In which I embark on a mission and learn the value of perseverance

Yesterday I wanted to buy ribbon. The first step was figuring out how to say ribbon. I asked my trusted dictionary (also known as Javi) and he told me it's “lazo.” Ok, now where do I get this? Obviously, I went to one of the many fabric stores near my apartment. They kept telling me I had to go to a “mercería.” So I went home and looked up what the heck this was. It's a sewing store. One would think that they would have the sewing supplies in the same store as the fabric, but no. So after asking around some more, I finally figured out the area of where a sewing store was (they don't give street names, just “near the cathedral” is supposed to suffice). So heading in that general direction, I came across a store filled with yarn. This MUST be a sewing store, right? Wrong again. The store sold yarn exclusively! After another session of wandering that was prolonged by Semana Santa processions blocking streets, I saw the mecca of my journey. At last, ribbon! So I talked to the shopkeeper and he got me what I wanted. Woo hoo! But silly me, I suck at estimating in meters, so I came home with way less than I needed for my project. I'll go back today and finish the 2 day search for ribbon, once and for all!