Page 68 - Microsoft Word - 1_light travels_FOR FLIPBOOK ADJUSTED.docx

BOOKINGDOTCOM
I
The blue and white ceramic tiles
are certainly as quaint as they looked online.
My Castilian inaptitude frustrates the young receptionist. She shakes her head — to end this duel of hand-signals she says my booking has been cancelled.
But I stay put.
Finally she resurrects her manager from siesta
on the other side of the phone...
My lights go on — the amount already charged
is refundable, it was only to test if my credit is good. I resort to Google:
“Sorry that I don't speak Spanish.
Thank you for your help.
What is your name?” “Maria”,
I hear my namesake answer
while I roll the suitcase to my room tucked between the cleaners’ quad and the droning vending machine.