Monday, October 12, 2015 - Salou, Spain

Well, where did this day go?  I was up reasonably early and had a quick breakfast because I thought I might actually eat out somewhere for lunch while walking around.  Of course I checked e-mails and facebook and other internet sights before setting out.

I was heading to the outdoor market that is held every Monday morning in Salou but I had not yet been there, to the bookstore, to the library, to a pharmacy, and then the tourist office.  At least that was my original goal.  But I forgot this was a long weekend so many things like the library and the pharmacies are not open.  So my library books did not get returned and I did not buy what I want from the pharmacy - nothing urgent but I'd rather buy supplies here than try in Africa.   The bookstore was open but they still had not received their shipment of books in English to replace those that were lost in the bad rain store over a week ago.  Now that is an urgent situation because it means I have absolutely nothing to read.  It's a good thing I have my laptop and my Sudoku book to keep me occupied.

The market was running this morning.  It was actually the part I thought might be cancelled on a holiday but luckily it wasn't.  It took me a while to find it as it wasn't really on the street that it was listed for but rather on an adjoining street.  Once I got in the right vicinity I really just had to keep following the crowds and they let me to it.

The market is quite a large one and sells just about everything.  The stalls are set up on both sides of the street on the four streets surrounding an empty square or plaza.  It is  a great layout as you just have to walk around the square.  You don't have to go part way up and then turn around and go back as in some market set-ups.  This one actually reminded me of the ones in Florida by the way it was laid out and as it seemed to have everything.  You could get clothes of all descriptions but coats seemed to be the popular item today.  There were purses and shoes and belts and bags.  There were household items for the kitchen, bathroom, bedroom.  There were personal hygiene items and lots of snacks and drinks.  There were no fruits and vegetables though.  

The market was quite busy and some of the stalls seemed to be doing a brisk business.  Other stalls seemed quite deserted.  Although I do not need anything and have no room for anything I did buy some stuff.  As I wear my running shoes almost continually every day, my low socks are starting to get quite thin and also dirty looking.  So I bought three new pairs for 2 euros - bargained down from 3 euros.  There was a pair of black pants that I liked - nothing fancy just comfortable looking.  I passed them by once and then went back again.  They were one size fits all and most of those don't really fit me all that well so I was hesitating.  The lady running the stall didn't speak much English so you couldn't exactly ask whether they fit big or small; however, I tried.  I didn't laugh at the time but she was hilarious.  She was a big woman, probably over six feet tall and at least 250 pounds if not 300.  To prove they would fit she simply pulled up her shirt and showed me that she had a pair on.  It was not exactly a pretty sight but the plants did indeed fit her and I knew she was definitely bigger than me.  They looked quite nice on her and not too tight at the top or down the leg so I figured if she could wear them I probably could too.  I couldn't talk her down on the price though so I had to pay 8 euros for them.  

Then, because I can take two suitcases into Ethiopia, and because neither of them can be over 20 kg, I decided to go back and look for a cheap suitcase / sports bag or something that could be checked in.  The object here would be to put some of my stuff into the extra suitcase to stay under the 20 kg weight, but also to have a smaller case for when we do smaller trips like the 3 days in Ethiopia where we leave Addis Ababa and go to a smaller town or in South Africa where some of the stuff can be left behind at the hotel in Cape Town because it won't be needed on the 30-day trip and we start and end at the same hotel.  However, on some flights between now and then I might only be allowed one bag so I had to buy something that could be folded and put into my current suitcase to be checked or my backpack (or the backpack in it) s carry on.  It was tricky trying to balance the two things but I think I found a small sports bag that will work.  That too cost 8 euros - bargained down from the 15 the one guy started with but the other guy before him had already started at 13.

So I left the market, went to the bookstore and found out I couldn't buy any books today, went to the library to find out it was closed, and walked back to the apartment stopping on the way at the tourist info desk to check out the schedule of events for this week.  There was nothing of interest before the time I leave on Thursday, except for things today.  Being a holiday there were actually events this morning, even a parade but I think it was a Church parade for some saint before mass, so I'm not sure I missed too much.  However, I did suggest again that they have their weekly schedules, which start on Monday, ready for pick up on Sunday (instead of Monday) so people would know what was coming up.  

As I walked back to my apartment and started past the office I thought I'd stop in and see if they had a book library anywhere.  Well, in fact they did so I went in and looked and found a book that will tide me over quite nicely until I can actually get to buy something.  The office is much closer than the library so I should have been using them all along.  They also have a more current collection than the library.

It is really hot and humid today - probably close to 80 degrees with the humidity at least as high.  I was very hot and sweaty when I got back so I decided to change into my swim suit and head for the beach.  I was going to stop and have a paella at the restaurant out front first because it looked really good when I walked by on the way in.  So I went in and sat down and looked at the menu and decided the 20 euros I had in my pocket was not going to cover it, so I got up and left.  On the way down to the beach that I like best there are other restaurants so I stopped in one and had pork, potatoes and vegetables.  It came all together as a dish - one of the first times I've seen vegetables included.  it was very good.  The pork medallions and the vegetables were both grilled and very nicely seasoned, and the potatoes were boiled and then fried or grilled a bit with some onions.  The amazing part was that it was not greasy at all and I'm not sure there was any olive oil involved at all.

Then I spent two hours on the beach relaxing and reading my new book.  It was a bit cloudy by this time but the temperature was still quite warm and comfortable.  People were in swimming but I figured it might be a bit cool if you were wet so I skipped that part.  I normally do skip that part.  I just go to read and relax and watch the people.  The water is nice to look at but other than walking in and out occasionally to cool off, that's it for me.  I can't swim so that is not an attraction for me, although today would have been beautiful for swimming because the water was incredibly calm.  It would have been a good day for stand-up paddle boarding too but I didn't see anyone around doing that.

I came back to the apartment, tidied up, put things away, had some dinner, did some blogging, and before long it was the end of another day.