Today was another lazy day. However…Javi finally wins. Javi is basically my personal trainer. He’s the guy that works at the gym and supervises my workouts. I was sore after my first couple workouts in December, but I haven’t been sore since. My muscles are usually tired and I push myself to the point where I can’t lift more weight, but usually the next day I’m fine again. Friday he mixed up my workout and added squats. Today I’m sore…really sore. Haha. Stairs are not my friend.
I also got to talk to my family for awhile via webchat. Sundays seem to be the best days for us to catch up.
I’ve had the munchies all day but nothing is open. I’m both grateful and frustrated that Siles doesn’t permit midnight chocolate runs to the grocery store. Everything is closed about 8pm and not open on Sunday. Chocolate cravings? Too bad. Deal with it. Awwwww. I have had serious ice cream cravings lately. I frickin’ want ice cream! They only have popsicles at the grocery store. Apparently ice cream is for summertime. Grrrr. I like Spanish good, but I really miss the variety we have in the US. I know that in the bigger cities here in Spain there are more options, but not here.
I’m thinking of going to Granada, Cádiz and Málaga in March and April. I need to save money and be conscious of my spending until then. Hopefully I can find a way to save up for these trips. I could use a little trip outside of Siles. I miss traveling like I did during my stay in Murcia.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Saturday, January 22, 2011
A relaxing weekend
Yesterday was pretty relaxed and non-productive. I had my lesson with Elena at 6pm and then went to the gym afterwards. Luis told me to come over to his house when I was done so I could pick up some coats. I’ve had some coats with me, but I kept anxiously awaiting the arrival of my winter coat. My parents had included it in the boxes that they sent (the ones that never arrived). When Luis’ mom found out I didn’t have a true winter coat with me so quickly set out to remedy the situation. Anyways. I went to his house and left with a huge bag of 3 coats (one for everyday, one that’s waterproof and one when I want to dress up a little) as well as a pair of boots. My boots are destroyed. I need to buy some new ones but just can’t shell out the money right now. The boots she gave me to wear are too big but she said I could stuff a sock or something in there so I at least had a pair of boots to wear if I needed them. Carlos (Luis’ nephew) is also back in town. He’s been staying at Luis’ house. While we were trying on coats and boots they had Carlos’ English music CD playing. It was pretty cute. Afterwards I headed home to shower and change, then went out to 1900 and Nicols for awhile.
Today I slept in. Luis came over to make lunch at my house, then had to leave to help haul a fridge up a couple flights of stairs. His parents have an extra flat that they are renting to two of the teachers. The apartment needed a new fridge so Luis and his brother were the lucky ones elected to drag it upstairs (since there isn’t an elevator). I showered and got ready, then went over to Luis’ house to help his mom burn some photo CDs. We got some of them burned, but eventually gave up. I decided to burn the rest at home and we had some tea instead. I don’t think my computer liked the type of CDs we were trying to use and I had others in my apartment. Luis and I went back to my apartment to make dinner, then just relaxed and watched TV. I believe Luis watched a movie, but I just fell asleep on the couch. Ooops. Guess I’m not a very good hostess!
Today I slept in. Luis came over to make lunch at my house, then had to leave to help haul a fridge up a couple flights of stairs. His parents have an extra flat that they are renting to two of the teachers. The apartment needed a new fridge so Luis and his brother were the lucky ones elected to drag it upstairs (since there isn’t an elevator). I showered and got ready, then went over to Luis’ house to help his mom burn some photo CDs. We got some of them burned, but eventually gave up. I decided to burn the rest at home and we had some tea instead. I don’t think my computer liked the type of CDs we were trying to use and I had others in my apartment. Luis and I went back to my apartment to make dinner, then just relaxed and watched TV. I believe Luis watched a movie, but I just fell asleep on the couch. Ooops. Guess I’m not a very good hostess!
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
More of my daily life
Crap. That’s what went through my mind when I woke up this morning, half hour before my class was supposed to start.
