Proxima Parada

Its been a while since I have written I apologize!  I've been taking some time to get used to the "fiesta" aspect of Spain culture and have been thoroughly enjoying it.  Now I am listening to the rain and enjoying a cup of coffee having just woken up at 12 p.m.  How indulgent...

Siesta's are another indulgent thing that I used to feel guilty about taking.  I would ask myself, "Really?  a nap right now?  What have you done today to deserve a nap?!"  Now its more of, "You better get a 45 minute siesta in if you want to last as late as these crazy people do..."  I touched on this earlier, but in many ways I would like to morph the American and Spanish cultures together, because I now have a good idea about the positives and negatives to both.  

For example, Americans have the reputation of being hardworking and always in a hurry.  Spaniards have the reputation of being lazy and indulgent. Can I get both please?!  I'm also not calling all Spanish people lazy (side note:  Spaniards also don’t care much about politically correctedness either…notice my immediate reaction to say not all Spanish are lazy).  Aside from my American need to be politically correct, I have also faced a few stereotypes and had to justify American culture in my classroom and around me.  At school, one of my students looked at me and asked, “Does everyone in America eat McDonald’s?  Are they all fat?”  I started to laugh and then another student chimed in, “She’s not fat and she’s American, most Americans work out!”  I was cracking up listening to their ideas of American culture.  Some were completely far-fetched, others I had to shake my head sadly and say they were true. 

Most of the time when I say I’m American (which I do say proudly I can’t help it) people are generally pleasant, ask a couple of questions, and try to speak in English too me.  However, I recently ran into a situation where I was told, “You seem nice, but in general we don’t like Americans…”  He explained it was because of the fraternity culture and the students who come over here to study abroad and just drink and get rowdy.  I understand that stereotype, but naturally I was quite offended! 

Last night I hung out with my Spanish roommate and a few of his friends for the first time and they too asked me questions about American culture.  It had more to do with American television, Grand Theft Auto and the violence in our culture.  Of course they were joking occasionally but they definitely get a skewed vision in their heads of who we are. 

For a lot of Spanish, touching and close proximity don’t seem to be a problem for anyone.  I’m used to affectionate proximity from my family and have no problems with hugs, with strangers however?  That’s a different story.  I’m still getting used to the double cheek kiss which is how you greet someone you’ve been introduced too.  Doesn’t matter if you’re male, female, old young, if you’ve been introduced, you touch cheeks and make the kiss sound.  Several of my co-teachers will hold my arm while explaining something to me.  My Spanish roommate has pinched my cheek a couple of times even in front of his girlfriend!  But that’s just it, they’re signs of endearment and they don’t think twice about it and you see it everywhere.       

I’m ready for another weekend and am excited that I have been here for a month…missing home of course

    

     I had my second, first day of class at my OFFICIAL school today!  It was a big change, but I think it will be better for me in the long run.  I am with one group of kids and only 2 teachers as opposed to a whole jumble of different classes. I think with my desire to be a teacher in the future, this will allow me to work more on lesson plans and dealing with middle school children.  At my old school, we were used more as a “Foreigner prop.”  We answered questions and just kind of enforced that there are native English speakers out there.  At my new school, they were very excited to find out that I graduated with a teaching degree.  My English teacher immediately divided the class in half and sent me to an empty classroom with 15 kids saying, “Heres the book, we’re starting lesson 3.” The Spanish method of teaching is all about improvisation I’ve noticed.  No lesson plans to turn in, just straight from the book. The teachers don’t worry about being politically correct or humiliation of students.  Updates to continue…

        As I learn more about the curriculum I’ll let you know if my theory changes.  The teachers spoke specifically in Spanish to me, which was good because I need to improve.  All in all my observations have led me to believe we need a fusion of American culture and Spanish culture because they seem to be quite different extremes.  Spaniards think we’re workaholics, but complain that their people are lazy.  I have to justify every indulgent decision I make, they say, “Why not?”   

