Hi, my name is Kelly and I write about being a dad. Let me tell you 
Download free ebook
twitter
facebook
flickr
youtubeWednesday, April 11th, 2007
El Restaurante
The bathroom door swung shut. I made my way between the tables towards the front door with Alleke in my arms and the diaper bag over my shoulder. We were having lunch with friends at a table outside.
Two women were sitting at the bar. One of them leaned over to other one, whispered, then pointed at Alleke. She got up and walked over.
I thought she wanted to say hello, but instead she lifted Alleke out of my arms and kissed her on the forehead.
I played along, smiling. She showed Alleke to her friend, all three of them giggling. Then she showed Alleke to the bartender, who nodded. Then she walked off, introducing herself and this blonde baby to each table. Some people lifted Alleke into their arms and gave her a cuddle. Others just kept eating. Some flowered her with compliments telling her she was just too cute.
I followed along on an imaginary leash, unsure of protocol. Was this normal, or was this crazy?
Alleke was enjoying herself and making lots of new friends. No harm was being done. Still, this woman seemed to have no intention of giving my little girl back to me. It was a big restaurant, and there were lots of tables still to visit.
I tapped the woman on the shoulder and asked if I could have Alleke back.
She glanced at me over her shoulder.
“I’m not finished with her yet,” she said, walking on to the next table.
MORE ON: 7-9 months, alleke, baby, city life, dad, spain
6 COMMENTS
oh man, that is not normal, but many spanish people think it is. i love them dearly but that type of behavior used to drive me nuts. i don’t even know where to begin.
April 11, 2007 at 3:17 pm
How surreal, like a dream that you wake up from in a slight panic and then say “whew, just a dream” but it wasn’t a dream. What did April say?
In Mexico it’s good luck to touch or kiss the head of blonde/blue-eyed babies so there’s a bit of that personal boundry crossing here in Texas too. But certainly not to the point of someone actually taking your baby out of your arms.
OH-MY-GOSH! That is out of control!!! I wouldn’t have known what to do with myself! So, what does happen? How long till she gave her back? I freaked out last weekend among friends when someone I had never met took Maisie (from another friend) and walked around the corner out of my sight! That is craziness!
April 13, 2007 at 6:07 pm
I enjoyed your blog, thanks. Hope you enjoy your time in Spain.
P.S. check out my site at Rocket Spanish
April 14, 2007 at 12:47 pm
Someone did this to me once and I didn’t handle it nearly as well as you!
October 1, 2007 at 3:30 pmLEAVE YOUR COMMENT
sandra said...
Kelly, how does the story end – why was she walking Alleke around the restaurant?
April 11, 2007 at 1:40 pm