So my flight was supposed to leave at 3:45…well, we didn’t even board until 4:45 therefore, I was sitting at the Frankfurt-Hahn airport for well over 7 hours. I made it through Ryanair’s bullshit, which is the good part. They have cheap flights but you totally get what you pay for. What I mean by this is you can check up to 3 pieces of luggage with a maximum combined weight of 15kg aka about 30 something pounds. Then you are allowed only 1 carry-on, or so they say. I’ve heard horror stories about how they’ve denied people entry if they have more than one thing in hand and then they charge you to check it. So I was freaking out this whole time because on my way to Germany, I flew LAN so I had 30kg which was awesome and like just about every other airline, minus Ryanair, you can have a single carry-on and then one personal item…like a purse. Not only did I have my purse and my laptop bag, but I was worried my bag was overweight…which it was by 1 kilo or so but they didn’t charge me, thank God…all because the ladies behind the counter were lazy…I could tell. And I managed to carry-on both of my bags, which were jammed with a bunch of things to reduce the weight of my checked suitcase. What a pain, but I made it through.
When I finally got to Madrid, an hour behind schedule, this really threw me off because I still had to figure out what train station to go to in order to get to Leon. I ask “information” and all they do is give me a telephone number for Renfe, Spain’s train company. I have no money on my cell, but I do have some phone cards in my purse, so I call them and they tell me where to go. I then asked information what’s the best way to get to Estacion Chamartin to catch the 8:15 train. “Metro,” the woman says. I say okay. Then she tells me it’ll take about 45 minutes to get there and you have to switch lines a few times. I look at the clock, it’s exactly 7:30. There was no way I’d make it because I still had to buy my ticket and I have a shit ton of stuff. So I had to suck it up and take some cash out to pay for a cab. 20 Euros. F’n cabs but I didn’t really have much of a choice because there was no way I was going to risk missing the train and having to stay a night in Madrid.
I’m in the cab and the driver doesn’t stop talking. I’m tired and sick of traveling and he keeps f’n talking. I just wanted to scream. I know he was trying to be nice, but at this point, I’m sweating from so much rushing about and I just feel disgusting and the sound of people voices is getting on my nerves. I get in the train station, buy my ticket…the man behind the counter is trying to start a conversation with me…no, no, no…what is with all this unnecessary talking? I don’t feel like I look very approachable, at least if I were an outsider I wouldn’t want to talk to me, that’s for sure. Why do people feel the need to talk to me right now? Ugh. I make it on the train and change clothes, feeling a lot more at ease and from here travel about 3 hours to Leon where I’m staying with my old neighbor and her family.
My friend’s husband, Pedro, picks me up at the train station, I haven’t seen him in years so it’s a good thing I kind of remember what he looks like. We’re in the car and he tells me that there are some people at their apartment. I’m like, okay. Let’s recap…I look like an ass. I feel disgusting and I don’t like people talking to me. What’s wrong with this picture? So I get over myself and plaster that smile and warm friendliness that comes out every now and then, and enter the apartment. Oh, it’s not just a few people…it’s a party. A birthday party to be exact. Ha-ha. I just laugh at myself. These people probably see me and think I’m crazy…my hair is crazy, my eyes are bloodshot, I think I smell and I’m almost positive I was walking with a limp due to a long day of travel. So I introduce my self/get introduced. I just wanted to be like, “Hi. I’m Maribel. Please disregard my appearance. I’ve been traveling for about 24 hours, did a few lines of coke to stay awake; that explains the bloodshot eyes. Got in a fight with my cab driver, that’s why I walk with a limp and I haven’t showered, explaining my hair and stench. Nice to meet you.” When I finally got to bed, it was the most amazing thing EVER. So now, I want you all to do something, go up to your bed, and thank it. Say, “bed, thank you so much for being wonderful and comfy and warm, even when I turn evil.” We need to show appreciation for the things in life we take for granted. Not just beds, but couches, clean socks, soap, warm water, etc. Tell them thank you.
As for today, I’m doing a lot better. I’m clean and I was fed. So I’m not nearly as cranky. It’s nice to be in a warm home with people. I’ve been doing a lot of lounging on couches. So life is currently great. Hope yours is too. Peace out.
Later dudes,
Maribel