Today is actually April 28th. I was in Spain for four months and it has taken me four months to get into a routine and start catching up on things. I doesn’t hurt/help that I am trying to get a job now that student teaching is done, so I have waiting time.

Friday, November 7, 2008

When Mom was ready for the day, I took her for the tour of Madrid. We pretty much did the whole thing, and Mom was tired. I did explain that I usually do the tour in two days, but Mom exercises a lot and doesn’t meander at exhibits etc.

We then picked up the girls from school. I don’t remember if I mentioned it, but Bryce was picked up last week and wasn’t her usual smile and wave kid. She had her head down etc “uh oh, what happened.” Her English Teacher came over and told me that she was playing with the scissors while they were making spiders for Halloween. She cut her nose. She still has the slight scare on the top. Brent says that she was smelling the Spanish scissors to see if they are any different from American scissors.

While we have been in Spain, everyone has had school, except me. Kelly and Chelsea have had a internship where they are working at this Spa. The spa is run by a doctor and a physical therapist. The ladies put together rehabilitation exercise programs for the patients and use their Spanish. They work Thursdays and Fridays. They are also taking a volleyball class, which both are avid players and fans.

All of the students are enrolled in a Spanish class at the University. Brent was going, but it was WAY over his head - so he dropped. He goes to school almost every day to work on research and projects with Alfonso. Steve and Laurie also worked on some projects with Jonathan, who is in the same department as Alfonso.

Saturday, November 8, 2008

Today’s goal was to get Mom a manicure and hair done. I really don’t know if this is possible, because I haven’t seen places - I wasn’t really looking for them. We went to the center of Boadilla, by where our famous bus stop is, the train stop, and the sandwich stop.

We found a place for Jocelyn to get her hair cut. With my broken Spanish, the lady understood. I gave Jocelyn the dictionary and pointed out the words short and same - so same haircut but shorter. The lady came and took her away. We were able to take pictures and watch. Jocelyn was watching everything. She was really afraid of the lady that was the barber - because of how quick and short she cut the boys’ hair. I explained the concept to her, and she was relieved. Jocelyn was successful in explaining, but it wasn’t short enough. I explained that it had been six months, so cut it short. Her hair was adorable.

We then found a place for my Mom, but not a nail place. I found one after we ran out of time during her visit. Really, who goes to Europe and thinks that they can continue the exact same routine that they have at home - hello - stay home!!!

That night we were invited with Mom to dinner at Alvaro’s home. Alvaro was one of the students who came out from Spain to take a semester at ASU. He started to live with our friend Mark, but decided mid-way, that he wanted to really get to enjoy ASU and live on campus instead. Needless to say, his study behaviors in the second half didn’t match the first half of his journey.

We had to caravan to Alvaro’s. We followed Alvaro’s dad in Ana’s car, so we would get there okay, and then use Tomtom to get home. Mom and I rode with Alvaro’s dad who didn’t speak any Spanish, while Alvaro rode with Brent and the girls. I was able to keep a logical conversation with him, even though I thought I missed most. I was quizzed and caught a significant amount of the conversation - Yea Me!!!

Alvaro lived near the first train stop, we recognized the surroundings. He lived in a 10 story apartment building. They were on the 7th floor. There are only two apartments per building. It had marble floors and chandeliers with low ceiling (don’t understand) and was very nice. Lots of little rooms.

The girls were slated to sit the front room to eat, while the rest of squished around the dining room table. Alvaro lives at home with his parents, his sister who is a lawyer, and his little brother who is in high school and a foot taller than Alvaro. It is customary to live at home until you get married or move in with your significant other.

Dinner was wonderful. They had boquerones en vinagre solo para mi. They had the anchovies in vinegar just for me - my favorite and a motif with me and the Spaniards - they all served it to me because they all remembered that I loved it!!! How awesome is that?!!!

Alvaro’s dad is a journalist and his mom is a producer of TV shows. They were charming people and we so thoroughly enjoyed their hospitality. They continued to ask questions about how Alvaro was in Arizona. A difficult conversation topic that we couldn’t skirt around - which made things interesting!!!

Alvaro’s dad loaded us up with wine. He is a total wine aficionado, even in Spain. It was so cool to hear his suggestions and then be able to go and get them without a lot of bank!!!

Leaving the evening was very difficult. You never want to leave because you don’t want this once in a lifetime event to end. That is the summation of my journey to Europe!!!

We were stopped by the Civil Guardia on the way home. This is the traffic police of Spain. The actual Policia is in charge of the bigger things. We have heard stories about them, so we were scared to have any contact with them. Stories where people were pulled over and charged $400 for nothing. They had a check point set up. They stopped us and I didn’t understand a word. They didn’t understand a word either and waived us on. I figured out after the fact, that Ana’s head light was burning out!!! Keep this in mind as our story continues!!!