Bajai Life Camp 17.06: Day 487
Far Home Bernabeu Hostel
Saturday October 6, 2018
Madrid, Spain
26.67% frustrated

I stayed in bed. I'm still in bed... but I've been trying to book a trip to Burgos via apps, but my credit cards are not working. Both of them... or should I say, neither of them... are working. They don't work to book transportation. They haven't been working to book travel... except for plane travel. So perhaps today I'll have to go to the station in person... again... to purchase my ticket. There's an attractive hotel in Burgos that I can afford. I just have to get there.

The terrace at the hostel. It's a nice spot hidden on a small street.

I did some neck exercises last night and now the ache is where I expect it.

Today I will have to go to Moncloa, get my tickets then I can, maybe book Burgos.

At this point, as always, I just have to relax and work around the blocks.

On the move. The card worked to top up my metro card. So it's not the card. Probably the authorization process.

The common area. Pretty nice and empty today.

This travel process is becoming complicated. Although, even if I could purchase tickets on line, I'd still have to find the station. It just seems like more of a hassle, because I'm hungry. I'm back to one meal a day and I haven't had it yet.

Universe continues to challenge me. Not only am I unable to purchase tickets online, but when I get to the station the longest and only line is the ALSA bus. (*Note, Moncloa wasn't the correct station, so I went to the south station.) A testament to their popularity. However there's only one window open. A testament to their poor management. Additionally, the closer I get to the front of the line, the more chaos ensues. People who have arrived late wanted to jump the line. After waiting in line for all this the clerk doesn't speak English and sends me to a machine and the bus to Burgos leaves late and doesn't arrive until 03:00!!!

Challenge!!

I'm getting close to the point of being desperate. I don't like that feeling. I need to chill but I don't know my next move.

I seem to write the most when I have problems. Looking at this as a puzzle... it seems I can travel to Palencia by bus, stay a few days then travel to Burgos by train, stay a few days, then return to Madrid... leave on Tuesday. So let's see how that works out. I'll be doing last minute stuff.

Today has become a work day. Very much needed, however it's become so because Star won't be able to meet me. I'm not a priority. My ego feels bad about that, but it's the way it should be. She's not the one and neither is Ainhoa. The 3D puzzle pieces don't line up. I don't know why I try to fantasize this stuff.

Work day. Yikes!!! [Good before picture.]

My phone is fucking up on several levels. Is it two years old yet? Can I reset it? Can I buy another one while I'm here?

I'm almost finished with September updates. I'll eat. Maybe pull in the park.

I'm going to Palencia tomorrow. Just going to wing it.

This is a point where I have to admit to myself that I'm carrying too much fat on my body. I may have to take six months to really go full tilt and diet, lift, run and... jump rope... whatever. I need to make some serious improvements before I return to Madrid... (next year) and I haven't even left yet. This should be the A side of my life.

Also I'm wondering why I'm being so tight with the dollar. Damn... last year I booked a fifteen day cruise at the last minute. I flew from Singapore to London just because I liked Singapore Air. I budgeted to cross Russia at €1100.00! I just got my allowance. And I've been living free for eight days.

Whatever is going on with, within and around me, may be cosmic and out of my control... well obviously, out of my control. But I feel weird and shyt I think I want is not manifesting. However, it's probably not manifesting because I don't need it.

I devoured half a chicken for dinner. It was after 20:00... However, I've only had a salad and tea today. And the anxiety of indecision. I kind of like this neighborhood. It seems "working class," diverse, lively but not dangerous. It's kind of hood on the west side of the main commercial drag. If neighborhood's are named after the train station this would be, Estrecho. Maybe it's part of Tetuan.

My hosts may be Turks. The restaurant is El Estanbul... with an "E". The chicken was good. It melted off the bones..there weren't many bones. I'm happy to report I placed the order in Spanish. Even to the point of understanding the beer, Mahou, was not included in the platter and would be €1 mas. Beer is better than Coke. (My recent rum and Coke mixes notwithstanding.) A cup of tea is on the menu. It took me a moment and a bit of English to figure it out. My foundation of Spanish will be built on food.

It's always Mahou!!!

What next? Pack. Vitamin C, book a place in Palencia... maybe in the morning. It's more last minute.