I realized last night that I didn’t have the books I needed to plan the 4th grade science class. Antonio asked to use them and I was planning on going early this morning to figure something out but I didn’t wake up on time. There are workbooks we can use and make worksheets from, but I typically try to do something more original. Antonio wants to focus less on the actually material in the book and more on the kids learning to understand me and adapt to my questions in English. He wants to do something fun and interactive. I completely understand the thought process, but at the same time I’m having a really hard time with this particular group of kids. They frequently don’t listen, participate or cooperate, so it’s really hard to plan something fun and have any sort of success. Today they were awful. I almost burst into tears because I was just so frustrated. I tried to have a heart-to-heart with the 4th graders about games and activities that they like doing so that they feel like they have a say in what we are doing and hopefully, maybe, participate and behave better. I have a list of ideas but we’ll see how it goes next week. Last week I prepared a game of memory with their new vocabulary words and it seemed like the majority of the kids would look at the cards when it wasn’t their turn, change the places of the cards so the other team couldn’t find them, turn over more than two cards, etc, etc.
Diego is leaving because he can’t handle his kids anymore. His replacement is coming tomorrow. There was a rather awkward moment in the teacher’s lounge during recess when another teacher chewed Diego out about leaving again, others were more sympathetic. I can see both sides. Diego was here at the beginning of the year, then left, then came back at Christmas and a week later is leaving again. It’s not fair to the kids to be changing teachers so frequently, but especially today, I understand the frustration with the kids lately.
At the end of the day I tried to go to the 2nd grade class like normal. All year I’ve gone to the 2nd grade class on Wednesdays at 1:15. I showed up and Eugenia said it wasn’t time for English. Whaaaaaat? I went and talked to Javi about my schedule, still desperately trying to keep myself together because of the general frustration of the day. We decided that the 2nd grade class is no longer going to be Wednesdays at the end of the day. Instead I’m going to come in earlier on Thursdays (at 9am) and do the 2nd grade class first thing in the morning. The schedule had indeed changed and they had just forgotten that it affected my schedule. I’m not thrilled about the getting up earlier or having my short day be longer but at least I can get done earlier on Wednesdays (typically my long day) and I’m still done by 11:45 on Thursdays. It seems like my schedule has changed so many times lately. Hopefully this schedule stays the same for awhile. I don’t know if Diego leaving will affect my schedule. I don’t think so, because I don’t have any classes with him, but who knows. I know that there will probably be at least two more teacher changes before the year is over. 2 people on leave are supposed to be coming back. My schedule may change when that happens.
The good part of today was that Amy Smith confirmed she will be coming in April to visit me during Semana Santa (Holy Week)! She will be here for about a week and a half. I’m so excited! I got even more excited when I remembered that I don’t work that week, so we can visit other cities (hopefully Cádiz and Málaga) and I won’t have to worry about getting back in time for work. It’s also only 2 more months until Laura and Chelsea get here! I’m so excited to have visitors!
Today for the adult class in the afternoon I chose a few more challenging, abstract conversation questions in order to force them to think a little more and use different vocabulary. Even my lower level class did pretty well. I was proud.
After class I went out to pick up some chicken. I went to the actual butcher instead of the grocery store and watched them take a whole chicken (not alive or with feathers, but still in its chicken-like shape) and cut the chicken breasts out. I hadn’t seen that before, even here.
I then headed over to another little store to pick up a snack and Almudena was there in her work out clothes getting ready to go to the gym. She took me up to my apartment, I quickly changed clothes and then we headed off to the gym together. I added weight to a bunch of my exercises, added an extra machine, ran and biked for a bit. Almudena graciously waited for me even though had been finished for awhile and then she drove me home.
I came home, did the dishes and tried to clean my apartment. Lately I can’t seem to get my apartment to feel clean. It’s picked up, it just doesn’t feel *clean.* It’s a good thing I have a small apartment or it would never be clean.
I made chicken soup/pasta for dinner. It’s so easy to make and I absolutely love it. You can buy ‘bricks’ (cartons) of chicken broth at the grocery store and you can buy short angel hair pasta noodles (really fine). You just drop the pasta in the chicken broth for 3-4 minutes and Voila! Instant warm and comfort food after walking home from the gym.
I’m tired. It’s already 12:30am. I don’t know where the days go. My intercambio with Paco is cancelled tomorrow because he’s going out of town. Hopefully I can get caught up with cleaning and lesson planning and not feel like I’m running through my day for once.
