" card for preferential treatment. Those tick me off in America -- I can't believe they've made it all the way over here! :p

Since we needed so many items <including a no-joke 10 pound box of milk> she ended up calling her colleague to drive us home. The car is still broken and looks like it will be going to the coche graveyard, so we've been walking almost everywhere. This morning the ninos were running late so we missed our bus by about five minutes after dropping them at school. Since the bus only comes by once an hour we had a nice half hour stroll into the office.

Another thing I'm loving about Espana is the laid-back pace. Kids don't have to be at school til 9 and you pick them up at 2 before going home for lunch and the siesta. Of course my friends are from Costa Rica, so they don't observe the siesta...but the pace still seems slower.

I learned a new important phrase today...but for the life of me I can't remember it now, so I guess learned is not the most appropriate term. ;) I asked how to say I am boring because my friend's son is just mystified that I'm not ticklish anywhere. I feel quite free to regularly tickle him, but tonight he was ringing his hands and talking to himself about where oh where could I be ticklish. I could be wrong, but I think children might be quite similar all over the world. :)