       As I am continuing my life in Madrid, I have noticed and become aware of so many different things.  Whether they are different or similar, I have to address a couple of things that I am already sick of seeing…Number one being dog poop.  Trying to avoid this on the sidewalks is not pleasant and I can actually smell it.  So gross.  Another gross thing?  People making out everywhere.  Call me bitter, but I walk around a lot and every 20 feet there’s a couple kissing passionately.  Doesn’t matter if its 2 p.m. or 2 a.m. its all the same.  First couple of times I thought, “Aw that’s nice,” now it’s, “Don’t you have somewhere to be?!”  

My weekend starts Friday :) hope everyone else is doing well 

Primer Dia de Classes

Today was my first day of school!!!  I woke up at 6 a.m. to catch my first train, to my connecting train to get to the school which is quite far away.  Needless to say, catching the train going in the wrong direction didnt help....I got to the school about 20 minutes late.  But its Spain!  And they don't seem to care, especially since the head director and I have been in constant contact most of the summer.  

            Anyways, I finally arrived to the school and all the of the little kids were so excited!  I have 4 classes and work with students mainly in 4th and 5th grade.  I switch around to different classes and get to work with different teachers.  Some dedicated the whole class time to getting to know me, others went straight to the lesson and didnt know what to do with an assistant in the class.  

           Either way this week is an adjustment period and we'll have to see what they expect from me!  Im not supposed to take over any teacher roles, but I'm sure ill have to come up with some lesson ideas or help with the topic being covered.  

          My commute is long but so far it has been a welcoming atmosphere and the teachers were pretty nice!  A chance to speak some more spanish I hope?  The few times Ive been out and able to try, people just want to practice their english with me...we'll get there :)

A dia en mi Vida

This whole week has been a wave of emotions as you might imagine.  Part of my day I am on a mission to open bank accounts, change phone numbers, and acquire transportation.  The other part I am walking blissfully around the streets of Madrid, wondering where to eat next.  Then of course I hit by intensities of joy, sadness, ojida (I just had to look up how to spell that, definition: mental angst).  It was particularly frustrating trying to open a bank account because I only have my passport.  I could not get my point across that I could still open an account with it.  Some people are rude and just roll their eyes when I start talking, others kindly let me spill out what I’m saying before they pat me on the back and point me to the door.  I found one finally….now hopefully to get money into it!! 

              Once I got somewhere with all items on my check list today, I took some time to be a tourist.  I walked to the palace and cathedral today, which are about a 30 minute walk from my apartment. Yup, I live near a palace, and the royal gardens are right next to me.  The ROYAL gardens.  I went to the most touristy plaza in Madrid and ate, what will be, the most expensive meal ill have in Spain.  It was delicious though, and I ate every bit of it J I had manchego cheese, Spanish tortilla, and a glass of sangria.  After that I just meandered through the gardens and found my way back to my apartment.  Whose life am I living?!  

Here I am again in my wonderful apartment!  This time with pictures included...I woke up this morning and met Janine (another auxilliare who is switching places with me) and we turned in the paper work.  She is from England, looks like Kat Deely from "So you think you can Dance," and was pushing her baby stroller around.  We turned in the paperwork and we started talking about our lives.  She ended up coming with me to several banks and tried to help communicate with me and we got lunch together.  It was a calamari sandwich...its amazing just how "go with the flow" you have to be.    

I think part of her felt sorry for me, part of her was glad to not immediately have to get on the train for an hour to go back home.  She was very sweet and I offered to babysit for her.  She goes "Its a shame we cant both work at Aranjuez, I like you!"  So out of the 3 people I know here?  2 are mothers.  

Banks close at 2 here, so after 2, I meandered around learning the area near my apartment.  Its very residential and "Posh" as it is right near the center of Madrid.  The Lion King (El Rey Leon) is playing at their version of Broadway, and I just might go!  Its amazing walking around and absorbing the culture.  Sometimes I get a chance to talk in Spanish, sometimes I can immediately be like "No hablo espanol!"  and go on my merry way.  Is it lonely?  Not yet.  Its nice being able to do my own thing and not be focused on trying to make best friends with all the American's in Madrid.  I will be meeting a few a week from today at my school.  

