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Las Ventas
Once again we barely made the noon check-out at the hotel. Having arrived around midnight last night in the city of Zaragoza, we were quite tired today. Anyway, we got on the road and continued north toward Pamplona.
Siesta
Today we finally came to understand the difference the siesta schedule makes. We arrived in Pamplona around two, which is the beginning of the siesta time. Most shops post their hours as 9-1:30 and then 4:30-8 or some similar schedule. The local people of course are accustomed to this schedule, so nobody is out walking in the afternoon. Plus, today was the first World Cup match for Spain, so perhaps everyone was home watching the game. After wandering the deserted streets for a bit, we found a cafeteria that was open.
Cultural Understanding
Getting along in another country is not always easy. Midori and Yai general just try to use English with people which often causes confusion. Then I have to come in and straighten things out. We have gotten in a few arguments because of this. Anyway, I do speak a little Spanish, so generally things are okay. The waiter today, though, had no intention to try to understand my bad Spanish. As soon as I asked about today's special, he was asking me "How do you expect me to explain it to you?" He walked away in search of someone who could speak English. Next the bartender comes over and proceeds to explain things in simple Spanish. He would throw in a couple English words like chicken or fish, but generally I can understand stuff if people make an effort. Anyway, we watched the soccer match on TV as we chatted in Japanese. After we paid I thanked both men saying "Gracias por su paciencia" and I hoped that they would be more understanding with foreigners in the future.
Multicines Olites
Outside the siesta seemed to be coming to an end as people came out for a Saturday evening stroll. Five o'clock. We asked a couple girls where we might find a movie theater. After a little thought (perhaps they were wondering how we might understand the movie in Spanish) they pointed us in the right direction. After surveying the schedule of Spanish, American, and French movies we chose one that looked good. We had to walk a ways to the Multicines Olite in order to find the right screen. Despite the fact that I could not pronounce the title, we were able to get three tickets for a funny French movie (dubbed into Spanish) about a wedding gone bad. Between the shooting, car wrecks, yelling, and laughing, the movie seemed more American than anything else, but we were happy with our little bit of European culture. Afterward I tried to explain the parts that I explained, but in general it was just funny in any language.
Pyrennes
After we got back on the road, I realized that we were once again quite close to France. We entered the green foothills of the Pyrennes and relived our winding mountain adventure of a few days prior. Around eight we pulled into a mountain hotel just short of the coast. It was a quiet place and we seemed to be the first customers for the night. At the restaurant downstairs we ordered the menu of the day and then turned in early.
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