One of the cool things about Europe is efficiency and conservation as related to natural resources.  Certainly, in the Valencian Community, fresh water is a precious commodity, as drought is a problem.  Gas and oil are also expensive, as we´ve found that fuel for the car is roughly $5.43 per gallon (98.3 céntimos per liter).

When I first saw our piso, I snickered inwardly at our "water heater."  It was a box roughly 2 feet by 1 foot in dimension, mounted in the utility room.  In the states, we have a water heater that´s about 4 feet tall, a tank worthy of being called a water heater.

We´ve finished our second week in Spain, and things continue along swimmingly for the most part.  We have no news concerning our house until tomorrow evening, so at the moment, we are stuck playing the waiting game.  It has been bitterly disappointing to see the house offer fall flat, but I am not discouraged.  In all this, God has some sort of plan, even if I can´t see it at the moment.

On to the fun stuff!  Saturday was a lovely day.  We celebrated Patricia´s and her mom´s birthday with a really nice lunch.  The first plate was melon with serrano ham, as well as assorted meats and cheeses, and olives.  Second plate was chicken with mushroom gravy, and potatoes with red peppers.  Dessert was a refreshing fruit salad, then a delicious chocolate cake from the Corte Inglés.  Fantastico!

Last week I told you about my experience requesting my NIE at the Subdelegación Gobierno.  To recap, I was told that the computers were down, and it would be impossible for them to issue me a number immediately.  I was given a phone number for their office, and I should call them between 9 and 2, and they promised that they could give me the number over the phone.  Great!

Which I did on Thursday afternoon, all day Friday and Monday.  For 5 straight hours per day, the telephone line was busy.  On Monday evening, I decided to take matters into my own hands by going down to the Subdelegación in person.  So, Tuesday morning, I got up before dawn, and was pleased to see that I was the first one in line, having arrived at 7 AM.  I took my place and waited for about 2 minutes until a worker from inside the office came out to inform me that today was ¨fiestas¨, and the offices were closed.

Ouch.

Emma Lazarus penned quite appropriate words for those seeking American freedom:

"Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

This poem is inscribed on a tablet on the pedestal where the Statue of Liberty stands, and are words that have seldom felt appropriate in my heart, as I am 10 generations removed from the time that my ancestors crossed over from (probably) Ireland on a rotting, stinking, creaking ship that took 7-10 weeks for passage. 

Saturday in Spain is an utter joy.  Next door to us, a finca (apartment building) is being built, which means that during weekdays, the workers are drilling and shouting by 7 AM.  This morning, I thoroughly (guiltily?) enjoyed sleeping in until 8:30.

Our week has been quite busy- so much so that I haven't blogged much.  But here's the news to catch you up!

This week, we have checked these things off our lists:

Growing up in the US, I certainly took many things for granted, such as the time-honored ritual of patiently waiting your turn in line.  No cutting was allowed, and your order in the queue was quite well defined.

This AM Patricia and I ventured out to get our empadronamiento (basically, letting the local town know that we live here).  We were unable to accomplish this because we didn't have a photocopy of our rental agreement with the landlords.  We should be able to sign this tonight, and all will be on its way.  Should.  I'm not holding my breath.