Written By: Michael Sandoval

The Thanks I

Give P.II

“No Pressure, No Diamonds”

The smell of rich toasted oak permeated the valley (El Valle). Strands of grayish smoke coiled and danced as if they were excited to escape the blistering sea of flames that it had once come from. It lingered around for hours and days ready to greet whoever opened the front door seeking to smell the essence of the earth during the start of these winter months. In the distance you could see the country men of Spain managing the crackling blaze of wood determined to maintain control of its living characteristics. This was a smell that I could never get tired of and one that depicted a moment in time when I continued to reflect on my journey within the last few years.

The next challenge was underway! I continued the process of applying for my Residence and was told that this portion would be a lot easier and straight forward. I gave my trust and faith to the people that were supporting me in the process and although it was certainly a lot less stressful, it took a lot longer than anticipated. My Notary appointment was scheduled one hour before the arrangement with foreign agency office in Granada. I was delivering the documentation so that my Residence card could finally begin to be processed federally. Upon arriving to the Notary I realized that the door was closed. I waited and waited and as the gap for my appointment started to close, I began to get nervous. The Notary office was 30 minutes late and it was taking all of my internal decency to be patient and calm. I kindly asked if we could speed the process, and with luck they showed a great deal of efficiency. I rushed to the needed appointment and was fortunate that it was positioned directly across the street. I stood in line full of eager foreigners all waiting to pass though the metal detector. The experience resembled that of thirty individuals running behind on the way to an international airport but with no choice but to charge forward at full steam in efforts to catch a flight. The tension was high as everything amplified around me. It felt as though a volcanic mountain was ready to erupt. I finally saw a ray of light in the distance as I caught a glimpse of the pearl white reception desk that housed an agent  herding us all to our final destination. I approached the desk and provided her with my documents after pulling the notorious federal office ticket number from the counter machine. She skimmed though the paper work and asked if I had the receipt… Receipt I ask? “Our office requires you to pay for the submission of these documents at a bank. You must provide the receipt upon the delivery of the paperwork”. I think I may have gone numb. There was no sound in the room yet everything around me was rapidly moving and as I watched the agent’s lips in action I realized that I couldn’t hear her. I came to my senses and told her that my appointment was in two minutes. She looked at me with zero concern. I was hoping that she would provide me with an expression or gesture that could help lift the terrible burden of my worry but that was not the case. I had to RUN! I stormed directly through the crowd with minimal effort and as they could feel my aggression, they parted like the Northern end of the Red Sea. I griped my laptop bag tightly as my dress shoes clattered against the pavement performing a cadence of sounds that would be adequate for any marching bands drumline. As droplets of sweat were running down my face I caught my breath and guided the bank attendant through what I needed. She noticed my uncertain nervousness and helped me directly. With one foot out the door I thanked the teller and began sprinting back to see what would become of my scheduled engagement. I got through the line and then security with ease and provided the administrator with my receipt. She reminded me of the need for a number and placed it in my hand. My heart rate began beat normally for the first time of the entire morning. The adrenaline still encompassed my body so I stood with my back against the wall taking deep breaths as a building full of people watched me with curiosity. The eventful morning was finished with the acceptance of the documents. I would have to wait another two months to receive my Spanish Residence card.  

I was truly humbled by the experiences that took place in the two years that it took to finally attain my residence. I was excited about accomplishing yet another milestone and was once again THANKFUL to  have the opportunity to fight against the challenges that were in store….

Searching for a property….

Stay posted for The next episode of The Thanks I Give