cousin #2 nahuell
grek...ya!
"el que lee mucho y anda mucho,
ve mucho y sabe mucho"
priceless experiences
@gmail.com
cousin #1
nearing an end
as the homestay portion comes to a close, the fun begins. after only 10 days here in guadix I have made many local friends and hv learned the customs and ways of life in a small Spanish village. just walked down the street I get patted on the shoulder, hear my name from behind, or a “guapo” from across the street.
last night was the fiesta de Santa ana, a street festival of one of the barrios. there were performances, of which most were done by good friends. there was food, drink, and tapas. flamenco, vocals, Spanish rock, modern dance. they had it all. and it seemed like the kids were having fun. one of my problem children even got up and sang a song. so proud of her. only American on the performance!
Adterwards a few of us went and got some falafel before I walked some kids home and went to bed. this morning I had some free time and walked around. had some tapas with friends and family, and came home to have a big Saturday lunch with extended family. played with 2 little cousins, took lots of pictures, and drew winnie the pooh. we had migas, like stuffing, with melon! and tinto de verano, claro.
after 10 days I’m finally able to relax and have a good time. that is until I get an email from a very angry parent. so starts the email chain and USA phone calls and time in my room speaking english. why do these kids call home when they have problems and not me!
so I have to tell my family I can’t go to the show in Granada they bought me a ticket for that I have been anticipating since arrival. boo. but then again, I am here. for work not pleasure. and if something should happen and I’m in granada…no good.
so. I’m really liking guadix and hope to return one day sin chicos. see you all in a few days!
view of guadix from my bedroom
I love tapas
entering a cave home with local rep
more caves
most of the group with some siblings
cave communities of guadix
natalia in a tea shop in Granada
my brother Gabriel!
living in guadix
guadix is super cool. 20,000 people and everyone knows eachother. I walk down the street with Gabriel, my 19 year old brother, and he knows everyone! the city is 2000 years old and they are in the process of digging up a roman ampitheatre in front of the cathedral in the main square. there are also tunnels underground that lead from the cathedral to every house inthe old Jewish quarters. insane. we have lots of activities for my group as well as all siblings. we did an over night camping trip in sierra nevadas. night tour. trip to granada to see the Alhambra, cathedral tour. I went to the beach on Sunday with my family. so trying to stay busy. some of my studntrs are doing really well, love families, and Spanish is really improvng. but with the good comes the bad. the real bad I’ve been to the hospital 2 times with the same girl and also administered my first EpiPen. nut allergy girl ate a friends nut ice cream the first day and didn’t have epipen on her. and then he went to a local fair and ate half a churro filled with nutella. I got the call while I was eating dinner. so my host father drove me over and us to the hospital. by the time we arrive her throat was closing so she ripped off her pants and I stabbed her with a the epipen right in the leg. scary, but I stated cool. handled I like a pro. Granada was fun (for the third time) and I had some free time to hang out just with all the older Spanish siblings. ate some falafel and morrocan tea. relaxed. tranquilo. untill the 6 phone calls back and forth with office about said problem child! but all has calmed down and I can not worry about the group for a bit. so although it’s been slot of work and craziness. I am having a good time. Spain is beautiful andbmy family is great. and the food is amazing. I’m just always full. and my Spanish has improved lots! the only thing I have to worry about at present is the heat. we are on red alert and the brush fires are all that’s on the news. it’s hovering around 40s centigrade. and 40 is 104f. it’s hot. real hot. so we have to be very careful going outside as well as doing activities. so that’s what’s going on I Europe! I hear weather has been nicer in new England. thank goodness! of better be like that next week too when I return to the states! xoxoxo and I totally forgot, but if you know how to use skype and wanna say hi. gimme a call! 011 34 610873456 if calling via phone the 011 will let you exit USA. the 34 is the Spain country code. if using skype drop the 011. and if you wanna text me just put +34610873456
end of cordoba
I am alive and well. well… not sure where I left off last time. cordoba past quicker than expected and with little trouble on comparison to guadix. all I had to worry about (besides what I’ve previously mentioned) is a few more allergic reactions as well as an incident of one of my students getting hit by a cane by an old man. but she brought it on herself by making fun of him when he farted. so she kind of deserved it. there was a possibility we would have to get police involved and press charges, but thankfully gracias a dios we dropped it. the last night we all went out to dinner at a fancy place and got all dressed up. thankfully everyone enjoyed and came out without allergic reactions. then we saw a flamenco show, which was a big success. it was in an outdoor patio and included a drink. we got out quite late but everyone really enjoyed. phew! another success. the next afternoon we jumped on a bus and headed for honestay communities. till now we had been 2 groups with 2 leaders. bit we were heading to different communities. so we sat on the bus and watched the other group nervously meet there families and then rolled away - faces squashed against the glass tears in their eyes. an hour an a half later we picked up 15 Spanish teenagers to bring them to their respective homes in guadix. my kids were horrified by their shouting and songs and overall excitement to meet Americans. we arrived in guadix an hour late. there was a crowd waiting for us when we arrived. my kids got off the bus, pretty horrified at this point, and just waited for a family to come forward and claim them. within minutes each child found a family and we rushed over to see a show performed by another EIL group tyt had been here the previous 2 weeks (though their leader was not present. instead she was at hospital in Granada with one of her students who I believe broke her collar bone). returned to my home and had dinner outside at midnight. delicious. family is originally from Argentina. and although I only understand 20% of what they say due to accent, food, especially Italian influence, is amazing. Marta, Spanish mom #2, showed me my room. introduced me to the pet turtle that slept in my closet, and off to bed!
my street in cordoba
breath. play. live. love. celebrate. reflect. die.
