Those of you who check in regularly may have noticed a heretofore unexplained flurry of blogging activity this month. This spate of productivity is the result of Telefonica (after weeks of struggle) finally reconnecting my internet and telephone, thereby giving me unimpeded access to the blogging world.
I'm afraid I can't blame Telefonica for disconnecting my service in the first place. There may have been a bill or two that went astray, if you know what I mean. I'm lucky they reconnected me as quickly as they did.
In any event, my dealings with Telefonica, though ultimately successful, once again reminded me that I'm no master of the language. Here's a roughly translated excerpt of part of the conversation--I'm embarrassed to say, I'm embellishing not at all:
Alright, I've requested that your line be reconnected, but you need to go to the post office right away to pay the outstanding bill.
How do I get in touch with this “post office”?
Well, you have to go to it.
This is a Telefonica department, this post office?
No, it has nothing to do with Telefonica. It’s, you know, the post office.
What do you mean “post" office?
You know, the post office, the place you go to send things by mail.
Oh. Well, where do you find this "post" office?
Well, there are many of them. You can go to any one.
I see. It’s the city’s "post" office?
Well, I suppose. You know, it’s the post, where you mail things, packages, letters, you know.
Oh, I see, the POST office. Why didn’t you just say so?
...
So, what can I tell you? Between meals and trips to the market, life's a struggle. Fortunately, it's mostly a struggle for those who have to deal with me, but a struggle nonetheless.
*Although the post office box pictured above is located in Madrid, apparently this same "post" office has also placed such boxes all over Barcelona.
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