Monday, December 19, 2011

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas!

This past week the Christmas season has come out full force! All of my students are learning English songs, such as Santa Clause is Coming to Town and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, for their Christmas performance this week. They are all in awe that I already know all the words to the songs they are learning haha.

When I got to school this past week the place was all decked out in decorations- tinsel strewn, Christmas trees scattered throughout and a huge nativity scene, or belén, in the front entrance. As soon as I walked into the Winter Wonderland, one of the teachers asked me if I knew how to ice skate. Next thing I know I am on a bus with forty 7 year olds chanting my name on the way to the ice rink. As we were walking into the rink one of the guys that work there said Hola to me, and without any hesitation one of my students,Antonio, screams in Spanish "SHE'S AMERICAN AND DOESN'T UNDERSTAND YOU!" Thanks Antonio....

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to prove that Antonio was wrong about my Spanish because instead of telling the man "No tengo guantes" (I don't have gloves), I told him "No tengo guisantes" (I don't have peas). As he looked at me in confusion I continued to tell him that since I don't have any peas, my hands are cold. Eventually, he figured out what I was getting at and gave me his gloves to wear.

After strapping all the squirming kids into their ice skates, it was time to hit the ice. As I saw them slipping and falling all over the place I quickly wondered what I got myself into and hoped that I would come out of this with all my bones in tact. As soon as I stepped onto the ice they all swarmed to me like a bunch of excited puppies. Juan, the little boy who had claimed me as his wife, insisted on holding my hand while we skate. Having seen him fall numerous times I was a little worried that I would end up being pulled down with him the next time he fell. But luckily I made it out without any spills or injuries!

Last night Maggie, Justin and I went to Plaza Cibeles for a Christmas light show. It was one of the coolest Christmas shows I have ever seen. They had the lights perfectly lined up with the building so that it looked like it as moving, as if it were a toy! Then at the end they had a Christmas tree displayed on the building and fireworks began spouting out of the top. Here are some pictures to try and give you a better idea of what it was like:



I cannot believe that Christmas is this week! I would be lying if I said that it isn't hard being away from home this time of year. I wish more than anything that I was with my family in California, sitting by the fireplace and baking all day. But I have wonderful friends here in Spain to celebrate the holidays with, which I am so greatful for!!

I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas!!!

Sunday, December 11, 2011

España is where the heart is

This past week Justin, Maggie and I took our first international trip since being in Spain! We wanted to go somewhere Christmas-y, so after doing some research we decided to go to Belgium! After taking a cab, train, plane and various buses we finally made it to the beautiful city of Brugges. This city is so pictureseque and cozy!! We spent our time walking around the little town, visiting the Christmas market, ice skating and sipping on mulled wine to keep ourselves warm. The weather was shockingly cold for me- we definitely weren't in California!!





One night at the Christmas market we met a group of Belgians who insisted on showing us the Brugge nightlife. Luckily, they all spoke English very well because prior to meeting them we were constantly be talked at in French and Flemish and in a constant state of confusion. What seemed to be a quiet little town ended up being a lot of fun! At the bar we went to, someone spilled their drink on me so I went to go get a napkin. I went up to someone at the bar and asked for a napkin when I realized he had no idea what I was saying, so I had to resort to charades. He then told me that he was Italian so I asked if he spoke Spanish, but he did not. For whatever reason I thought it was a good idea to just continue speaking Spanish to him, in turn he responded in Italian and we were actually able to communicate!! I ended up talking to him for a while, so ever since then I find any moment to bring up to Maggie and Justin that I speak Italian. Although they seem to think otherwise...





