"The Paella Misadventure"

Our plane lands in Barcelona. My friend Armando is waiting at the airport.
‘Hi, Daniel!’ he says. He gives me a big hug. ‘I’m so happy you’re here!’
‘Hi, Armando! It’s great to see you!’ I reply.
Armando looks at my sister Julia. I introduce them. ‘Armando, my friend, this is my sister Julia.’
Armando turns to Julia. He kisses her on each cheek. ‘Hi, Julia. Pleased to meet you!’
My sister is very shy, especially when meeting new people.
‘Hello … Armando,’ she says, her face turning red. Then she goes quiet.
‘Your sister is really shy, isn’t she?’ Armando says, smiling.
‘Yes, but she’s lovely,’ I say.
A short while later, we head for Armando’s flat. We are staying there for the term. We take a taxi. After 30 minutes, we arrive in Barcelona center. The taxi costs 41 euros and 50 cents. Armando says it’s the usual rate. We pay and get out.
It’s a short walk to Armando’s flat. It’s June, and it’s very hot, but there’s a nice breeze to cool us down.
We arrive at the flat around lunchtime. My sister and I are really hungry.
‘Armando,’ I ask, ‘where can we eat?’
‘There are a couple of good restaurants nearby.’
‘What types of food do they serve?’
‘One has great paella, La Paella Loca. I highly recommend it. You can take the bus there. The other has lovely fish. It’s just next door.’
‘Julia, do you want paella?’ I ask.
‘Yes! I’m so hungry!’ she replies.
Armando can’t join us because he has to teach a class. So Julia and I head to the paella restaurant. We walk to the bus station.
‘Hmm … which bus goes to La Paella Loca?’ I ask Julia.
‘I don’t know … Let’s ask,’ she suggests, pointing to a man in a white shirt.
We walk over to him. He smiles. ‘Hello! Can I help you?’
‘Hi. How do we get to La Paella Loca restaurant?’ I ask.
‘It’s easy! The number 35 bus goes that way. It’ll take you right there. But there’s a small problem.’
‘What’s that?’ I ask.
‘The bus is usually packed at this time.’
‘OK, thanks!’ we say.
As we walk to the bus stop, Julia talks about not liking crowded buses. ‘Daniel,’ she says, ‘Let’s just eat at the fish restaurant. I don’t want to take a packed bus.’
‘I know …’ I say, then I have an idea. ‘Wait! I’ll take the bus to La Paella Loca, and you go to the fish restaurant.’
‘Why?’
‘That way we can compare both restaurants.’
‘Oh, good idea! OK, enjoy! I’ll call your mobile later,’ she says, walking off.
I get on the bus and sit down. I’m so tired, and I quickly fall asleep.
I wake up later. The bus has stopped, and the driver is the only one left.
‘Excuse me,’ I say. ‘Where are we?’
‘We’re in Valencia,’ he replies.
‘Valencia? How can this be?’ I exclaim.
‘This is the express bus from Barcelona to Valencia,’ he explains.
I can’t believe it. I took the wrong bus! But what can I do? I thank the driver and get off.
I try to call Julia, but my phone’s battery has died. It’s just after five in the afternoon. She must be worried. I need to contact her. I look around for a phone box.
I ask a woman on the street for directions. ‘There’s one over there,’ she says.
I thank her and head toward the phone box. But then I realize something. Julia’s phone number is in my phone’s memory. I can’t turn it on! Now I have a phone, but no number. What now?
I think for a while and realize I’m really hungry. I haven’t eaten since breakfast! I decide to find a restaurant and figure out the phone problem later.
I find a restaurant up the street. The waiter greets me. ‘Good evening!’
‘Good evening,’ I reply.
‘What would you like?’ he asks in Spanish.
I glance at the menu. ‘I’d like … paella?’ I say in Spanish.
‘Sorry? I didn’t understand,’ he replies in Spanish.
I try again. ‘Um … I’d like paella?’ I point to the menu. Then I repeat it in English.
Finally, the waiter smiles. ‘Thanks. I’m new here, and my Spanish isn’t great either!’
I laugh out loud. Everyone in the restaurant looks at me. I’m embarrassed but can’t help laughing. This situation is so strange! My sister and I wanted paella together, and now I’m eating it alone in Valencia, with her not knowing where I am. It’s ironic!
After dinner, I pay the bill. I begin to feel the weight of the situation. What should I do now? My mobile is dead, and I don’t have Julia’s number. Then I remember I can call my parents in London!
I go back to the phone box, dial their number, and it rings four times. Finally, Mum answers.
‘Hello?’
‘Hi, Mum. It’s Daniel.’
‘Daniel? How’s Barcelona?’
‘It’s good, but Mum, I have a problem.’
‘What’s wrong? Is everything okay?’
‘It’s fine. Can you call Julia, please? Tell her I’m in Valencia and that my phone’s dead.’
‘In Valencia? What are you doing there?’
‘It’s a long story, Mum. I’ll explain later.’
We say goodbye.
I decide to get a hotel room for the night. There’s one up the street. I’ll go back to Barcelona tomorrow. Right now, I need sleep.
I pay in cash, using money from my dad. I have no credit cards. I head to my room, undress, and climb into bed. I turn off the light and fall asleep. What a crazy day!