From Biddy to Being a "Biddy"

9-13-15

7:20 AM Spain time

Hey, everyone!

(I’m writing this from Madrid’s airport, but I won’t be able to post until later.)

   Today (or yesterday, I suppose), I left my hometown of Peabody, fondly nicknamed ‘Biddy,’ and embarked on what everyone keeps calling “the adventure of a lifetime.” Well, I’m just saying, Barcelona had better live up to that because otherwise, well, . . . we’ll see . . . I’ve heard that the natives / locals call foreigners “biddies.” I was hoping to NOT be called a “biddy” until a lot later in life, but oh, well. I just hope they mean it less like the term “gringo” in Mexico and more like the term “shoobie” for a tourist in Rocket Power.

   It was strange saying the whole “Adios” to my parents. Of course, Angelabaglady was on the verge of tears, following the stereotype of protective Italian-American mom to a T. (Love you, Mom! And I wil miss your hugs, too.) And Dad was joking, making us feel better about the whole thing, telling me he was jealous and Ma that “There is no crying on Spain Day!” Leaving went by in a blur. I still kinda feel like I wasn’t there; maybe I watched it all happen from outside my body. Feels that way.

But, as I sit in this airport café, typing away to literally no one yet because I’d have to pay for Wifi, I find it really hard to imagine that I’m in a different country. NO. Really. Other than the fact that a LOT of people are speaking – get this: SPANISH around me (it’s like a convention that I wasn’t invited to), the signs are all in English! The café is called “Eating Point” with cheesy pics of people smiling at various dinner tables, saying “smile,” “eat,” “enjoy.” I’m not complaining: it’s clean and has sangwiches and water, so I’m all set. All the airport signs have English and Spanish, too. (Thank the airline gods!)

   Can’t wait to be done with my upcoming flight and be in Barcelona! Very excited to see the city, meet my new housemate & host family, and talk to other humanoids. (I’m a wee bit shy with my rusty, mediocre Spanish at the moment.)

I am . . . full of anticipation!