Two birds one stone

This is somewhat of a sad post as I'm feeling right now that my blog has come to a complete standstill at the moment but I feel the need to explain why. Some of you will already know this (most likely because of my attention seeking Facebook status) but I got my beautiful little iPhone NICKED during a lovely weekend with my sister, but for full dramatic effect I'm going to tell the story one more time in the hope it might also save someone else from suffering the same dreadful fate!

So there we were, sitting outside the Reina Sofia, basking in a ray of sunlight, something which has been few and far between of late, when we were approached by two hombres asking for money. This is a regular occurrence in Madrid, though is especially annoying when you're sitting in a restaurant enjoying your lunch! They did the usual trick of handing us a piece of paper with their sad story on but, knowing full well we had been targeted for our English voices and touristy feats, we firmly said no. These pesky hombres were persistent though and simply would not leave, my sister, being the braver of the two of us, employed the use of an icy glare whilst I sat trying my best to avoid eye contact. Still persistent in their quest for change one of them actually dropped the paper into our food at which point Lizzie's eyes almost popped out her head and we assumed that this was the reason he took his cue to leave.

Distressed by our experience we decided to leave the cafe and head into the museum and after waiting in line and going through security we proceeded happily into one of the exhibition rooms. With me having the most technologically advanced mobile phone of the two, Lizzie asked if I could write some artists names in my notes and send them to her later but when I went to do so my heart sank as I searched frantically for my better half to no avail. I ran back to security hoping it had got lost in the security scanner, as my bag had ddecided to do a roly poly on it's way through but I was told no and sent to Lost Property. Coming from a line of women who don't do well under pressure and who panic A LOT we ended up running in and out of the museum like headless chickens, resulting in us having to go through security no less than three times!

After it dawned on us that the last time I'd seen my phone was at the restaurant before we were approached we soon realised I'd fallen victim to the Spanish Mafia. I was a bit down but like a trooper I carried on with my day determined not to let it be spoilt by this.

The next day we went to the Police station to report the crime (so I can hopefully claim it on my insurance) which we presumed would be a long and tedious process but was actually made much more interesting by the fact Spanish police look like they've stepped out of an Arnold Schwarzenegger action movie. England definitely cannot compare. As I explained what had happened my action man began to finish my sentences for me; while I'm almost sure this must mean we're soul mates it could also have something to do with the fact that I had been conned with the oldest trick in the book. My phone had clearly been on the table with my view of it obstructed by the dirty piece of paper the thief so generously placed on our dins! There is no other possible explanation because, as I'm sure my mother will agree, my phone does NOT leave my site ever and is, in fact, most of the time glued to my hand. 

So, fellow year abroaders please watch out for this trick because I honestly had no idea until about half an hour later! Anyway, going back to the start, this is the reason my blog has been so quiet of late; my trusty iPhone was the perfect blogging companion - always with me, ready for action, perfect for taking snaps of the sights. I will attempt to find some alternative as soon as possible but if you don't hear from me for a while it's probably because I think posts without pictures and like tea without biscuits...just not right!

It's disappointing this has happened right at the peak of my blogging game as I can proudly say I've finally reached over 1000 views so thank you for everyone reading and I hope you'll patiently stick around for more!

Donjuan x