It’s Sunday.  I like to call this “quiet day” because it is a quiet day.  There are fewer busses running and people remain indoors later so there is no real activity in the streets. The hustle and bustle of weekdays and, even Saturday, is significantly diminished. In Spain, Sunday truly is a day of rest.  Most of the shops are closed.  One or two rare markets (atheists?) are open for some limited hours and sell anything – including beer, wine and liquor.  Lidl, the large low-price grocery store, displays a massive sign over their front door touting “domingos abiertos”.  Capitalism at its best.   

We are being lazy.  We had a slow morning and a late breakfast.  We are just lounging around each doing our own thing.  Probably because it is Sunday and the feeling of relaxation all around us is affecting our own state of being.   Allita is playing “Adapted Mind” on her iPad, Mom is packing and unpacking suitcases out of sheer boredom and I am online, as usual, diligently looking for a rental.

I was hopeful – no, more than hopeful, more like confident – that we could find a long-term residence that was suitable within the first two weeks of our arrival.  Even partnered with an agent and looking online ourselves at all hours of the day, we have not been successful.  Most likely it is our criteria that are limiting us.  We must have a place that:

1. accepts pets, 

2. has a terrace or garden (some place for us to go outside), 

3. has a fully furnished kitchen, 

4. has ac/heat

5. is in a location that ranges from slightly below the Avinguda Diagonal in Les Corts, Esquerra, or Eixample to slightly above the Avinguada Diagonal in Pedrables, Les Tres Torres or St. Gervasi.  It’s a large enough range in terms of location and there appear to be a significant number of rental in this area.  

6. is within our price range, and 

7. finally, is somewhat furnished.

We agree that we would prefer not to fully furnish a place.  We are willing to purchase some furniture but the issue with how to get rid of it in a year or two remains unresolved.  Also, depending on the size of the furniture, we may need assistance getting it delivered.  For example, a double mattress can’t come up via elevator as it won’t fit.  Who will lug it up 6 floors of stairs?!?  Maybe it has to be raised from outside and come in the slider on the terrace?  We have certainly witnessed the delivery of goods in this manner as we have traversed the city in recent days.  

We have presented a written (email) “proposal” to the owner of one small 2 bedroom that we like which meets nearly all of our criteria.  The only question is will he/she allow pets.  We hope to hear a response from our proposal on Monday.  In the event the response is not received or it is negative, we have continued our search through the weekend.  I have identified a place that is a little less attractive but still meets all the criteria and we have an appointment at 1730 on Monday to meet the owner.  I have also emailed our agent to remind her that we want to view alternative rentals tomorrow and all next week.  Time is running, as my German friends say.  

What’s the hurry?  Well, we have resident visas and they are good for 90 days; however, we must register within the first 30 days of our arrival with city hall.  We need a residence in order to know which city hall with whom to register.  Once we register, we will apply for NIE cards.  Those cards are required to open a bank account.  We can make the initial payment to secure the rental (deposit of 3 months and 10% of the total annual rental agreement is the initial payment!) using any form of payment we have, but subsequent rent payments must be direct draft from our bank account.  Which we can’t open without a NIE card, which we can’t get without going to city hall, which we can’t identify without a residence, which we can’t pay for beyond the deposit because we don’t have a bank account. So, you see, there is a process and a timeline (a.k.a. vicious cycle).  Thus, the push to secure a home.  

In addition to all that, I am weary of living out of suitcases.  Eventually, today, we will do laundry in actual machines (versus the bathroom sink).  We will wash the few clothes that we unpacked so that we don’t have to unpack any more.  We found a local laundromat and figured out how to use it.  Huzzah!  Now we just need to shlep all our belongings across town to the machines and get the process started.  

The best part about the “La Wash” facility is the location.  It’s not near where we are living.  It’s nearby a playground where Allita will be entertained (pictured Castelldefels) and a bar with outdoor tables that present a strategic view of the washing machines, where Mom and I will be entertained.  All while our clothes do their own thing.  For the first time in a very long time, I’m looking forward to doing chores.  

But for now, I’m going to kill a few more hours searching online for something that looks suitable and marginally attractive for long term.  It sounds a lot like online dating, actually.  You create filters and searches on various websites so you are notified of a “potential match” and in the meantime, when you are bored, you do your own web-surfing.  Then you find something and you reflect about the pros and cons.  Eventually, you work out a way to view your discovery in person.  You never know what the outcome will be and you are in combination nervous, sanguine, cautious and apprehensive.  I certainly hope my success rate in finding an apartment is superior, however.  YIKES!  Maybe I will see if the hotel can host us for another week or so…..