Alright. This whole global wi-fi thing? Doesn't exist. At least, not for me. Not in Valencia. I walked around Valencia searching high and low for wifi ("wee fee") hotspots for two hours before finally calling a truce. I even did something I never, EVER do. Yes, I went into a McDonald's. Wonders never cease. Yes, I was that desperate. As it turns out, my server doesn't play well with others, so although I was getting free wi-fi, my computer turned it's nose up at it. But enough about Valencia and it's tech woes. I've now moved onto MADRID.
I arrived early yesterday evening via train. By the way, you can't take the train directly from Valencia Norde to Madrid. Nope. You've got to take a bus to another train station. The bus I was to take didn't arrive until 12:40 in the afternoon. So I had two hours to kill with my 26 pound rucksack. Since my previously jail broken iPhone was mysteriously now not jail broken, I hunted around for someone to break it for me again. I had it on good authourity (the nice lady at the Orange store) that there was a place in Chinatown, rig next to the station, who would untether it for me. Well, I found the place. She eyed it suspiciously then let me know that she didn't do version 4.1. My phone and I had been summarily dismissed.
Once I arrived in Madrid, I had no way of contacting my hostess. Luckily, I found an Internet shop near the station. No wi-fi or Internet in the station, and if you ask about it, you get your head handed to you. Too tired to navigate the metro since I've managed to pick up a sore throat and a small cough by now, I caved and took a taxi. My hostess immediately points out the obvious, like so many others, "You are so tall!" yes. Yes, I am. I no longer take offense. She's a little spitfire of about 5'2". She then said in lower tones, "We have a problem. Come with me." I didn't like the sound of that. We proceeded to climb the four flights of narrow stairs. A rat infestation perhaps? Death in the family? No. The landlord just found out she'd been hosting people in her flat on and off for the last 3 weeks and he was none too pleased about it. She'd been evicted. She felt dreadful. I felt dreadful for her. She already had an old friend with her to keep her spirits up. I suggested we all go out, have a bit of wine and talk about options. Will share with you what happened in my next installment. I've got a screenplay to write.
