Un Domingo Cualquiera

I know it must seem like we're lazy over here, but when you think about it's the way it should be! All the stores are closed on Sundays. It's a true day to rest. Jose and I were talking about it over an Estrella Galicia in a bar given the name "42".




About a month ago all of the small businesses were faced with a decision...whether or not stores should open on Sundays. The answer was immediate...NO. Everyone decided against it. No making a quick run to the grocery store for milk or spending the afternoon Christmas shopping at the mall, no noisy jackhammers or cars honking in a hurry. Just the sound of chatter and laughter. A meeting was called and the decision was unanimous...Sunday is a day to rest.




Now this of course does leave out the cafès, bars and restaurants. But they close on Mondays, so that the rest of the town can enjoy time together with family and friends and have a place to reunite on Sundays. Whether at home, in the park, or in a bar (here bars are actually family places...they're not pool halls or anything like that!)

I saw the most amazing thing while we were sitting in bar "42". All of the tables were full and a young couple didn't have anywhere to sit, so an elderly couple invited them to sit down at their table. Complete strangers sat and talked for 30 minutes. I'm sure that if it were the hustle and bustle of a Monday or Tuesday, the young couple wouldn't have had time to sit and chat. But they had no stores to visit or chores to do, so they slowed down and enjoyed the company.




Come Monday everything changes. The jackhammer starts up again, the cars honk away, people push and shove on their way to work, and it's back to the daily grind. But I think everyone should take time to just slow down and enjoy the people and things you're thankful for.