El Viaje

Dia numero 1

     I am off!  I am currently on the air plane flying to Brussels where I have a connecting flight to Madrid.  I can’t believe it…after all this anticipation I am finally on my way to teaching in Madrid!!  In the mean time I have to deal with the highs and lows of traveling.  Which included a near panic attack at JFK trying to catch my flight from Terminal 8 to Terminal 1.  Then going through sa-curity again.  And making it onto the plane with about 20 minutes to spare, PHEW!!!   Needless to say I will be very glad once I officially step foot in Madrid, and better yet, get into Zaragoza where I will be staying with my American friend. 

She has been so nice as to let me stay with her, in her new home about an hour away from Madrid.  She did the program before me and has been soooooo helpful in this entire process…It will be nice to see her and have her show me the ropes!  And of course the one jar of peanut butter I bring especially for her got confiscate, fyi peanut butter counts as a liquid…

    Now I’m sitting in the Brussels airport watching the sunrise, eating the apples my mom cut up for me this morning.  My plane landed 40 minutes early and I am very thankful because I had to go through security AGAIN!  I know everyone wants to read a blow-by-blow account of my flight journeys but let me tell ya, this is stressful!  I am by no means a seasoned flyer, and the first big experience I had flying had a problem at every turn.  Only this time I didn’t have Eric with me.  At least if I was stranded in an airport I had someone else by my side, helping me navigate/freaking out with me.  This time I know a little more what to expect and can anticipate what may potentially go wrong. 

     I still have one more flight andddd baggage claim to go through so let’s not get ahead of myself…

In the meantime, I am picturing the way life is going to be for me for the next few months.  It’s impossible of course, but Ill be sure to let everyone know my address (cross your fingers)  

     Well after 3 flights, a 2 hour scramble to find a bus, and a 3 hour bus ride, I am finally in Zaragoza!!!  Leah got me from the bus station and rode with me back to her cute, but tiny, apartment.  She then made me a delicious dinner, spaghetti with chicken/meat sauce, and made me some coffee while we caught up.   I couldn’t have felt more comfortable after my excursion over here.  To top it off, I then got to SHOWER before sleeping…The next couple of days will consist of finding a place to live and running around Madrid with Leah getting myself settled.  Monday is orientation and ill catch everyone up next week about the excitement going on...

Diferencias en la Cultura

There's no doubt when you’re walking around the streets of Granada, you're in Spain. The Spanish language and architecture is everywhere! It is weird, however, when I'm walking down the street and I see a Dominos or Dunkin Doughnuts. I have yet to see a McDonald's, thank god, but I wouldn't be surprised if there was one here. Some things are so Americanized! Brands, magazines, sometimes could be walking in the streets of a U.S.A city.

As much as I try to blend into the culture and people, there are something’s I do, or try to avoid doing that make me stand out…

Eating while walking. I woke up late for class one day and didn’t have time for breakfast, so I grabbed an apple and ate it while I was walking. No one does that. It’s not viewed as rude and I wasn’t offending anyone, but no one drinks or eats on the go. Just an interesting difference…

Something the Spanish would find offensive is being barefoot in your house. Definitely something I’m not used too…they always wear ¨´zapatillas¨ or slippers in the house and I’ve had to make a conscious effort to remember to wear my flip flops around the apartment.

Also personal space is different here as well. When you meet someone for the first time who is Spanish (girl or boy) you kiss each other on both cheeks. This is something our study abroad group tried to prepare us for and I was expecting, but it’s still a custom that surprises me each time. Girls who are friends will hold hands or walk arm-in-arm with each other down the streets and guys might walk with one arm draped around their guy friends shoulder if they’re deep in conversation. Couples also will walk down the street having no problem touching each other and not caring whose watching.

Siestas and big lunches do exist here. A typical days involves going to class (others work) coming home and eating a large meal with the whole family and then everyone takes a siesta afterwards. Its amazing! You might not sleep for 2 hours like I do, but most everyone at least rests for 45 minutes. Most spainards then go out for tapas (small meals served with alcoholic beverages :D) or eat a small meal around 8 or 9. Naturally I have a host family that eats almost as big of a dinner as they do lunch. Therefore my siestas are cut in half so I can run at a ¨parque¨ near my house…