On our last day in Belgium we made our way to the capital, Brussels. After being in perfect and idyllic Brugges, Brussels quickly became a disappointment. It is very dirty and not a whole lot to do. And to make matters worse, we had a whole day and night to spend here without a place to stay. Since our flight back to Madrid was so early in the morning we thought it would be best to stay out all night in order to save a buck. Once 2 a.m. rolled around we took a cab to the train station to get our luggage out of the lockers and to catch the bus to the airport. Meanwhile, as we were driving through the streets that resembled Compton, some man jumps out of his car and starts fighting with a group of men on the side of the street. Needless to say, I was greatful to be leaving Brussels. Once we got to the train station we walked up to the door to see that the woman who previously told us they were open all night long was very wrong. I saw two security guards through the window and tried to tell them we needed our stuff but they just shook their heads and told us that they open at 4 a.m., which is when our bus was supposed to leave. So for the next hour and a half the three of us tried to take cover from the freezing cold and creepy people. Just then two boys wiggled one of the doors open to the train station. I asked them if we could go in with them which resulted in them giving me a weird look and saying something in French. We decided that following potential robbers and risking arrest in a foreign country would be best to avoid. As the time ticked we got more and more nervous about missing our bus and flight. Maggie had convinced the bus driver to hold the bus for 4 minutes so that we could run and get our luggage once they opened at four. So Justin and I watched the clock tick as we prepared to sprint into the train station. Well, 4 a.m. struck and the doors still had not opened. Desperate times call for desperate measures so we wiggled our way into the loose door and made a sprint to our luggage. I am glad to announce that we made it on the bus and avoided any type of arrest haha.

Although our trip to Belgium was wonderful, I was very glad to be coming back to Madrid. Last night we went to our local bar to watch El Clasico, which is the big soccer match between Real Madrid and Barcelona. Being immersed back into the Spanish culture after being away only showed me even more how happy I am here! And after having ten days off from work, I must say that I am looking forward to seeing all my cute students!

Monday, December 5, 2011

la jota

Wow, I can't believe it is already December! The city is all decked out in lights and Christmas is in the air! This past Friday my school had our Christmas dinner and it just revalidated that I am so lucky to be working at this school. Everyone I work with is so nice and fun! We had a great meal consisting of jamón y queso, croquetas, steak, flan and ofcourse plenty of wine. At one point in the night the teachers began hitting the table with their hands and chanting 'Que habla Jaime!' (they took turns filling in the name of the 4 English assistants) Once our name was the one being chanted we had to stand up and make a toast. Having to stand up in front of 25 natives and speak Spanish is quite intimidating but I survived with only a few errors. We all talked and laughed at the restaurant until 1 am and then the teachers decided it was time to go dancing. So we all made our way out to various bars and clubs, dancing into the early morning.

Teaching is still going wonderfully and I am always so happy to be at school! This past week one of the teachers, Alberto, has began staying after school on Tuesdays to help me with my Spanish. One aspect I need the most work on is pronunciation and the accent. Here in Spain they speak Castellano which is a bit different from what we hear from Mexican and South American speakers. For example, they pronounce their c´s and z´s as th. So Barcelona is pronounced Barthelona. Or cerveca is pronounced thervetha. In addition they pronounce their j´s and g´s using their throat (think of German speakers). I personally have the most trouble with the 'jota' sound and feel like I am coughing something up everytime I try to say jamón or Sergio. I feel bad for any of my students with a j or g in their name because I never call on them.
Last week a group of 3rd grade girls came up to me in class and said 'Jaime, do this...' then they began making the throaty jota sound. Alberto had told the 3rd graders that English speakers, like Jaime, have a hard time pronouncing the jota. So now their favorite thing to do is try to teach me how to do it.

The way I described their accents and pronunciation made it seem that their language is ugly, but it is really very pretty. I actually prefer it to Mexican and South American Spanish. It only begins to sound butchered when an English speaker, like me, is trying to learn it. Hopefully in time I will get it down. :) Here is a short interview of Alejandro Sanz, a singer from Madrid. You can hear him speak Castellano. I personally could listen to him speak alllll day long! Hope you enjoy!


This week I have off of work due to the country's Constitution Day and some other holiday that I am not sure about. Maggie, Justin and I are taking advantage of all the free time and heading to Belgium on Wednesday! We will be spending 2 nights in Brugge and a day in Brussels. Belgium is the chocolate capital of the world, and for those of you who know how much I love chocolate know that this could be a bad combination. I may come back 15 pounds heavier! Hope everyone back home in the U.S. are doing great and getting into the Christmas spirit! Wishing I could be there with you all!