I realized last night that I didn’t have the books I needed to plan the 4th grade science class. Antonio asked to use them and I was planning on going early this morning to figure something out but I didn’t wake up on time. There are workbooks we can use and make worksheets from, but I typically try to do something more original. Antonio wants to focus less on the actually material in the book and more on the kids learning to understand me and adapt to my questions in English. He wants to do something fun and interactive. I completely understand the thought process, but at the same time I’m having a really hard time with this particular group of kids. They frequently don’t listen, participate or cooperate, so it’s really hard to plan something fun and have any sort of success. Today they were awful. I almost burst into tears because I was just so frustrated. I tried to have a heart-to-heart with the 4th graders about games and activities that they like doing so that they feel like they have a say in what we are doing and hopefully, maybe, participate and behave better. I have a list of ideas but we’ll see how it goes next week. Last week I prepared a game of memory with their new vocabulary words and it seemed like the majority of the kids would look at the cards when it wasn’t their turn, change the places of the cards so the other team couldn’t find them, turn over more than two cards, etc, etc.
Diego is leaving because he can’t handle his kids anymore. His replacement is coming tomorrow. There was a rather awkward moment in the teacher’s lounge during recess when another teacher chewed Diego out about leaving again, others were more sympathetic. I can see both sides. Diego was here at the beginning of the year, then left, then came back at Christmas and a week later is leaving again. It’s not fair to the kids to be changing teachers so frequently, but especially today, I understand the frustration with the kids lately.
At the end of the day I tried to go to the 2nd grade class like normal. All year I’ve gone to the 2nd grade class on Wednesdays at 1:15. I showed up and Eugenia said it wasn’t time for English. Whaaaaaat? I went and talked to Javi about my schedule, still desperately trying to keep myself together because of the general frustration of the day. We decided that the 2nd grade class is no longer going to be Wednesdays at the end of the day. Instead I’m going to come in earlier on Thursdays (at 9am) and do the 2nd grade class first thing in the morning. The schedule had indeed changed and they had just forgotten that it affected my schedule. I’m not thrilled about the getting up earlier or having my short day be longer but at least I can get done earlier on Wednesdays (typically my long day) and I’m still done by 11:45 on Thursdays. It seems like my schedule has changed so many times lately. Hopefully this schedule stays the same for awhile. I don’t know if Diego leaving will affect my schedule. I don’t think so, because I don’t have any classes with him, but who knows. I know that there will probably be at least two more teacher changes before the year is over. 2 people on leave are supposed to be coming back. My schedule may change when that happens.
The good part of today was that Amy Smith confirmed she will be coming in April to visit me during Semana Santa (Holy Week)! She will be here for about a week and a half. I’m so excited! I got even more excited when I remembered that I don’t work that week, so we can visit other cities (hopefully Cádiz and Málaga) and I won’t have to worry about getting back in time for work. It’s also only 2 more months until Laura and Chelsea get here! I’m so excited to have visitors!
Today for the adult class in the afternoon I chose a few more challenging, abstract conversation questions in order to force them to think a little more and use different vocabulary. Even my lower level class did pretty well. I was proud.
After class I went out to pick up some chicken. I went to the actual butcher instead of the grocery store and watched them take a whole chicken (not alive or with feathers, but still in its chicken-like shape) and cut the chicken breasts out. I hadn’t seen that before, even here.
I then headed over to another little store to pick up a snack and Almudena was there in her work out clothes getting ready to go to the gym. She took me up to my apartment, I quickly changed clothes and then we headed off to the gym together. I added weight to a bunch of my exercises, added an extra machine, ran and biked for a bit. Almudena graciously waited for me even though had been finished for awhile and then she drove me home.
I came home, did the dishes and tried to clean my apartment. Lately I can’t seem to get my apartment to feel clean. It’s picked up, it just doesn’t feel *clean.* It’s a good thing I have a small apartment or it would never be clean.
I made chicken soup/pasta for dinner. It’s so easy to make and I absolutely love it. You can buy ‘bricks’ (cartons) of chicken broth at the grocery store and you can buy short angel hair pasta noodles (really fine). You just drop the pasta in the chicken broth for 3-4 minutes and Voila! Instant warm and comfort food after walking home from the gym.
I’m tired. It’s already 12:30am. I don’t know where the days go. My intercambio with Paco is cancelled tomorrow because he’s going out of town. Hopefully I can get caught up with cleaning and lesson planning and not feel like I’m running through my day for once.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Busy, busy, busy
Leave it to me to turn the peaceful, tranquil Spanish lifestyle into a race against the clock. My schedule is packed. I feel like I’m running all day long. I went from having SO much free time during Christmas break to being super busy overnight.
