Flathunting

I lie through my teeth and tell the woman on the phone that I'm a university professor, here in Madrid on sabbatical. I have a lot of money, but am currently without a job. I am rich. I need a flat. These are the things I let her think, things that I casually let drop. I am willing to pay a deposit. I am a nice foreigner. My hopes begin to fly high after disastrous days of searching for apartments with no luck.

My friends, who until now had provided me with very sound advice, told me to walk along the streets and look for FOR RENT signs, and then ask the doorman if he can provide me with any information. Some doorman aren't very friendly, and some apartments aren't worth the effort expended to speak to the grumpy doorman; none of this is information that you know, however, upon approaching said doorman. My first day looking for apartments, I was discouraged and my feet ached. Yesterday I began my search somewhat later in the day, resolved to not get bogged down in mires of disappointment; although nothing came out of all the places I called, I felt much more refreshed. iPedro crooned only the happiest of songs to me as I walked along the street, and the want ads in my hand disappeared, no longer important, as an afternoon shower began to fall about Madrid. The sun was still shining. Rainbows splashed up at me as people went streaming by. Suddenly, being in Madrid wasn't as daunting as it had been for the past few days, nor so deathly serious. I'll find an apartment. My phone, even though I do believe that I hate it, serves its function -- for the time being. I must confess, after my Zen Buddhist philosophy on buying a phone, that I'm considering having it kidnapped and "dealt with."

In approximately 1.5 hours I check out my first apartment, which I'm deeply considering taking after a very perfunctory and very quick run-through. I really don't feel up to another day of pretend looking. I'd much rather be in my apartment buying fun stuff than looking for one, waiting for my adventures in Spain to truly begin. So right now I'm putting on my best outfit, my oh-so academic glasses, and placing a red pen behind my ear: the professor on the prowl for his Spanish dwelling.