A Random Day

Today was a day of nothing special and everything special.

I got up and went to the gym. The high tech security system of course didn't work for me. It turned out I was pressing too hard with my thumb. The old guy who seems cranky but is probably just a typical Spaniard was busy yelling at someone, maybe he was talking, on his cell phone. I pushed the little button like he showed me and then put my thumb on the thumb pad and the turnstile did not turn. I tried again, and again, and again. Each time it said something that told me it didn't recognize me. The old guy behind the desk yelled over to someone who came and showed me how to do it. He kind of hovered his thumb above the little light rather than push down. I reset the machine and was going to do it with my own thumb, but he did it again with his and motioned for me to pass. I was a little peeved, because I understood what I was doing wrong but wanted to see if my thumb actually worked. I guess tomorrow will be the test.

The gym was also more crowded today. Still not bad, but I noticed how close together the machines are. I didn't notice it yesterday because there weren't as many people.

After the gym I came home and took a shower and then went to a bank on Calle Feria that had a sign outside that they exchange money. I wanted to change some money. I walked inside and it didn't look like banks I am used to. There were a few desks and at first I didn't see it, but there was a little counter with a teller behind it. One teller.

I stood in line and when it was my turn told him I wanted to change money. He asked me what kind. I told him dollars and showed him the dollars I had. He said they don't change hundred dollar bills.

I thought it was really dumb but didn't say that. Instead, I asked him where I could change them. He said to try another bank or a casa de cambio (exchange house).
I wasn't happy and all of the hassles I've had in different countries trying to change money came back to me. I really need to find a better solution to the whole money thing when I travel.

I stopped in another bank and was surprised that this one didn't even have a counter for a teller. There were two desks and behind a glass wall, another one. I asked the guy if I could change money. He asked me what kind. I told him dollars and showed him the bills. He said I could.

He took my passport and made a copy. When he came back, I told him I was here for two months and wondered if it was worth it to open an account. I had read that they have non-resident accounts. He said he thought it would be worth it because each time I change money I get charged a commission, and if I deposit all of my money into an account and change it at once I would only get charged one commission. I decided to do that and came home and got all of my cash and went back. It was a lot of money. I thought I at least deserved a toaster, but I got nothing but a bank book. My ATM card will be delivered to me next Friday.

From there I stopped at an organic produce store and bought some tomatoes and then went to the bakery that has prepared food to get some food for lunch and dinner.

The guy in the bakery seems very cranky. I think he is just Spanish. My impression of Spaniards is that they are mostly brusque and don't smile a lot.

I wanted to ask him about the prepared food so I let everyone who came in after me go. Then I asked him if there was any prepared food. He pointed to the display case which had a few things and said just what was in the case. I began to order and more people came in. He went and served them. I was getting a little irritated because not only was he brusque, he wasn't very helpful. I ended up buying some gazpacho, a piece of spanish tortilla, a salad with tuna, green peppers, tomatoes and olive oil and some bread. I still am not sure when they have the prepared food, but I think as far as bakeries go, I am going to try to find another one. I decided I don't like that guy.

I had a nice lunch and then decided to go to the Centro Andaluz de Arte Contemporaneo - CAAC - the Andaluz Center of Contempory Art. It's just across the river and when I checked their hours I found that they were not closed for siesta. Since I had spent most of the morning already and was afraid I'd have to change my plans, I was happy and thought it would be good to go during siesta as it might be less crowded.

So I hopped on my bike and rode across the bridge. At first I was confused because when I entered, I didn't see any art, or galleries or museum or anything. It was an old church and maybe monastery. There were big chimneys from kilns where they used to make pottery. I walked around a bit and finally found an office. I asked about exhibitions and she told me there was only one and that because it was Tuesday it was free. Cool deal! I found the exhibition, which was some photography. It was okay, but I really liked the building.

I walked around the grounds and snapped some photos. There was some beautiful tilework and remnants of painting on the walls and ceiling. I really liked that it was an old church that had not been restored. It felt very ancient. I will go back when they have some new art, but I was happy to be the only person there and not too disappointed that I didn't see anything.

I came home and looked at my Spail Rail Pass and figured out that I need to make reservations to use it. I looked up the train schedule and found trains for my trip from here to Toledo on the way to Madrid and the trip from Madrid to Barcelona and went to the train station to book those trips. I have a pass that I can use any 6 days in a two month period. It will start tomorrow and the end of two months will be when I leave Barcelona.

I came home and tried to figure out how I will use the other four days I have now. I am thinking I will do one day going to Cordoba and then Granada, and then one day returning from Granada, with maybe a stop somewhere. That will leave me with two days which I might save for when I am in Madrid, since it seems like most trains run from Madrid to other parts of the country.

I put my laundry in the washer when I went to the train station and by the time I got back, it was ready to be hung out.

Then, I had a light dinner and then got ready for a skype call. After that I went out for a bike ride. It's the first time I have been out late. It was about 10:15 when I went out. Restaurants and cafes were filled with people drinking and eating. I found out that if I take the bike path in the opposite direction, not towards the river, it takes me downtown. I'm beginning to realize how small Seville is, especially if you have a bike.

And that was it. It was a full day, nothing terribly spectacular, but it was all good.