Today I had classes at the infantil all day. I almost had to teach the 5 year olds by myself but luckily Sebas showed up. I don’t mind that I have to plan lessons…but planning a lesson with 30-45 minutes notice? My lesson planning abilities aren’t THAT strong. The teachers were telling me during recess that I need to talk more. This has been an interesting challenge to try and overcome. I totally understand where they are coming from…I am after all an “auxiliary de CONVERSACIÓN (conversation).” It’s hard to incorporate myself into lessons that I didn’t plan. There’s always a place for me, but not really to talk very much, especially if the kids are working on a worksheet or some other quieter activity. I’ll have to think of what I can do.
After classes I went home to do the incredible amount of dishes that have accumulated. Luckily my private lesson cancelled because he’s sick and I got to take a nap.
At 6:30 I had my intercambio with Pacolmo and then I ran to the gym at the very last minute to squeeze in a quick workout (9-10pm). Tuesdays and Thursdays are the days that are hardest for me to get to the gym. If I leave the intercambio at 8:15 or 8:30pm it’s usually ok…I have time to walk to the gym and at least get a decent chunk of my workout done. I never want to be rude though, or seem like I’m in a rush to get out of there though, so frequently I’m at Paco’s house until 8:45 or 9.
Now I need to get my lessons planned, my blog updated, my books read…the list of things I was hoping to accomplish while I’m here has barely been touched. I can’t believe I’ve already been here 3 months. How can it already be halfway through January?!
Today I had classes at the infantil all day. I almost had to teach the 5 year olds by myself but luckily Sebas showed up. I don’t mind that I have to plan lessons…but planning a lesson with 30-45 minutes notice? My lesson planning abilities aren’t THAT strong. The teachers were telling me during recess that I need to talk more. This has been an interesting challenge to try and overcome. I totally understand where they are coming from…I am after all an “auxiliary de CONVERSACIÓN (conversation).” It’s hard to incorporate myself into lessons that I didn’t plan. There’s always a place for me, but not really to talk very much, especially if the kids are working on a worksheet or some other quieter activity. I’ll have to think of what I can do.
After classes I went home to do the incredible amount of dishes that have accumulated. Luckily my private lesson cancelled because he’s sick and I got to take a nap.
At 6:30 I had my intercambio with Pacolmo and then I ran to the gym at the very last minute to squeeze in a quick workout (9-10pm). Tuesdays and Thursdays are the days that are hardest for me to get to the gym. If I leave the intercambio at 8:15 or 8:30pm it’s usually ok…I have time to walk to the gym and at least get a decent chunk of my workout done. I never want to be rude though, or seem like I’m in a rush to get out of there though, so frequently I’m at Paco’s house until 8:45 or 9.
Now I need to get my lessons planned, my blog updated, my books read…the list of things I was hoping to accomplish while I’m here has barely been touched. I can’t believe I’ve already been here 3 months. How can it already be halfway through January?!
Monday, January 17, 2011
Gym, Letters and a Visitor
I don’t think I’ve mentioned this in my blog yet, but during Christmas break a gym opened up here in Siles. I started going because I had so much free time and it was something to do. Originally I was going with Almudena, and she would pick me up in her car but our schedules aren’t meshing very well anymore. That means I get to walk to the gym and back. Really, it isn’t that far. It is however the worst part of going to the gym because after working out my body is hot and it’s really cold outside. The contrast isn’t fun, comfortable or good for me. However, I am loving going to the gym 4-5 days a week. The gym isn’t open on the weekends so I feel more motivated to make sure I go Monday through Friday since I automatically get 2 days off.
Today I did 5 miles on the treadmill. Several years ago I used to love to go run 3 miles but I haven’t been able to do it in a long time. My knees, motivation and time restraints seemed to give me a plethora of reasons not to get it done. I also did 10 minutes on the bike and my entire weight-lifting workout (upping the weight for lots of the machines). Needless to say it was a good workout day (with the exception that dropped a weight on my pinkie and am a little afraid I might lose the nail). It’s really nice because the two guys that run the gym are basically my personal trainers, except I don’t have to pay extra for them. The gym is, of course, smaller than the YMCA I go to in the US but I like it. I still have everything I need and the smaller, tighter environment leaves me more accountable and the trainers more accessible. They know when I show up and when I don’t.
It was also a good day because I got mail. Sadly it still wasn’t my long-lost Christmas packages but I was still very happy. I got Grace and Espen’s wedding save the date and I got a Christmas card from Stephanie and Kyle with the letters that Stephanie’s students wrote my students. I love seeing little envelopes in front of my door when I get home.
