I am not quite sure why we stay up so late. Most likely to watch TV. The day gets a little busier after 6pm, especially because that is when I start getting most of your messages - thank you so much! I so love playing words with games with you and chatting with you; it makes me feel missed and connected. I do get out here also but I mostly visit Bea, my childhood friend, run errands with Mom or fetch Dad. This is a small town with not much to do and most of those I grew up with have moved away.
Running errands around here is a little more time-consuming than in the U.S. Bureaucracy is crazier - if you can imagine it. We went to get my license the other day but I will not have it for another three weeks. They did give me a paper that proves it is being renewed but the actual card will not be in my hands for a while longer. I am not quite sure why. The process is almost the same as it is in the U.S.: they take my picture and my signature through the computer. They just do not actually issue it. In addition, we have about four different kinds of cards, and it is hard to follow which you need at different places. There is an identification card, a driver's license and a card that shows where we live and then there is social security. The first three could be combined into one - just like in the U.S. - and hopefully some day someone will realize how much money and time they could save with it.
Sending a parcel is also no simple feat. When I went to the post office to send Joshua's gift, I needed to take a number instead of just standing in a line. When my number was called, I went to the teller but he told me it would be better to send it as letter since it is fairly light. I agreed and was waiting for him to do it. Much to my surprise he informed me that it was not his responsibility; I need to take another number and wait for the teller who is taking care of mails. I could hardly believe it. It meant another twenty-minute wait. It was worth it, I am not complaining at all, I just wanted to show you an example of lack of efficiency around here.
Watching TV is not very easy either. There are lots of TV channels - probably about the same as in the U.S. Mom has quite a lot and she has DVR and such. However, out of all those channels only five have programs with subtitles. It really cannot be called captioning because it is coming through the teletext system. Which means that it cannot actually be recorded so the DVR is really of no use. I either watch a program when it is on TV or I will not have the subtitles. That explains why I stay up late. Most of them really would not be worth my time - especially since I have never watched a whole lot of TV anyway -, but since the selection is limited, I try to pick one to watch with Mom every night. And then of course there are the soccer games. I mostly watch Spanish soccer and since the Spaniards take a nap (siesta) during the day and have dinner late at night, their games start around 9pm. Pattimom, did Javier teach you some of their customs? :)
We did go for a walk as the weather cleared up for a bit. On the picture you can see our regular path. It is pretty. I am also attaching a picture of our house, the car and Mom. Now you can see why they asked me when I bought the Toyota Echo why I need such a big car. :) This is a regular size car here and I am really glad it is not bigger since it is easier to navigate it on these roads. It makes traveling with lots of stuff a little problematic though. Have a wonderful day!
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