Becoming a Local

Quién (Who): Me! (Joy!)
Qué (What): This is a personal experiment that I am conducting to see how long it takes for me to become a "local" at a nearby coffee shop. I am documenting what happens each day. I will order the exact same thing around the exact same time every day, excluding weekends. 
Donde (Where): A place right near my casa that is called Taberna El Papelón ("Tavern on Newsprint").
Cuándo (When): Around 10 am every weekday morning. 
Por qué (Why): To become a local Sevillana! 

Day 1: 16 de Septiembre:Café con leche
Walked up to the window and ordered. The waiter also asked me if I wanted toast, but I didn't, so I said no thanks and sat down at a table. Then, a few minutes later, he brought me my coffee. 

After finishing my coffee, I wasn't sure whether I should ask the waiter for the bill (as you do in many Spanish restaurants) or go back up to the window and pay. 

So I figured that I needed to get up and go the window and pay. I waited a little while and then the waitress was kind enough to tell me that it was one euro, so I took one out and left it on the counter, and she said, "Gracias, guapa." 

I'm looking forward to seeing how it will go tomorrow, hopefully a little smoother!

Day 2: 17 de Septiembre: Café con leche
Today was easier because I had already been to this place before. I walked up to the window, waited for the woman running the place to finish with another person's order, and then asked for my coffee. Same as yesterday, she asked me if I that was all I wanted to which I replied yes. I wonder if it's weird for me to only order coffee from them? 

Anyways, the waiter brought my coffee out a few minutes later and didn't really seem to recognize me (or acknowledge me much). 

After I finished, the waiter was busy, but I knew it cost one euro, so I took that amount out, put it on the counter just inside the window and said "Gracias" to him before taking off. 

Day 3: 18 de Septiembre: Café con leche
It was a little odd today, but I think the waitress is starting to recognize me, so that's good. I placed my order and again, they asked me if that's all I wanted. 

I sat down, the coffee was brought to me, and then I enjoyed it while doing a little people watching. 

After I was done, a lot of people were standing at the window waiting to place orders, so it took a while for me to pay. I didn't have exactly one euro this time to pay, so I had to wait to get change. The waitress who recognized me eventually was nice enough to give me change. 

Day 4: 19 de Septiembre: Café con leche y una tostada con aceite
So, normally I sit outside, but today I was a little surprised to find that the tables weren't outside. Instead, I had to sit inside (which worked just fine, too). I also decided to eat "breakfast" here this morning, too (because the kitchen in my casa was an absolute mess). I ended up ordering my usual coffee plus a piece of toast with olive oil (which is actually very delicious, but not super satisfying in terms of protein or an "American" breakfast). 

Anyways, I think I am really starting to become a local! The waitress who is always there saw me and asked "Un cafe con leche?" before I even said anything - she knows my order! She is super sweet and I really enjoy coming back to this place every day because of her. After I finished my breakfast, I gave her two euros (a little more than my usual one euro coffee because of the toast) and went on my merry way. 

Day 5: 20 de Septiembre: Café con leche
The waitress, whose name is Carmen I found out, definitely recognizes me, but I think I confused her about my order. Haha. This time she asked me what I wanted and I only got my usual coffee today. 

It was pretty simple: I ordered, enjoyed my coffee, and then paid and left. =)

Day 6: 23 de Septiembre: Café con leche, zumo de naranja, tostada con aceite
Carmen asked me if I wanted café con leche as soon as I walked in today. This time I got an entire breakfast though, so I also got some orange juice and toast. 

After eating my breakfast, I stayed around a little longer to write my blog post for CEA. 

Eventually, I went to the counter and paid, then left. 

Day 7: 24 de Septiembre: Café con leche
I was running a little late today, so I had to get my coffee para llevar (to go). Carmen did not realize this, so she told me to sit down, but then I explained that I couldn't stay, so she understood. 

Day 8: 25 de Septiembre: Café con leche
Carmen wasn't there today, but I think it is because I came a little later than I usually do. But two of the other guys were there and they are finally starting to recognize me. I ordered, sat down, drank my coffee, and then paid. 

Day 9: 26 de Septiembre: Café con leche
Pretty typical today - went in, ordered coffee, drank it, and then paid. 

Day 10: 27 de Septiembre: Café con leche
Success! As soon as I walked in, the waiter said, "Un café con leche?" and started preparing it for me! I now feel as if I am officially a local! =)