Living between languages

Today I was shocked to realize that it's already halfway through October. Where has time gone?!

Things are going very well in Linares. Funny enough, I've yet to have a full week of work between day trips to Jaen (the province's capital) for administrative purposes, a day spent with visitors in my school, a trip to Granada, and a civic holiday. Nonetheless, I'm getting used to the type of work, and it looks like I'm going to have a busy schedule: there are tons of people who want private lessons for themselves, their kids, their brothers, their sisters, their friends... not to mention the fact that yesterday I had an impromptu interview at a private English academy and they basically hired me on the spot!

Living with a Spanish couple has been amazing. They are so sweet and have included me in family events and social events too, which is great because we're pretty close in age. We've been watching a Spanish drama series, unfortunately without Spanish subtitles, but last night I was thrilled to discover that I am catching more of the dialogue! I'm also working on my linarense accent, which is quite unique. (So far I think I've only succeeded in making my accent a little less anglófono.) 

Last week I went to Granada with a group of visitors from Slovakia, Bulgaria and Turkey that was visiting one of my schools. Alhambra was simply breathtaking, and the city of Granada was muy chula (very nice/pretty). Then on Monday I went to Jaen to experience one of their fairs, which was huge and a lot of fun! In short, it's been a very busy two weeks and I had planned to take it easy this weekend, but alas tapas is calling my name and it looks like I'll be out again tonight!

'Ta luego! 

First days in Linares

While enjoying a leisurely Saturday morning, I suddenly realized that I haven't even been in Linares a week and already it's starting to feel like a second home. This week was a really busy one between getting settled in, starting work, navigating a new city, trying to decipher the very unique Linares accent, and, por supuesto, eating lots of tapas!

Linares is a nice city, big enough to have everything you need but small enough that you can run into people you know in the street. I can't get over how welcoming and helpful everybody is: I can't count the number of times people have offered to help me with anything I need, even if we've only just met! And it's a good thing, too, because I wouldn't have been able to figure out how to set up a bank account, get a cell phone, or get to the schools I'll be working at without a lot of help.

Last night I experienced the Linares tapas scene, which surprisingly was like a type of tapas bar crawl. We went from one tapa bar to another, trying the various tapas offered and revelling in the low prices. It's no wonder the tapa bars are filled with linarenses on the weekend, considering that for just a few euros you can get delicious food and drink–and a great atmosphere, too!

As for my living situation, I'm renting a room in a house owned by a Spanish couple looking to improve their English. They've been so nice and helpful, and my Spanish level has already skyrocketed from trying to express day-to-day things like, "Do you have an onion?" or "How do you say 'hairdryer'?" It's nice to have a kind of family around, too, when you're far away from home. :)

'Ta luego!

En route to Linares

September 30, 2014

As I sit sipping a café con leche on a warm Malaga patio, it seems surreal that only a few days ago I was telling friends, family and others that I would soon be spending eight months in Spain. Back then, it seemed only vaguely true, an adventure happening in the future that I was both looking forward to excitedly and second-guessing in turn. But at last here I am, on the last leg of my journey, waiting for a bus to my soon-to-be new home of Linares, Spain. 

Almost immediately, some of my expectations for southern Spain have been confirmed. Sitting on a patio facing the street, I notice vespas scooting by, palm trees lining the streets, conversations taking place in rapid español andaluz, and other café customers sipping their coffees while leisurely smoking a cigarette. This is no 11:00 a.m. on a Canadian Monday: the café is surprisingly busy and there seems to be no rush to finish coffee or meals and scoot off to work. A pleasant surprise comes at the end of my meal: my delicious ham-and-cheese sandwich and two cafes con leche cost a mere 5.25 euros.

It has been a long journey to get here—and there are still a good 7 hours to go until I reach my final destination­—but despite the struggle to keep my eyes open and focused on my watch and my luggage, I’m full of excitement and anticipation.

‘Ta luego!