T.G.I.F

Day 75

Friday

Spain may poke fun at me, Spain may prod at my patience, Spain may push me to my wit’s ends, but it can’t deport me. I’m officially a legal short term resident. TGIF has taken on a new meaning – Thank God I’m on File. And apparently I’m a student. (The ever quick study of life shall I say, ha!)

The actual moment of obtaining my legality was less momentous than I had hoped for. After tromping through a rain storm (having overslept and turned off my alarm) I ran for the Comiseria (Police HQ) like a bat out of hell. One should never show up late to life. But as no one, no one, leaves their homes in the rain, I was the only one in the ‘extranjero’ (foreigner) line, which allowed me to simply waltz into the office (a waltz which normally played out to the tune of 2 grueling hours), flash my passport (which was of course taunted, ‘que joven!” (Whoa, look how young you were!) “yes yes I know. Yes, those are braces on my teeth. Yes, I did grow up, thank you.) and a little card was pulled out of a file and subsequently stuffed into my wallet. I can’t say I feel much different, even though I get a distinct pleasure asking for the ‘student’ discount at places. And getting it when I flash my student ID.

The rest of the day passed in that swirly mess of jet lag semi consciousness. I meandered thorough the market, so relieved to be back in the farmer’s market and out of Giant/Costco/Wal-Mart. But the rain sent my spirit back inside, back to bed. Jet lag ravishes me. I don’t even have the energy to be a bump on a log.

I wonder when the day will come when I can use my frequent flyer miles not to upgrade to first class, but to upgrade to a jet lag free arrival.