5:30pm
Checked out an apartment in the area GOYA in Madrid. Its a VERY nice area. You have some lovely (expensive) shops, the famous El Corte Ingles (like a famous mall), a shopping center, palacio de desportes ( Sport' Palace), metros close by, parks, long shopping street, restaurants and bars. I LOVED the area and it is in walking distance of EVERYTHING!
So the roomies told me to come at 5:30pm to check out their apartment to see if I liked it. As well as they didn't say this, but they wanted to check me out as well to see if they would want me as a roomate. For at the end of the week they are going to pick who they would like to have as their new roomate.
So was on my way I was not as nervous heading to the apartment as I thought I would be.Granted back in the states I would have never gone alone to meet people I didnt know, let alone been able to follow a map to find it by myself. It sounds silly, maybe a little bit pathetic. But I just wouln't have allowed myself to be judged by others while was without a companion to take some of the heat off me. But I went alone and was amazed at how confident I was just ringing their bell, and entering a house of four spanish folk sizing me up.
I wondered if they had some kind of expectations of what an "American girl from CALIFORNIA" might be like. Haha wonder if they expected me to come in wearing louis vuitton (how ever you spell it), and holding a gucci bag? or perhaps being loud and abnoxious, gracing them with my presents?...I am not saying this out of being a naive or paranoid American. I am saying this because pretty much all of the Europeans I have met during my time here have said " You are not like most Americans are you?" and I simply ask them " What are most americans like?" and they say " Loud, center of the world, RICH!"..haha I ask " How many Americans have you actually met, and how many of these Americans are what you have seen from Gossip Girl and the O.C". ... haha so maybe us Americans are not the ONLY "naive" ones out there?
Anyways back on track... I entered and was graced by 2 kisses X 4 people on the cheek ( European custom, you get used to it), and was escorted to the first room which was the tiniest kitchen I had ever seen. Haha it was cute though, and on the stove was delicous Paella that they make EVERY sunday! Next was the bathroom quite small aswell especially for four people two of whom are FEMALES! hahah then it was the room where I would sleep. It was tiny and messy from the girl still staying there. But I liked it, plenty of room and the bed was a good size for me...SMALL AND SHORT! ... I dunno HOW the girl in it now slept, she was much taller? Anyways then to the Salon (living room) it had two couches, coffee table, a shelf, and a eating table...and I can't remember but maybe a baby tv somewhere. Looking out from the Salon was the terrace above six floors looking out to the busy street and there were two tables which was covered in Paella that one of the guys was quickly sweeping on to the floor and smiled bashfully. hahah
It is a small place but I dont need a lot of room and the people were nice. Asking me all kinds of questions as ...HERE WE GO..." Have you seen any movie stars", " do you have a beach and BLONDE lifeguards?", " do you live in a mansion?", " is it true you really cant drink untill you are 21?"..etc.
Man the I love to see how much the Media plays a role in how people see other cultures. hahah
On my way out I said I liked everything, which I did they seemed nice. I think what my favorite part is, was that they didnt clean up the house to try and impress me. Everything was messy and packed with stuff that it was relaxing you could say. I didnt feel like I had to be neat (thank God because I am NOT), and just the laid-back atmosphere of it all showed me that these people would be fun to be around.
So I signed the list of TEN others awaiting a call from them to say they have been chosen. I dunno how much I got passed their test. I tried to be as charming as possible in a different language. And I think one guy and girl were buying it. But the other guy I dont believe he liked that I was learning spanish and couldnt speak very fast. But I dont want to read to much in to it. So I am just going to say it was a nice experience and whatever happens happens.
I am just proud of myself for being so independent and doing something new.
A Lesson Learned.
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