Pollution is bad.

Went for a walk today through the streets surrounding the area I stay in, I had a bill to pay and as you might remember I recently managed to block my account here by using the internet without really knowing what I was typing... yeah yeah you can laugh here I am an ICT expert and I screwed up - but it happens. Anyway decided not to take the chance and therefore had to visit the bank, the nearest bank thats open on a Satuday is in the Palatino Shopping centre so I strolled up there.(About 20 mins gentle uphill walking). Now although it was slightly overcast when I went out the sun soon came out and the walk was really enjoyable until the fumes and road dust got to the stage where I felt I was in a desert sand storm. In some places it made breathing almost a struggle and explains why you see so many people walking with little face masks on.

However back to the Bill, I had already tried to pay this at a local cash machine and failed so figured going to the Bank was the best idea. One of the really useful things about the main bills here is that they are all payable at cash machines Gas, Electric, Water and Telephone which makes paying so much easier. So I get to the bank and I queue quietly till I get to the desk where the bank clerk after a brief exchange of pleasantries tells me I can only pay the bill over the phone, by internet or through the cash points - now you may think my spanish is improving to understand all that but alas, though fortunately for me he spoke english. So out I went to their cash point not a 100% convinced it was going to work but low and behold I fed in the information requested pressed the right buttons and got a wee receipt telling me I had paid.
So thats all my bills paid for the month Phone £10 (Paid by school since it was for July and I didnt arrive till August) Gas (£5) and Electric (£4). I then went out and bought a new belt that literally cost the same as my Gas and Electric together makes you wonder!!

I also discovered that what pass for pedestrian crossings with a green man saying its safe to cross LIE step out at your own risk!!! unless there is a pretty lady at the side waiting to cross then the traffic will STOP, I have now started actively looking for pretty ladies at the sides of the roads - that way I can get across relatively safely. (Though how long before I get slapped for stalking or arrested for soliciting is open to debate.)

I mentioned at the start the sun was out .. I know because I now have a very red face and nose the result of the thinner atmosphere I expect though how it gets through the pollution is beyond me. Least its the weekend and by the time I go back to school on Monday I should look more like myself than a lobster! (Diana's boyfriend will no doubt appreciate this as he did something very similar a few weeks back - You'd have thought I would have learned from his experience but then again I'm also male and we always know better!!!)