As Vagabonds, we carry all the clothes we own with us. This is good and bad. If we were on a traditional vacation, we would pack a particular way from an array of clothes. However, to keep things light, literally and figuratively, we only own so many clothes, so on a three-week trip like the one we are currently on, we run out of clothes. For example, for pants in total, I own 3 long pants, 2 capris and 3 shorts, which is normally a good mix in the places we stay. However, the last days of the cruise (post last load of laundry I did on the ship) and our 3 days in Barcelona were definitely pants weather, so I ran out quickly. I also only own 3 pair of socks because I'm normally wearing sandals. So, I was suddenly also out of socks!
John was having similar issues, so we decided to take advantage of our transfer day morning, when nothing was planned, to try doing laundry. Fortunately, there was a laundromat just down the road, so we were up at 7:15 and to the laundromat by 7:45 (opening time 7 a.m.).
This place was very interesting, all automatic, with no one on staff. When we arrived, the door was open but no lights were on. Also, no soap or other supplies to buy, as this was all built into the price / machine. I felt the price was just a tad high, compared to Emily's Santa Barbara apartment and the cruise ship, but you have to pay what the market bears! There was a discount if one had the La Wash prepaid card.
Washer was €4,5, €5 if you wanted sanitizing of clothes (a remnant of COVID I suppose). "Detergent and softener included" was out interpretation of the note under the timer. Instructions say to put clothes in the washer and close the door, pay at the payment station, and return to select the cycle you want.
This is the payment machine, which says accepts the La Wash card, and Euro notes and coins. Next to it, one dryer for smaller load,
€2, and several for larger load, €3, both size for 15 minutes. The dryer listed three temperatures, which we assumed were in Celsius, but we weren't sure.
By the time we translated and figured out the strategy is was 7:54. Ok, clothes in the washer, time to put the money in the machine. But wait, what's happening? It wasn't accepting my euro note, nor letting me pick my machine. The machine said "Hora de Entien. 07:00." Starting time? But it was already almost 8 a.m. Time for Google translate. That wasn't any help, as the word was abbreviated. Then the light bulb went on. The past weekend had been daylight savings time change in Spain. Although someone came to open the door, no one adjusted the timer on the payment machine!
So, we waited 6 minutes and sure enough, 8 a.m., everything blinked on. I had to use a €10 as the washing cycle was so much. Change, of course, in €1 and 2 coins! That's okay, I can use it for the dryer. Washing started, John and I walked down to a cafe and got our coffee, which we needed by this point. Cafe americano for him and cappuccino for me, €3 total; I like that pricing better! Then back to the laundry.
Since we were trying to get done to meet Gerlyn for breakfast, we decided a 15 minute cycle in the smaller dryer at the highest heat might do the trick. Clothes in, back to the payment machine. I put in my 2 coin, nothing. Push the change return a bunch of times, it came back. Tried again with the 1 coin, no luck. Ok, another €10 note. Now I have a load of 1 and 2 coins. My purse is getting heavy!
We started the dryer, choosing the highest heat. At about two minutes, it shut off and had the "open the door" sign on. I opened, closed and restarted. Again. This happened multiple times, but now we are committed to this machine. When 3 minutes were left, I tried putting it on the lowest temperature setting, and it finally stopped. However, the clothes were still very wet, so we had to go another cycle. What a comedy of errors!
Switch machines, €3 more. Wait another 15 minutes, 'free' WiFi not working, did some exercises.
Pretty building across from the laundromat
Ding! Checked the clothes, still damp, but by now we really need to get to breakfast. So we brought all the clothes back to our room and spread them on the bed. After breakfast, while I was organizing for packing, John had clothes drying duty.
Fortunately, we had a nice big bed!
Whatever was still damp, I packed in a separate cube and plastic baggies, and we unpacked them to hang dry here in Madrid.
Even the smallest task can turn into an adventure and learning experience, and you just have to laugh! However, I'm glad our Palermo Airbnb has a washing machine!
Stands to reason it is pricier in a pricey hood in a touristy place. Thankful for your Spanish and yet... being in a mostly Spanish-speaking country, all bets are off in understanding practical matters rarely covered in lessons while living elsewhere. I have found that in my experiences as a fluent speaker always stumped by local jargon, slang, and acronyms! I don't have a dryer and in rainy months, I used to do the drying dance you both began and then John completed. For my last birthday, I gifted myself a laundry pickup and return service. BLISS.
ReplyDeleteGreat and true observation about jargon, slang, etc. "On the ground" is an adventure! I'm glad you treated yourself to the laundry service! We have free laundry service when we cruise on Carnival brand (loyalty status perk), and it is bliss.
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