Also, Inés stopped in today to say today. She didn’t even know it was her last day until it was her last day. I can’t believe the turn around in those situations is so fast! It was really good to see her. The guy who replaced Inés is already gone. A new teacher named Eugenia is here now and will be teaching Inés second graders as well as the 1st, 2nd and 3rd grade English classes. Like I originally thought the Ministry of Education was supposed to send a replacement for Inés that speaks English, so “New Antonio” couldn’t stay. At least that makes mentioning Antonio(s) in my blog a little easier!
Today I did 5 miles on the treadmill. Several years ago I used to love to go run 3 miles but I haven’t been able to do it in a long time. My knees, motivation and time restraints seemed to give me a plethora of reasons not to get it done. I also did 10 minutes on the bike and my entire weight-lifting workout (upping the weight for lots of the machines). Needless to say it was a good workout day (with the exception that dropped a weight on my pinkie and am a little afraid I might lose the nail). It’s really nice because the two guys that run the gym are basically my personal trainers, except I don’t have to pay extra for them. The gym is, of course, smaller than the YMCA I go to in the US but I like it. I still have everything I need and the smaller, tighter environment leaves me more accountable and the trainers more accessible. They know when I show up and when I don’t.
It was also a good day because I got mail. Sadly it still wasn’t my long-lost Christmas packages but I was still very happy. I got Grace and Espen’s wedding save the date and I got a Christmas card from Stephanie and Kyle with the letters that Stephanie’s students wrote my students. I love seeing little envelopes in front of my door when I get home.
Also, Inés stopped in today to say today. She didn’t even know it was her last day until it was her last day. I can’t believe the turn around in those situations is so fast! It was really good to see her. The guy who replaced Inés is already gone. A new teacher named Eugenia is here now and will be teaching Inés second graders as well as the 1st, 2nd and 3rd grade English classes. Like I originally thought the Ministry of Education was supposed to send a replacement for Inés that speaks English, so “New Antonio” couldn’t stay. At least that makes mentioning Antonio(s) in my blog a little easier!
Sunday, January 16, 2011
A little peace and quiet
Today was a peaceful day. I slept until 1 or 2 and then Luis came over to make lunch. We watched a couple movies (Signs, Miss Congeniality and part of Tormenta Magnetica-Magnetic Storm?), all of which were in Castellano (Spanish). Later on that evening Luis went to go watch the Madrid football game in Nicols (his weekly tradition) and I stayed home to try and find the Seahawks playoff game online. I didn’t have any luck, although I saw via msn.com and everyone’s Facebook statuses that it didn’t go well. I guess I’m not too upset that I couldn’t watch it then. I also got a chance to video chat with my parents but that was about it…a very relaxing day…probably a good thing after my little visit to La Puerta and the fact that I have classes tomorrow!
Saturday, January 15, 2011
A night out in La Puerta
Yesterday I went to La Puerta to visit Ben and Eve (and Erika Martinez). We started off by going to Tejera for tapas and wine. While we were there we shot a small clip for the web series that Ben and Eve are working on (that I got to be in!). Their web series is called Pueblo and inspired by their experiences with small town living in southern Spain. You should check out their website and/or Facebook page. I think it’s going to be pretty awesome.
http://www.pueblotheseries.com/
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pueblotheseries
You can also be friends with Erika Martinez (the main actress) on Facebook. She loves befriending new people.
http://www.facebook.com/#!/erikamrtnz
To clarify, the wonderful and glamorous Erika Martinez is indeed a mannequin head. She frequently rides around in Ben’s backpack and makes frequent appearances in public. I’m really surprised at how many people go out of their way to cater to our crazy requests involving a mannequin head, video camera and microphone. I like to joke around with Ben and Eve that as the only 3 Americans in Siles and La Puerta (combined!) we just don’t stick out enough…we really need to carry around a mannequin head to up the ante a bit.
While we were at Tejera they made us some special tapas to use in the video clip. Everyone also wonders what the heck is going on at first but then people really tend to get into it. It’s hilarious.
