To Spend or Not to Spend

Yesterday I eventually figured out that even though my map wasn’t giving me directions, I appeared as a blue dot and I could track my progress. Until the cab driver, I was so far off the map from my destination I couldn’t even see myself.

And I realize that money is a protection. Had I the funds, I could have taken a nice safe cab. But I wouldn’t have had the adventure (even wracked as it was with visions of street sleeping and police stations.) With more money, I might have stayed in a safe, comfortable hotel with a helpful concierge to smooth my way. I wouldn’t have had the trouble and worry and exhaustion of yesterday.

But armor is not only protection, it is insulation. It keeps out things you might want to let in.

I saw what great care the Spanish take of their elderly, as I passed pair after pair of someone giving an older person their arm. I saw parents walking with their children, person after person walking their dog. And cars that actually SAW ME, a pedestrian. I felt respected by the traffic even though I was walking. In the USA the attitude is “Well, if you didn’t want to get hurt you should have been in a car like a sensible person.” That’s if they even realize they hit you. Drivers in the USA, or maybe Texas, more accurately, only see other drivers.

Anyway, back to money. Schwab did an override and released my funds early, but I still don’t have a lot. ( I can just get to the little I have.) And I can pay another $10 to be a little blue dot again. That will save a lot of the stress and worry. BUT I won’t be as willing to reach out for directions. Insulation as well as protection.

I think I’m going to do it though. Once I get to Pola de Allande I won’t be going much of anywhere, and I do have the money coming from the rental of the house.

So when I go to the Prado, today’s adventure, I will be a blue dot on a bus. It’s too far to walk and now that I can access more than four euros I’m comfortable spending the money. I just hope not to need a bathroom.