Errands without knowing Spanish

April 7, 2013: a day of ordinary adventures: the post office and the bakery

It's turned cooler here (low 60's) but still brilliantly sunny. Tomorrow the forecast is for rain. I honestly don't know if I've ever been in Madrid when it's rained but my daughter Amy assures me it does. I have an umbrella and only two 1/2 blocks to their place and wifi and my iPad here so what the heck.

PO first! The lady working there really should have been able to understand my well practiced "doce sellos para USA"  Is my accent that bad???

Had to first ask a young woman how to get my "number;" she was lovely but while she was trying to show me, this old, really old but fast, woman zipped in and got a number ahead of me.
Yes, I sat there and chuckled when her #250 went up and she did not have all her papers together. The worker (the one who doesn't understand my Spanish) had to give her some forms and send her away ... twice she shooed her away and would not let old lady stand at her desk and fill out the forms.

Then my turn. Smiling and clearly I asked for 12 stamps for the USA. Complete confusion on her part. I mean what's the problem, senora?? Fortunately for me, there was a really nice man at the next counter who understood me perfectly. The PO worker seemed confused that I wanted stamps to the USA!!! Am I really the first? Obviously I am not in tourist territory here! She groaned, got up, and went in search of her stamps to weird foreign places book, found it, explained to me twice that I would have to use 2 of the stamps on my mail; I got it, I smiled, I nodded.

She gave me two (for one letter) and asked for money. VERY clearly I said " Mas, en toto doce" and smiled. She seemed confused again and re-explained that i had to use TWO per piece of mail.
Grrrrr. I got that. I  repeated "mas" -- thank heavens for my friend at the next counter who was chuckling now. Whew! I finally got my stamps, gave her the money, God knows how much I paid, and walked out the door with my new friend who wished me a good day.

And I am always tickled by the people who speak extensive and fast Spanish to me when clearly I don't understand a word they say. Hahahaha!

Whew! The bakery was easier: I just needed bread but looking around saw that I'd have to settle for a baguette. I think I asked for it sliced but I think she asked if I wanted it regular or rustica. Knowing I'm in a foreign land (what the heck was I thinking to want it sliced) I opted for rustica. That was easy enough and I went home to make my jamon y queso and Pringles + tinto de verano supper.

Yes, if we want to spend time in a foreign country, we really should learn the language. I promise I'm trying! My high school Latin from 50+ years ago just doesn't help that much.