This morning Pilar picked me up to take me to Cristóbal Cólon, my school. I met all of the staff and we talked about my schedule. With my program, I’m required to only work 12 hours, Monday-Wednesday but they offered me Thursdays too, so I’m taking those hours. I got a tour of the classrooms and was introduced to each class. I’ve heard sooo many names, but luckily that was the only overwhelming part of my day. I stayed in 2 English classes with Piedad. She had them ask me questions about who I am and such. It was cute to hear them use their basic English. The first class (I think 3rd grade) won me over because 2 girls came and gave me hugs as soon as I walked in, and then gave me kisses on the cheek before I left and most of the class was cutely shy. The second class (4th grade) was hilarious because all they wanted was to ask me a million of questions, for example if I like sausage or the Jonas Brothers. But this position is going to be hard in the way that I have to pretend that I don’t speak any Spanish. I told the kids today that I can only say “hola, sí, no, y adios.” Oof. Today wasn’t too hard there, but I can imagine it getting tricky. But isn’t it kinda ironic that in essence, I’m getting paid to lie? It’ll be interesting for sure.
Later I went to the market with Manuel’s 15 year old daughter Alejandra. She didn’t have school because there’s a country-wide strike of some sort. It was apparently pretty crazy in other parts of the country, but not really evident in Quintanar. But this market is an outdoor one, a smaller version then the one I fell in love with in Sevilla. But I got some churros (what else would you expect from my first full day in Spain?) and those of Quintanar totally pass my test :) We walked around the city a bit and stopped at a little bar thing for tapas. Oh, Spanish food, how I’ve missed you. It’s great to have you back in my life.
Back at the school, I sat and talked with Arturo, the school’s secretary, while the other teachers had a meeting of some sort. He’s in his last year of an English program and wants to practice the language as much as possible and as he said “I’m going to take advantage of you” haha. He’s really funny and his English is great. My favorite part of the conversation was when he was teaching me a word that kinda means “jerk” but depending on how it’s used, it’s really harsh, another teacher passed by and cracked up laughing as I was repeating it a few times over. But I love how the Spanish use normal words as swear words and swear words as terms of endearment.
After that, I went to Manuel’s house to have lunch with him and his family. They’re great people- really funny and super friendly. And their 6 year old daughter is one of the cutest children I’ve ever seen. I love that after the main course we went outside and sat in their perfectly gorgeous patio to sip some café (or rather, straight expresso). It was fantastic. Soon after, we all piled in their car and headed to Alcazar de San Juan, a town about half an hour away. On this ride I couldn’t help but to think that the region of La Mancha, is in some ways like living in Spain’s version of Berks County, due to the vast amounts of fields and tractors we passed. San Juan is a cute city, a little bigger than Quintanar and it was fun exploring while getting to know Manuel’s family.
But all is going well here. I think I’m going to really enjoy the next 8 month.
here's a link if you want to read a little more about the strike: http://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2010/09/29/espana/1285763230.html
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