Last Friday was my last day of Spanish classes, and we had a field trip! We went to t
he biblioteca to compete in teams looking up information about Spain in Spanish reference books. Afterwards we all went out for tapas and then over to Miguel’s house where Robert and I attempted to teach everyone Texas Hold ‘Em. (Apparently not a game in China, Holland, or Spain). Around 9:30 I left to go meet up with my Spanish “club” again at the intercambio bar. My school friends came along and everyone thought I was weird for being a part of it.After that, Rafa showed us all his favorite weird bar in Granada—called Rincon de Michael Landon (Michael Landon’s Corner) which was indeed very weird. (Basically a shrine to the actor). After that we all headed back to one of my favorites: Van Gogh.
On Saturday, Gillian and I headed out to Cordoba, a beautiful town about the size of Granada about 2 hours northwest. We started out at the ruins of Madinat al-Zahra (A planned palatine city located a few miles west of Cordoba, was founded by 'Abd al-Rahman III in 936. www.archnet.org) Afterwards we headed into the city itself for a look at the ancient synagogue, some beautiful historic streets and of course the giant Mosque (now called the “Cathedral of Cordoba” because of the giant ornate chapel built right in the middle of the perfectly
simplistic mosque). It was absolutely amazing. I am completely enamored with this city. On Saturday night Robert and I discovered that he had been locked out of the school where he had chained his big backpack to a bicycle rack, and a very sneaky rescue operation ensued.Sunday we had breakfast in this wonderful square very close to the cathedral: Plaza Bib-Rambla. It is adorable now, but apparently back in the day it was used for executions. I moved out of Leo’s house into my convent. (Robert and I had the ‘seems like a good idea’ of carrying ALL of my suitcases and stuff up the giant cobblestone hill on foot. He ended up carrying almost everything, and it was quite the accomplishment- people were coming out of their houses to stare. The new place isn’t perfect, but does have its good points. I miss having an outdoor window, and my room is a little dank and moldy, but it’s very nicely situated. I have a beautiful old wooden closet door, inside which the following is inscribed:
“15 de Mayo 1922
Cayetano Ricardo”
After I got all unpacked, we went to Paul and Gillians house where Karen (Holland) and her boyfriend Angel (Spain) made dinner for the 6 of us. It was delicious and a really nice and relaxed evening before the onslaught of this crazy week.Which brings me to the TEFL course. It is INTENSE. We’re there from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and then have to come home and do more work to prepare. I am missing speaking Spanish, I was really starting to get the hang of it. I still take any opportunity to speak it, but the opportunities are limited when you’re stuck in an English course all day. I like everyone in the class though. Carol from Ireland, Olga from the Czech Republic, Jose from Spain, Tabitha from the UK/Spain, Aaron from Georgia and Russ from Nashville. Great group dynamics (although it does get a little tense among us southerners when the beef vs. pork barbeque debate surfaces. Beef of course.) We have mostly been focusing on learning a specific teaching model using dialogue and role play, but had a random Polish class thrown in there (to empathize with the students) and then a lot of lesson prep work. I taught my first class tonight! I was expecting 6 intermediate students and got 3 beginners so I had to improvise a lot. I think it went okaaaaaay. I did learn a bunch for next time (Tuesday) though. The only thing I’ve done besides work for this course this week is visit the baths again with Vicki, Adele and Chelsea (Spanish students). I think it may become my Spanish guilty pleasure.
SABES QUE…
That in Ireland all crosswalks are called “Zebra crossings”?
Good Luck with your English class!
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