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| But first, a selfie at the Metro station |
At 15 minutes before Sacrament meeting (9:30), Sierra and I asked a few people for directions to Calle Ramon de Aguinaga. The vendors at the bullfighting arena didn’t know, but a Spanish tourist put it on her phone and pointed us at least the right way. Two inquiries later, and we finally arrived at the right calle, where a couple was walking with Sunday clothes. Que suerte!
Fortunately, we ran into them, because they pressed numbers to open this gate to a compound, then led us to one part of a building, where they had an actual LDS church layout built into the space. Had we not seen them, we would not have been able to get in. In the chapel, a lady came up to us who greeted us in English with a charming Spanish accent. Her name was Ani and she had a friend visiting from West Jordan who had served a mission in Spain.
Sacrament meeting was wonderful, though all that Spanish, and wanting to understand it made my head swim. The last talk was especially powerful. He spoke slowly and with authority; talking to Sierra later, she and I agreed that we could actually understand his message which was: Work, work, work. And, Fellowship, fellowship, fellowship.
Sunday School came next. I suggested that Sierra join the young single adults, but since no one was in that room, she joined me at Gospel Principles, taught by Ani. She was so sweet, asking even Sierra and me to read from the scriptures. En Espanol of course. I enjoyed the class, and just soaked up the spirit (which talked coincidentally about the gift of tongues) but it was a bit frustrating to not be able to raise my hand and say anything. So by the time we got out of church, and started talking to Elder Lloyd of Roy, Utah, who is serving here, Sierra and I were so happy to chat in English.
The ward here is larger than the branch in Ireland, of course, and in the hall, there was a bit of a traffic jam from all these members greeting each other with besos on both cheeks, as is the Spanish custom. They sing with full voices but few harmonize. Discussion is very spirited. As usual, it was wonderful to be with other Saints in this Madrid ward.
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| Parque de Retiro gardens |
We met Joy (who’d gone to mass) for lunch at the apartment, then we voted unanimously to postpone our siesta and instead go to Parque del Buen Retiro for the afternoon. The sun beat down on us, but we found shelter in the tree-lined pathways, which made for a pleasant stroll. The park used to belong to the royal family, but now it’s public, which is a great gift to the Madrilenos.
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| Crystal Palace |
In the park, there were sculptures, topiaries, and the famed Crystal Palace which made Sierra’s day and is lovely but feels like a building under a magnifying glass.
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| Ana y Javier |
By the time we came home it was 6, just enough time to take a nap before Joy’s Spanish friend Ana and her husband Javier picked us up to take us to dinner at their home in Las Rosas. Their home is lovely, and full of little paintings and decorations that speak of travels and appreciation of life’s simple joys, like a Rembrandt style one of a young girl putting on her shoe. It is a villa in a gated community with a swimming pool and a view of nearby mountains.
They know Joy from a time when Ana and her children came to Ireland to learn English. I wanted to practice my Spanish, but talked to them in English because I could tell they wanted to practice.
Dinner was fantastic fare: Tortillas de patatas, Russian salad, pork kebabs, chamembert cheese on little bread slices, and topped off with lemon granitas for dessert.
The surprise of the evening was that Javier has finished writing a futuristic novel and submitted it today for copyright licensing. I don’t know if he’s ever done high five in his life, but I high fived him because that is just awesome. During the day, he is a computer professional, and wrote this book on his blackberry on breaks. Amazing, huh?
While the adults talked publishing and Ireland, Sierra cutely sketched on paper with the youngest child, Anita, and then helped her make paper airplanes. Jorge, their son (there were two older children, who were gone to camp), practiced his English with us.
Here’s a bonus treat —
Casa Gutierrez Tortilla de Patatas
(courtesy of mis amigos nuevos Ana y Javier)
3 med potatoes, sliced thinly
Chopped onion (optional)
Six eggs, beaten
Fry potatoes over low heat. If too hot, potato will not cook well on the inside.
Take off potatoes from oil and drain, then add to eggs in a separate bowl. Mix everything with salt in another frying pan and cook in a little amount of oil. Cook over low heat until bottom is done. Then flip it over and cook until done. Serves six.
PS We have a full day tomorrow. Royal Palace in Madrid in the morning, then Toledo and the Alcazar in the afternoon. Hasta luego!
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