After our eating fiasco in Lisbon, we gave ourselves permission to eat at the Hard Rock Cafe wherever we go. There is no shame in missing something familiar. When looking up the address on line the other day, I discovered that you can sign up for a reservation on the Internet. Naturally, I did. When we got to the restaurant (which is right by the Metro stop, very convenient) they had our name on their little list and we went right to our table.
Kaitlyn was excited to have macaroni and cheese. I was excited to have everyone speak to me in clear, precise English. They knew what they wanted to say and how to say it. How refreshing.
Once we were sufficiently stuffed, we took a stroll down Las Ramblas. Rick Steves describes it as a must. The first challenge was convincing Kaitlyn that every one of the souvenir stands had the same junk and that there’s no reason to stop and examine everything for sale at each and every one. Next we came across the street performers. She wanted to watch but was a little scared. So I was the one who had to go put coins in the buckets of the women dressed like fairies… who then waved their wands over my head as if that were magical. Kaitlyn liked it.
Then we came to the florists and pet shops. Immediately, Kaitlyn informed us (again) that she wants a pet. We reminded her that there will not be a pet in our home until we move back to the United States. Fine. She accepted that pretty easily. But convincing her not to buy a plant was frustratingly difficult. Finally, Bill acquiesced and bought her this, uh, thing. It’s kinda like a Chia Pet. It’s a head you put in water then after you wait an unspecified amount of time, grass sprouts out of its head. The box showed the grass tied up in bows. Kaitlyn is now convinced she’ll be able to style this thing’s hair like a princess. Oh, I cannot wait!