A Day in Spain: A Day in the Life of Spaniard Jose Real

His Story, His World by Aubrey Tuggle

Hola! Mi nombre es Jose Real! (My name is Jose Real) That’s pronounced “hose-ay ray-all,” by the way. I live in Madrid, the capital of Spain. It is a very busy place with over five million people. That’s packed!

Another neat fact: While it often reaches 105 degrees here in Madrid, in the winter it often falls to below zero! According to the TV, however, it should only be about eighty-three degrees tomorrow. I’m on vacation, and I’d love it if you spent the day with me tomorrow. You will? Okay, see you bright and early!

Sabado (Saturday) 8:00 am – Time to wake up! Breakfast for me today will be a slice of fresh bread (bought yesterday at a local market) with butter and some coffee. I take it black, and it’s called cafe con nero. Don’t worry, I won’t get hungry with such a light breakfast because we Spaniards eat a lot of snacks.

8:30 am – I turn on the TV to watch an exciting and suspenseful game of soccer between Spain’s two primary teams: FC Barcelona and Real Madrid. Of course I am rooting for my home team. Go, Madrid! I will wear my cap with the team’s colors, white and blue, today.

9:30 am – Hit the Cafe Madrid for another cup of coffee and some polvoron cookies before heading to the Museo del Prado (art museum).

10:30 am – Well, here we are! The Prado Museum! It is very large.

1:30 pm – Boy, is it late! The museum was awesome. There were a lot of paintings by native artists, especially Velasquez and Goya.

2:00 pm – I stop by a little outdoor market to buy some fresh avocados. I will make fresh salsa soon!

1:45 pm – Home at last. It sure is hot! Excuse me while I take a siesta.

4:45 pm – Wakey, wakey! I’ll never make it ’til dinner, so I am going to dish up some omelets. Would you like some? Here is my special recipe from my Tia (aunt) Margarita.

Omelet Espanol

1/2 pint of olive oil
5 medium (40 oz each) baking potatoes, peeled, sliced and lightly sprinkled with salt
1/2 yellow onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
5 eggs
Salt

Heat the olive oil in a 9-inch skillet and add the potato slices carefully, because the salt will make the oil splatter. Try to keep the potato slices separated so they will not stick together. Cook, turning occasionally, over medium heat for 5 minutes. Add the onions and garlic and cook until the potatoes are tender. Drain into a colander, leaving about 3 tablespoons of oil in the skillet.

Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk the eggs with a pinch of salt. Add the potatoes, and stir to coat with the egg. Add the egg-coated potatoes to the very hot oil in the skillet, spreading them evenly to completely cover the base of the skillet. Lower the heat to medium and continue to cook, shaking the pan frequently, until mixture is half set.

Use a plate to cover the skillet and invert the omelet away from the hand holding the plate (so as not to burn your hand with any escaping oil). Add 1 tablespoon oil to the pan and slide the omelet back into the skillet on its uncooked side. Cook until completely set. Allow the omelet to cool, and then cut it into wedges. Season it with salt and sprinkle with lemon juice to taste (optional). Serve warm or at room temperature. Yummy!

6:00 pm – We’ll get a snack at the Balzac restaurant. You may have noticed that we passed it on our way to the Prado; it is quite near. I think I will order the tuna and tomato dish. It is very delicioso! We’ll make our way to that big market over there to hang out. Don’t worry, Spaniards usually stay up quite late. You will meet some “gypsies” there. They try to tell my fortune with Tarot cards, but I’m not superstitious! Most of these scarves and things you see hanging up are homemade, and they sure are pretty–Wait! Do I smell quesedillas cooking? I think they’re in that stall over there. Let’s get some!

7:30 pm – Dinner at La Monterrey (the mountain). There is a show with cowboys and flamenco dancers. Fun!

9:30 pm – Home at last, and time for bed. Thanks for spending the day with me!

About the Author: My name is Aubrey Tuggle, and I am a seventeen year old freshman. I am the oldest of three siblings under seven, so the house is never quiet! However, I still find time to pursue my hobbies of reading and writing. I would love to become a freelance writer, and am pursuing a writing career.