Stephanie Says

I'm a freelance writer living in Los Angeles Madrid. My favorite color is yellow. I'm completely partial to red wine and British sitcoms.

Also, "Stephanie Says" is a song by The Velvet Underground. If you have never heard of them before, I'm afraid I can't help you.

Follow me on Twitter or read my blog Ay Madrid.
spain:
I’m wearing my fingerless gloves as I type this. I can’t believe I thought 60s in LA was cold. Ignorance is bliss.I’m wearing my fingerless gloves as I type this. I can’t believe I thought 60s in LA was cold. Ignorance is bliss.

I’m wearing my fingerless gloves as I type this. I can’t believe I thought 60s in LA was cold. Ignorance is bliss.

I've given up

“Como te llamas?”

“Stephanie.”

“Como?”

“Stephanie.”

“Ah! Estefania!”

“Si.”

Things I've learned about Spain (and myself)

1. Bread is a food group.

2. Joder is a bad word. Mierda is not. Go figure.

3. It’s ok to be late sometimes.

4. Olive oil is always the secret ingredient.

5. I can become a Spanish citizen if I track down my great-grandfather’s birth certificate.

6. I have a newfound appreciation for my calves.

7. The mullet and rattail are alive and well in Spain.

8. I can count the number of times I’ve taken a siesta. The option is always there, but no one really has the time.

9. It’s creepy if a man calls out guapa as you walk by but if it’s coming from a man old enough to be your grandpa, hobbling about with a cane at Casa del Libro, it’s endearing.

10. Since cutting my hair so short, I muss it up when I’m nervous or embarrassed. It’s become a habit.

11. Nuns make me uncomfortable.

12. No, really. They do. And they’re EVERYWHERE.

I’m going to El Rastro this morning. If you’ve never heard of it, it’s basically a giant flea market in La Latina. You can find anything there (good place for souvenirs, especially fans) but I’ve learned to get there early (too many tourists after 11). I’m hoping to find a coat I saw there on my first visit. I also need a leather messenger bag. Cross your fingers everyone.I’m going to El Rastro this morning. If you’ve never heard of it, it’s basically a giant flea market in La Latina. You can find anything there (good place for souvenirs, especially fans) but I’ve learned to get there early (too many tourists after 11). I’m hoping to find a coat I saw there on my first visit. I also need a leather messenger bag. Cross your fingers everyone.

I’m going to El Rastro this morning. If you’ve never heard of it, it’s basically a giant flea market in La Latina. You can find anything there (good place for souvenirs, especially fans) but I’ve learned to get there early (too many tourists after 11).

I’m hoping to find a coat I saw there on my first visit. I also need a leather messenger bag. Cross your fingers everyone.

On being grown up

I’m having dinner on my couch. The TV is blaring, my wine glass is full and there’s a pile of dishes waiting for me in the sink.

I’m so happy.

I took this last month during La Noche en Blanco (or the White Night?). If I remember correctly, all the museums were free after 6 pm. I didn’t get in because of the long lines. I pretty much walked all of Madrid that night. I had just arrived so it was an awesome introduction to the city. Everyone was out that night and traffic was diverted off the main streets. I saw a naked man and a marching band. Both made me laugh. I loved the red letters of this cafe, which by the way, holds an International Night on Wednesday where foreigners can show up to converse and practice a foreign language. I need to brush up on my French so as soon as I lose the scary cough, I’m going to find this place again.I took this last month during La Noche en Blanco (or the White Night?). If I remember correctly, all the museums were free after 6 pm. I didn’t get in because of the long lines. I pretty much walked all of Madrid that night. I had just arrived so it was an awesome introduction to the city. Everyone was out that night and traffic was diverted off the main streets. I saw a naked man and a marching band. Both made me laugh. I loved the red letters of this cafe, which by the way, holds an International Night on Wednesday where foreigners can show up to converse and practice a foreign language. I need to brush up on my French so as soon as I lose the scary cough, I’m going to find this place again.

I took this last month during La Noche en Blanco (or the White Night?). If I remember correctly, all the museums were free after 6 pm. I didn’t get in because of the long lines.

I pretty much walked all of Madrid that night. I had just arrived so it was an awesome introduction to the city. Everyone was out that night and traffic was diverted off the main streets. I saw a naked man and a marching band. Both made me laugh.

I loved the red letters of this cafe, which by the way, holds an International Night on Wednesday where foreigners can show up to converse and practice a foreign language. I need to brush up on my French so as soon as I lose the scary cough, I’m going to find this place again.


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