That’s in Spain, for those of you who are keeping track….
So I’ve got a ton of downloads that I need to get to update my computer software, right? Well, the signal on the ship moves at the speed of smell, so that’s really not ever an option.
So we hop off the ship when we can to find free WiFi (which in Europe is pronounced “wee fee” which is hard to say to another adult with a straight face, frankly) and upload stuff, or download music or whatever suits our fancy.
Here’s the game. They have wifi, but you’re expected to buy something to sit there. So often times, depending on the length of time you need or how thirsty you are, the free wifi can turn into a $14 afternoon or more. So much for free.
Tried two times today. Ordered a beer and sat down and tried to get on line, to no avail. So I finished my beer and left. Only after that was I told there was a square nearby with the city’s free wifi signal.
Nice.
Problem is, signal was nearly as slow as on the ship, so afternoon spent walking around an ancient city where I should have been appreciating the history and medieval beauty was spent at a cafe limping along a computer trying to get an update that came out the month after I left the states, 4 months ago. Oh well….
So I’m sitting there feeling sorry for myself about the connection speed, and I look up. I’m at a cafe table under an umbrella in a piaza that’s covered by trees. There is a 15 meter statue at the center of the little urban park. Birds, sunshine and kids running around blowing on plastic horns. (Just the kids were blowing on the plastic horns. Birds don’t have lips, come to find out.) Dogs are play chasing each other, and a young couple are cooing over their 5 month old girl at a couple tables down from me while they try to get her to eat. But the day is far too interesting for her – she’s all about the other kids and running and pigeons walking around under their table looking for scraps, while her parents are doing the new parent thing of saying, “Ola” with their eyes wide and big toothy grins to get her to smile or respond. Really cute and beautiful.
Oh, and I have a sangria. All in all, a pretty cool day after all.
Try to see the beauty around you. That’s what I’d do.
