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“Mom, can you sign this paper, quick, before you leave?” (as I walk out the door hurriedly to make a flight for which I am already running behind)
“Mom, I need a poster for a project tomorrow!” (while stores are closing in 10 minutes)
We’ve all been there…moms and dads. Our children all seem to catch us at the last minute, while we have about thirty things going on, when what they are asking for should have and could have been taken care of previously when we had more time to do it.
The night before my Madrid trip, there were about ten things on my list that needed to be taken care of…planning my visit to the Monastery de las Descalzas Reales during my Madrid layover, packing, cooking dinner, finishing up a blog post, ordering new uniforms…just to name a few. I am accustomed to my children accosting me with these requests, but here was my husband…
“I need a head and shoulders shot done for tomorrow.” Sensing that he was asking me to do it for him, I actually pretended not to hear since I was in the middle of simultaneously ordering uniform pieces and cooking dinner.
After dinner, sitting behind my computer upstairs (where I had gone to hide and finish up some work), my husband came into the office and said once again, “I need a head and shoulders shot done for tomorrow.” Me. “I really don’t have time right now.” Him. “It will only take two minutes.” Me. “Nothing takes two minutes.” Him. “Fine, I’ll take a selfie!” Me. “What exactly is this for?” Him. “My company’s website. Never mind. I’ll do it myself.” (as he storms off)
Frustrated, I went to get my camera, which required unpacking everything in my tote bag (which was all packed for work the next day). Trying out a few backgrounds, we began to have a difficult time with lighting. Finally, after we thought that we had a picture that would be appropriate, he flippantly said, “Okay, just send that wirelessly from your camera to my phone.” Well, in theory, that would have been the way to go, but in actuality, I haven’t had the time to figure out that function yet. So, in order to get to his picture, I was going to have to insert the SD card into my computer, which would then begin to download approximately 1500 photos, which I really hadn’t wanted to do. So, by now, you’ve probably guessed, we are way beyond two minutes.
He then suggests, while the 1500 photos are being downloaded to my computer, that we try a couple of photos on his iPhone. So, after another ten minutes, this is completed and I’ve edited them to his liking. Wouldn’t you know…”I think I’ll use one of these from the iPhone…I like these better.” (while my computer is still downloading photos…hrmph!)
Off I go, to repack my camera and everything else back into my tote bag.
Arriving in Madrid, I found the weather to be not optimum. A little rainy and dreary, but always having an umbrella, I decided that the Monastery was still on my to do list for that day. As I would be visiting, I would be inside, after all.
Navigating my way through the subway system, I finally arrived at the Sol metro stop. Making a pit stop at the Pandora store, I then glanced at my map and turned the corner, knowing that I was heading in the right direction for the monastery. As I turned the next corner, I stopped to take a quick picture of a doorway and statues that caught my eye and with a quick glance to the right, I noticed people lining up to another doorway. Oh! The Monastery…that was easy. Glancing at my watch, I noticed that it did not open for 20 minutes. I snapped a few pictures and then took a look at my camera screen to see what I had captured…no pictures! Gasp! I realized that my SD card was still sitting in my computer…at home!
Frantically, I glanced around, looking for a store that might sell SD cards. I ran back to Calle de Preciados, remembering a FNAC on the corner near the Pandora store. Instructed by an associate to go to the bottom level, I found an SD card, paid for it and ran back to Monastery de las Descalzas Reales and took my place in the line, breathing a sigh of relief. It was exactly four o’clock and the monastery was just opening.
The line began to move forward and suddenly, I had a thought. What if there is a capacity limit? Oh, no, there aren’t that many people here in this line, I thought, but the idea implanted itself in my head and I began to worry (possibly because in my research I had read this tidbit of information?). The line continued to move forward and I began to get excited for my visit. After a couple more minutes, I noticed the two people that had just stepped into the doorway, exit and walk down the sidewalk. The next two people did the same. Oh no! The couple in front of me was turned away as well. Realizing what was happening, I hoped that maybe since I was a party of one, I could talk my way in.
Mustering my courage, I stepped into the doorway and was told that the capacity for the afternoon had been reached. “Not even for one person?” I almost begged. “No senora, es completo. Come back tomorrow.”
I cannot write the names that I called my husband that minute! Had he not asked me to take those picture for him, I would have never taken the SD card out of my camera, I would have been in the line 20 minutes sooner and would have currently been inside of the Monastery, admiring religious artifacts. Finally, I calmed down, took a breath and realized that it is me and only me who is responsible for my camera equipment. Next time, I will check (and double check) that batteries are charged and SD cards are present!
As I sat on the little stone wall, I took a moment, and glanced around realizing that the rain had stopped and the sun was peeking out from behind the clouds. I admired the architecture of the monastery and the beauty of the plaza around me. Reaching into the bag, I pulled out my map and moved on to plan B. I may have not had a SD card, but when it comes to sightseeing, I always have Plan B…and Plan C…and sometimes Plan D!!!
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Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales
- http://www.patrimonionacional.es/en/real-sitio/monasterios/8291
- Hours: Tuesday-Saturday: 10:00-14:00 and 16:00-18:30, Sundays and public holidays: 10:00-15:00, closed Mondays
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Admission: €6
- Address: Plaza de las Descalzas, s/n, 28013 Madrid, Spain
- Line 3, 25, 39 and 148 Station: Ópera. Lines 2, 5 and Ramal Ópera-Príncipe Pío