Devon Cooper

Step one: make a really simple shopping list (Lasagna noodles, ground beef, spaghetti sauce, cottage or ricotta cheese, mozzarella)

Step two: go to the skanky but fairly reliable Dia (the neighborhood budget grocery, similar to a save a lot)

Step three: get frustrated because they dont have lasagna noodles, spaghetti sauce, OR cottage cheese

Step four: go to the Corte Ingles (ridiclously overpriced but guaranteed to have what you need)

Step five: get frustrated because they only have ONE brand of cottage cheese and it's overpriced. Then get frustrated again because they only have ONE brand of spaghette sauce and it's overpriced. Then (can you guess what's coming?) get frustrated again because they only have ONE brand of lasagna noodle and it's overpriced.

Step six: fix and enjoy your incredibly expensive americanized lasagna
 
Step seven: resign yourself to a future of eating the nasty Spanish version of lasanga which involves spice-less tomato sauce and a serious overload of bechamel. Yuck

This is a big city, but I am beginning to recognize those regulars that haunt my neighborhood. The only thing is, the regulars are not people... they are animals. Cats and dogs to be specific. I can recognize people much more easily by the animal acompanying them. For example, every morning on the way to work I pass by the lady with the stroller - always by her side is a beautiful golden retriever. This must be the most intelligent dog on the planet. He (or she) is never on a leash. He walks at her side, stops at crosswalks, begins walking when the light turns green. The dog even remembers their daily route, as I have seen it, a couple paces ahead of its owner, make the correct turn at an intersection. This has been by far the most impressive animal-citizen I have noticed. Of course, another that stands out is a particular big black Marmaduke dog... In a city of tiny terriers and Bichons, this dog is definitely noticeable!
But as much as I love dogs, I must say my favorite sight to wach for are all the different cats that live on my particular block. By far the coolest cats are the big black furry one and the smaller calico that are always sitting in a patch of sun together, like best friends or an old retired couple. They both have unruly, unbrushed fur and the most laid back personality ever. Aside from these two, there is a pair of black and white cats that I call the twins. They look exactly alike and like to hang out on the hoods of cars. Walking from my house to the gate of the complex, I always see at least four or five cats skitting around, minding their own business. And, no matter where the cats wonder, the little dogs on leashes keep an eye on them... but they never bark or chase them. In Spain, the dogs are so well behaved that most walk the streets by their owners side sans leash- even the big ones- and I never find myself nervous or afraid of them. They are definitely cool! 

Hear me roar.

Okay, so I am bragging a little. I am proud of myself today! Last night, after working approx. 13 hours, I came home and packed everything I own (literally) into three HUGE suitcases, another small one, and a backpack. I then spent the night on a bed with no sheets, using my coat for a pillow. First thing in the morning, I dragged each suitcase one at a time down two flights of stairs. Keep in mind, each one weighed well over 50 pounds.

Next the cab driver and I loaded them into the cab/minivan. We headed across town and he left me and my suitcases at the bottom of yet another flight of stairs at my new apartment building. I successfully wrangled each monstrous bag up to my place (luckily only one flight this time) and I am now oficially installed in my new place. I am probably the happiest (and most exhausted) person in Madrid right now!

Hooray!