Arrival in Madrid

Wow! Here I am, in Madrid. My flight got in at about 8am Madrid time, which was 2 am PA time. Needless to say, I am pretty tired. I took a quick 15 minute nap between breakfast and lunch, but I'm trying to stay awake until bedtime so that my jet-lag won't be too bad tomorrow.

Bruce Bundy picked me up at the airport and we drove to their apartment on the other side of Madrid, miraculously in very little traffic.

After dropping off me stuff, we went and bought some bread at a Chino--a little five and dime type shop, named for their tendency to be run by Chinese--and continued on to Josue and Mercy's apartment. Josue and Mercy are Merly Bundy's parents, and really incredible people. After eating, we sat in their living room and talked about what needs were currently being felt in the community. Then we prayed. It was really neat to listen to English and Spanish prayers, and encouraging when I could understand most of the Spanish ones.

We left and walked back to the Bundy's place, where I took a quick nap. About an hour after arriving back at the Bundy's, we walked back to Josue and Mercy's for a late lunch of fried plantains, peas and corn, and a delicious cuban meat and rice dish called "Ropa Vieja."

Those of you who know any Spanish will think it odd that a dish have a name which when translated means "old clothes." The etymology received for this was that the meat looks like old clothes that have been ripped up and stewed. Still an odd name for food, in my opinion.

We talked for a while after lunch, and then headed back in the late afternoon. Now I am just relaxing, updating my blog, and waiting for nighttime, when I can sleep!