Bus Riding Adventures

 Yesterday was sunny and warm with a high of 24C. This morning it is sunny and 16C. Today will be sunny until later this afternoon when we will get rain. The high is supposed to be 24C. 

Yesterday was another adventure for us. We went out in the morning on a long Uber ride to China Market. Part of the drive was along the Rambla. The Rambla is a 4 lane highway that goes along the ocean for many miles and keeps traffic flowing. We went through some lovely residential area also. 

China Market was an interesting store. Very much like dollar stores but huge in size. There was no food but a huge variety of items imported from China. We walked the whole store and got a few things we needed for the apartment. It was an experience that we enjoyed but may not go back there unless we need something and then we will do a store that is closer to us. 

Once home, we grabbed a snack and set out to catch the bus. I will have to say the odds were against us. Grandson sent us maps with what bus to catch to the shopping center. We went to the wrong bus stop and caught the wrong bus. I didn't hear to get off at one stop so we rode for quite a while. When we tried to get off the bus, the driver didn't open the door. We drove further into an area we didn't know about. We finally got off the bus and walked across the street to catch another bus. When we got on and showed our ticket we were told we had to pay again. We had paid cash for our ticket thinking we had an hour in which to transfer buses. Boy were we confused. The driver was so nice he let us ride for free. He took us to the shopping mall and explained to us that we needed to get a bus pass. 

The mall we went to is very unique. The building use to be a prison. Instead of tearing it down, it was renovated into a really shopping mall. 

We met grandson at the mall and went to eat. We found a table and grandson decided to order him and daughter-in-law lunch. I followed along behind and I missed the step down to the area where you order your food. I went down on my right knee and hand the hardest. I'm bruised. I got up and ordered my food and ate. I felt really dumb - my pride was bruised as much as my body. 

After eating lunch, we wandered the mall. We looked into a soccer jersey shop, into JYSK and bought tea towels. We sat on the beds and it brought back memories of how nice the beds were in Denmark. I would buy one in a minute. Another store we went into was Mano de Uruguay. This store sells item made by rural women of Uruguay. Their work is beautiful and their yarn is so soft. After a bit more snooping, I sat and waited for daughter-in-law and grandson go to the camping store and then they found a big grocery store. The wrong move on my part as I started to stiffen up and hurt. 

We bought and loaded our bus passes and headed home. I was sore enough that I laid on the bed and stretched my muscles. It helped even though they rebelled and wanted to cramp up on me. 

Son wanted to get out of the apartment and walk to a hamburger restaurant for dinner. He had been inside for 2 days working so off we went. We walked 5 blocks and had the best hamburgers I've ever had. We are going to learn how to make smash burgers when we get home. 

After eating, we walked another 3 blocks to Avendia Brasil which is a busy street. We then walked back towards the ocean and home. It was perfect weather for walking. At a corner we saw a flower stand and the flowers were gorgeous. 

I love Gerber daisies and these were beautiful ones. At 8 pm they were still fresh. I had seen a couple of people carrying bouquets of them and figure they were bought at this little stand. 

We also saw a McDonalds and this one had a drive thru. I had to take a picture of the sign as it isn't what I had expected. 

We ended our walk back at the apartment. It was a lovely walk and my muscles stopped hurting part way through the walk. They needed the exercise to get them back in shape. 

This morning I discovered I have a lovely bruise on my knee and I have a sore spot. It could be a muscle that is sore as my SI joint seems okay. I will be okay in a few days and will keep walking as much as I can. 

I am not sure of our plans today. We have to do our exploring this morning as this afternoon will be wet and then windy. I am sure our day won't include bus rides into unknown areas of the city or me falling down. 

Until the next time................................................................