Alberto (a friend of Ben and Eve and the guy that drove us to the party in the country house a couple months ago) met us at the restaurant. After tapas and wine at Tejera we went to Paco’s Pub. Ben and Alberto hopped in the car and drove over and Eve and I walked (it was really close). We had one drink there to check it out (Paco’s Pub just recently opened) and then we went over to Trujal. Trujal is Ben and Eve’s to-go hangout spot because it is right next to their apartment. I stayed at Trujal until 6am with Eve (Ben went home around 4 or 4:30). It was quite the night. A group of guys at the bar made a “body” for Erika Martinez out of things they had with them and things they found in the street. They took turns giving her drinks and kisses. (Like I said, it’s really funny to see how people get in it). Alberto also tried to teach me how to clap “properly” with the music. I don’t think I really ever got the hang of it, mostly because I don’t know how what I was doing was any different than what they were doing…but apparently it was. They also put me behind the bar for a short while and let me pour a round of drinks. We paid around 4am thinking we were going to head out shortly, but then we were “invited” to 2-3 more for free. I’m still not sure if a bartender who gives you free shots of tequila is really nice or really cruel.
We eventually headed back to their apartment and I slept in their spare bedroom. Ben and Eve’s apartment is quite a bit bigger than mine. This morning we went for a walk down to the “boat.” There is a big boat constructed in the middle of the river connecting the two sides. The weather was absolutely incredible. It was sunny and warm enough not to need a coat…a BIG change from the weather we’ve had lately. After awhile we continued our walk, explored a new street and then headed to Chapman (a café) for coffee, Nestea and patatas aliolis. When the sun sunk behind the mountain we headed back to their apartment and watched Black Swan. Throughout the day we tried to figure out when there would be a bus to Siles so I could go home, but eventually we just got a hold of Pedro. He agreed to let me go with him at 9:45pm when he was going to work.
When I got home I made some pasta for dinner and then went to 1900 (a bar) with Luis. The other teachers were also there. We hung out with the teachers and played darts. After two games some went home, some stayed, and some went to another bar. We stayed for a short while longer and then I headed home.
http://www.pueblotheseries.com/
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pueblotheseries
You can also be friends with Erika Martinez (the main actress) on Facebook. She loves befriending new people.
http://www.facebook.com/#!/erikamrtnz
To clarify, the wonderful and glamorous Erika Martinez is indeed a mannequin head. She frequently rides around in Ben’s backpack and makes frequent appearances in public. I’m really surprised at how many people go out of their way to cater to our crazy requests involving a mannequin head, video camera and microphone. I like to joke around with Ben and Eve that as the only 3 Americans in Siles and La Puerta (combined!) we just don’t stick out enough…we really need to carry around a mannequin head to up the ante a bit.
While we were at Tejera they made us some special tapas to use in the video clip. Everyone also wonders what the heck is going on at first but then people really tend to get into it. It’s hilarious.
Alberto (a friend of Ben and Eve and the guy that drove us to the party in the country house a couple months ago) met us at the restaurant. After tapas and wine at Tejera we went to Paco’s Pub. Ben and Alberto hopped in the car and drove over and Eve and I walked (it was really close). We had one drink there to check it out (Paco’s Pub just recently opened) and then we went over to Trujal. Trujal is Ben and Eve’s to-go hangout spot because it is right next to their apartment. I stayed at Trujal until 6am with Eve (Ben went home around 4 or 4:30). It was quite the night. A group of guys at the bar made a “body” for Erika Martinez out of things they had with them and things they found in the street. They took turns giving her drinks and kisses. (Like I said, it’s really funny to see how people get in it). Alberto also tried to teach me how to clap “properly” with the music. I don’t think I really ever got the hang of it, mostly because I don’t know how what I was doing was any different than what they were doing…but apparently it was. They also put me behind the bar for a short while and let me pour a round of drinks. We paid around 4am thinking we were going to head out shortly, but then we were “invited” to 2-3 more for free. I’m still not sure if a bartender who gives you free shots of tequila is really nice or really cruel.
We eventually headed back to their apartment and I slept in their spare bedroom. Ben and Eve’s apartment is quite a bit bigger than mine. This morning we went for a walk down to the “boat.” There is a big boat constructed in the middle of the river connecting the two sides. The weather was absolutely incredible. It was sunny and warm enough not to need a coat…a BIG change from the weather we’ve had lately. After awhile we continued our walk, explored a new street and then headed to Chapman (a café) for coffee, Nestea and patatas aliolis. When the sun sunk behind the mountain we headed back to their apartment and watched Black Swan. Throughout the day we tried to figure out when there would be a bus to Siles so I could go home, but eventually we just got a hold of Pedro. He agreed to let me go with him at 9:45pm when he was going to work.
When I got home I made some pasta for dinner and then went to 1900 (a bar) with Luis. The other teachers were also there. We hung out with the teachers and played darts. After two games some went home, some stayed, and some went to another bar. We stayed for a short while longer and then I headed home.
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