Final Days in the 'Manc

Woke up Sunday morning for church (the only Evangelical church in the entire city where I attended a few times last Spring), where I sat next to a very sweet elderly lady who shared her song book with me. After the service, I thanked her and she said (in Spanish, duh), “Oh honey, that’s because we’re sisters in Christ!” and greeted me with a kiss.

After church, I made the trek to the bus station to change my ticket for Monday night. I never wanted to leave. In fact, I almost got the feeling that I lived there again and that I didn't actually have a job to return to in Madrid…or that real life waits for me in the States.

Escoli and Pilar (Isa's friend from work) came over for lunch….apparently it was Isa’s 46th birthday and I didn’t know L Madre made baked chicken and apples, which was my ultimate favorite meal from last year (maybe even of all time…tied with cheeseburgers? Agh, it’s a tough call) and homemade French fries….followed by—wait for it—THREE rounds of dessert. First, the melon came out, then homemade natillas (much like custard). I really started to panic when Isa brought out a huge tray of dessert pastries from Gil, the local bakery, so when madre told me to go to bed as she always does after lunch, I didn’t say no thank you. She also asked me if I had any clothes I needed washed…I was tempted to say yes just so I could feel like I still lived here. I wish that were still true!!! L

Finally some sunshine (!!), I went for a beautiful run by El Rio Tormes. I took my sweet time on the way back to stop into a few souvenir shops (I wanted to get some small gifts for the kiddos back in Madrid to say thanks for letting me stay in Salamanca an extra day!)

As any typical Salamantino would, I sat ON the plaza basking in the afternoon sun...I just had to. This is one of the things I miss most about Salamanca. Everywhere I looked, people were eating gelato or meeting friends over coffee, and groups of University students were sunbathing and sharing cigarettes on the cobblestone floor of the plaza.

After a dinner of Spanish tortilla, oily and salty tomatoes, and pastry for dessert, I joined madre in the sunroom for some of The Da Vinci Code (dubbed in Spanish of course).

Later, I met up with Cesar at Birdland (I showed him a new bar!), where he bought me a caña and we talked about everything from religion to our biggest pet peeves. He walked me home and gave me two cds of Spanish music (I only vaguely remember mentioning I wanted to download more) along with a very sweet letter reminding me that have a friend in Salamanca that will never forget me. I’m glad this isn’t goodbye forever, though, since he says he’ll be visiting Madrid sometime in July.

Monday morning, I woke up early to make the most of my last day in the ‘Manc. I showered, ate breakfast, and was out the door by 11 (this is a big deal considering my weekend schedule). After making a quick stop by the post office to mail my postcards, I wove in and out of a few of my favorite stores on Calle Toro (finally open!) just as I used to do so often. I bought flowers, a card, and a vase (from open-air pottery market on Zamora) for madre as a small thank you. Turns out my gesture made her angry, but it was worth it.

Lucia (madre's son's 5-year-old daughter) was over for lunch: noodle soup (like homemade version of soup secrets), chicken filets—salt, oil, onion, breadcrumbs, and garlic--I say this so I will remember how to make this myself!, bread, fruit, and more pastries.

Afterwards, I said “goodbye” to the Plaza and the river, and sipped a delicious iced cappuccino at Café del Arte, even though my bartender wasn't there :-/

The beautiful weather made it even harder to leave. I kissed madre and Luis goodbye, handed them my keys, and tried to fight back the tears. Madre reminded me that I always have a family in Salamanca and even gave me Isa’s cell phone number so that I can visit them in their country house (30 minutes outside Sal) before I go back for the summer. I just might take them up on that one ;)

Lucia, madre, and me

This was such a whirlwind of a trip, strange, wonderful, sad, nostalgic, so many emotions all at once. Until the next time, Sal!