Damnation of the Doors

20 December 2009
When one thinks of opening a door turning the key in one direction and pushing outwards comes to mind.
NOT in Spain! In central Seville the doors are Louis XVI era while the locks are of state of the art, ultra modern type. Those two polar opposites combined with rusty keys equals a plethora of problems. Apparently, you have to first pull the doors towards you, insert the key only 3/4 of the way, turn it in-out-in ever so slightly until the key turns and then instead of pushing the door you pull. Phew, there!
This sounds complicated in general, imagine doing it at 3 o'clock in the morning after 2 hours of dancing at a house gathering, feeling tired and light headed (and I don't even drink) with pins and needles in you feet from wearing high heels. As one might guess, my Pandora Box opening didn't quite go to plan as the rust on the key got glued to the inside of the lock, unable to go in either direction or get out. So, as my last resort I rung a random bell, heard footsteps approaching, and a profound voice: it's OK just get the key out I'll open!" Me:"As if that's possible!" Pushing the doors with all my energy, and pulling in the key, I blinked suddenly and found myself flying through the door cartoon style from the force of the pull and grabbing someone's arm for dear life! Lifting my head to apologize I encountered a smiling, perfectly proportionate face with hazel puppy eyes, pouting, smiling lips and a stray wave of jet black hair across the forehead.My expression: :) (for being clumsy) and then :) you can guess why. Of course, I apologized thrice over (in a variety of languages) due to causing inconvenience and was met with a typically andaluz "no problema". I love this place! Spaniards are owl people anyway with streets full up at 12 pm on a Wednesday. Entering my room I quickly reflected upon the episode thinking why does it always rain on me? :) Whenever I encounter a handsome face I am either wearing black from head to toe :) (very rare), am soaked to the skin with my dress clinging onto me, hair disheveled :) or am almost falling over at 3 in the morning! :) indeed!