The sights and sounds....

The sights and sounds of something beautiful, dozens of happy voices and children buzzing about on a Friday night here below my hostal. I found an amazing apartment but it was not availble until October leaving me with three nighst to fend for myself since check out at the hotel was upon me. At first, I wasn't sure if my plan of coming here was the right thing. I seemed to be an observer to a world that I couldn't scratch the surface to. Surely I should be settled by now. ahh a few more days of living out of suitcases and feeling a wee bit lost.
So I here I am at the hostal which I must admit isn't bad. I have a room to myself and I think I saw maybe three people tops the whole time.  I'm in the heart of a working class Malaga barrio. People here tend to move and talk quickly as there is work to be done. At the cafe I get a quick yet warm greeting and then it's off to the next customer. the fisherman have no time to waste. I am in awe of the way everything falls into place. It seems like a million people whiz by and yet they all know each other to the core. I'm the new kid in town. The older men tip the hat/head and greet me and the women flash a smile before the scurry off to attend to shopping at the market. Oh the market...it is a feast for the senses. I feel like I am back in time. Orders are shouted, words and money exchanged in rapid fire and smirks of satisfaction are all part of the deal.
As I sit trying to figure out what to do with my last night here (again feeling a tad bit lost and lonely) I suddenly stopped, take a deep breathe and go out on the balcony of my room (see told ya it wasn't bad). There I see dozens of people, kids in tow exchanging colorful conversations, food and drinks. Looking down I felt like I am privy to something special and then it hits me..this is life in Spain. It is the end of the day (10:30 p.m. to be exact) and people are sharing their thoughts; expressing opinions and most of all sharing a bond of love and companionship over a few drinks and food. It doesn't matter what age you are. I see babies in carriages to cherish grandparents all sharing the night together. The market Pt 2.  I thought about going down but I just assume to sit here and take it all in. Somehow my feelings of being alone have given way to sheer joy. I feel blessed to see this interaction first hand. I hope my year here will allow me to one day be a part of it all. Until then, I raise my glass from above and toast..here's to you Malaga, specifically the working class barrio of Huelin. Thanks for letting me know I made the right choice.

p.s. thanks Yinzer for the encouragement! and your post rock.

I'm here

Well I made it with my sanity intact (I think). Spent a week in Sevilla, what a charming city, and now I'm in my new home...Malaga. What can I say, it may not have the grand dame persona of Sevilla but I like it! I feel comfortable walking the streets and most importantly I haven't gotten lost nearly as many times.
Currently, I'm on the mad hunt for apartments. I have two appointments that I set up before I arrived, so I feel like I'm a bit ahead of the eight ball. They are in two completly different areas so it will be quite interesting to see which side of my personality wins... laid back beach Chris or go get 'em city Christine. Either way I think I'll be a winner. I'm in Malaga and so far all is right with the world.

8 and counting....

Well a lot has happened since I last wrote. I said adios to my job (took a yr leave) and endless good bye celebrations with family and friends. I must admit, I dreamed for this day to come but now that it is around the corner, I'm feeling a bit numb. I feel like I have so much I am leaving unsettled.
I'm sure part of the reason I'm feeling this way is that my second set of FBI prints just came (talk about down to the wire). Luckily my brother lives near the Apostille office in metro DC where I need that damn stamp.
We celebrated getting that pesky thing the only way this chica knows how..food and vino! Big thanks to my brother for everything.

Flash forward to this morning...I woke up with that same numb feeling. What the hell do I do now? I'm walking in circles in my apt. Haven't packed a thing but have a mean list of stuff to pack.  I thought crossed my mind....I'll clean out my fridge and cupboards of stuff, umm that sounded good but I just ended up making coffee and staring at the fridge and cupboards. Is this my sub-conscious saying your not ready to fly the coop just yet??? Pre-departure jitters?
8 days and counting, we shall see.......