domingo

Sunday morning I woke to the church bell outside my flat calling all Catholics within earshot to Mass. Although I am not Catholic, I am a believer, so church was the obvious choice this morning. I thought church in a foreign country would be a great topic to write about, and, frankly speaking, Jesus is Jesus wherever you are.

I dressed and took out my bible and walked over to the beautiful church and sat in a pew, waiting for Mass to begin.

I had no illusions about understanding the ceremony. I knew I would be shaky. In all actuality, I was completely retarded. After a while, I just started listening for the word, “Christo”. The people next to me thought I was possessed by a demon, as every time I heard the word, I would respond, “okay!” or “yes!!” I knew I had a problem when the dona next to me started to ease out of the pew slowly.
Next Sunday I’m just going to sit and be quiet. I think that needs to be the mantra for my life. Just go sit down somewhere and be quiet.

The afternoon was quite eventful, 4 other women moved into the flat. We have a full house now, which is definitely a change from the large lonely flat I became used to. Monica is a pretty Polish girl who is fluent in Spanish spending vacation. Betina is an Austrian who had to move out of her other flat because of an immense shipment of French people being parceled in from somewhere in Europe. Maria is an animated and sweet smiling teacher from Chicago and Narsica is the newest addition from the Netherlands.

Maria, Monica, and I decided to go out and watch the match tonight, as Spanish CNN simply refused to discuss anything else. I did discover, however, that some of the boys on the Spanish team are quite nice looking.

The match was between the Netherland and Spain. Naturally, Spain won. The city erupted in celebration complete with fireworks and drunken people in the street. Maria, Monica and I stood on the street and watched cars being mobbed by enthused flag baring scantily clad natives who were united in jubilation and pride. Children with painted faces danced in the intersection. Cars drove by with people on top of the hoods. It literally seemed as if after Spain won the match, people got into their cars to drive around town with their compadres on the hoods.

I think Maria and Monica are still outside. I came in early because I am responsible, and besides, I have school in the morning.