Typical Breakfast

One of the ways we're trying to meet people and become part of the neighborhood is by being regulars at various places.  I searched for a while before finding a couple of cafes that like to go in the mornings to study and work.  I usually get a cup of tea or a cafe con leche (coffee with milk), and then for another 50 cents or so I can get something for breakfast.

Here's my usual at this cafe - pan con tomate y aceite (bread/toast with tomato and olive oil).  I should probably switch it up sometime.  But I am absolutely and without doubt not a morning person, so my adventurous nature usually hasn't kicked in enough for me to change my order and try something new :).

Step 1.  Drizzle some lovely olive oil on the toast.

Step 2.  Spread fresh tomato and sprinkle with a little salt.

Step 3.  Enjoy and continue studying.

Calle Mayor

Watching the people walk by during a break in training.

Residency

Last week, we received the great news that our residency had been approved for the next two years!  However, we also learned that we needed to get to Malaga before March 3 to finish up a few things for our new residency cards.  So, most of us headed down there on Tuesday (the Harmons will go next week as they're still awaiting word on Sam's residency).

We allowed for some extra time because we didn't know what the lines were going to look like.  Turns out there wasn't much of a line anywhere we went, so everything moved really quickly and smoothly.  As you could guess, we were pretty happy about that because it gave us some time to relax a little before coming back to Madrid on Wednesday.  The next and final step is returning to Malaga in forty days to pick up our cards.  

Last year's residency card photo on the left.  This year's on the right.
I may have possibly been a little less shell shocked this time :).

Downtown

Nikki is deep in thoughtful contemplation...

Erin inspecting the beach.  I think it passed...

Dramatic dark clouds that helped us decide to return to our hotel.

Sunset

Irritating thing of the day:

When you know that you know a word that you really want to use, you have utilized it many times in previous conversations, and you can see a glimpse of it right there on the shelf of your mind - almost within your grasp - but you 

just. 

cannot. 

reach. 

it.

Chinese New Year in Madrid

The weather was beautiful yesterday, so I decided to go for a nice little Sunday afternoon walk.  I was headed toward Templo de Debod because you can see the horizon and I like to sit and read up there sometimes.  I typically pass through Plaza de España on the way because it's the fastest route and there's a good Chinese restaurant there in case I need a snack or decide to have a picnic.

So, I arrived at Plaza de España and discover that there is a Chinese New Year festival taking place.  Of course I have to check this kind of stuff out and ended up inviting my roommates to hike down there since there was a selection of great looking food available for pretty cheap :).  So I hung out and watched the dragon dancers while I waited for them.  We acquired snacks and had a little picnic on the grass.  Pretty nice way to spend a Sunday afternoon in January if you ask me.

Cute little kiddos playing a big drum.

"Happy Chinese New Year"

You don't see a dragon running around Plaza de España too often.

They weren't apparently concerned about possible litigation, because they
would just charge through the crowd and everyone would scatter!
I stayed close to the fence :).

A sample pack of various delicious Chinese dumplings!

Erin and I taking pictures of our snacks, picture courtesy of Nikki :)

Nikki and Erin taking pictures of the dragon.

One Year

One year ago today, six of us walked off the plane at Terminal 4 of Madrid-Barajas International Airport.  We got the visas in our passports stamped at Immigration/Customs, then collected our mountains of luggage.  Ryan and Jenee were kind enough to meet us at the airport, help us get our bags stuffed into taxis, and we rode into the city.  I remember getting somewhat settled into temporary housing, then meeting Jenee for lunch.  The rest of the day is kind of a blur.  I think there was some exploring, grocery shopping, and purchases of hair dryers in there, but jetlag has a way of scrambling your brain, you know?

And so began the process of trying to figure out how to live and do ministry in Madrid.

It's certainly been a strange year.