Day 4

Well, I finally did it!  I went to an electronics store to buy a notebook mouse and a new camera.  No one there spoke English.  So, I was forced to try and understand them.  Actually, I think both I and the sales clerks were equally confused by each other.  But, I was able to ask enough questions about the cameras to make a good selection and I got over the mental hurdle of getting out there and just speaking - regardless of how bad it is.  However, it wasn't until I got back to the hotel and opened the box and realized that I had bought a camera in Europe.  Hmmm, guess what that means?  I have a European AC plug on my charger!  And, it's a European model only.  Still, it will work out well while I'm here since I won't have to use a converter.

My other decision of the day was to enroll in Spanish school.  I'm a bit nervous about the conversational entrance exam but know I'll make up for it on the written exam.  I'm going to Philip's school tomorrow to register, get my books, etc.

Philip proud of his newly lifted scarf

Once Philip got back from school we did again what most people in Madrid do - went out at 8pm for a drink before dinner.  We had previously found a cozy pub so we decided to go back there.  Once there, Philip made quite a few arguments of how much my scarf looks better with his jacket than mine.  See, a good friend of mine, Liz, had knitted a scarf for me and it has always remained a favorite of mine.  And, while he's right, it doesn't go so well with my jacket, in the winter you go for warmth more than style (although Liz, if you're reading this, I'm sure you'd take issue with that =)  In any case, Philip has been eying it since I arrived because it is knitted in Spain's colors.

As you can see, he won out.   Sigh.  I now have a nice solid black scarf.

Being Valentine's Day we had planned on going out to a nice restaurant for dinner.  We searched for a place Philip had been to with his roommate previously but he couldn't remember where exactly it was.  So, we opted to return the restaurant where we had dinner the first night I got here. 

 It was an interesting night because our waitress spoke a little English and she and I had fun while I tried out my Spanish some more.   I was able to successfully ask her about "Huevos y Foie" (eggs & liver) which I've seen on many menus.  When I asked if it was chicken liver she was quick to point out that in Spain foie is always duck liver.  In Spanish, she explained that if it's not duck liver they simply call it pate and it is usually cheaper (like chicken).  Well, I got a volley back at Philip for lifting my scarf from me because I was able to understand her when he did not.
Philip-1, Chris-1