The North

Llanes, Asturias

  After finding a 5€ RyanAir flight from Sevilla to Santander for June 7th, I decided it was finally time to see more of Northern Spain and visit a friend who had moved up there from Sevilla. Besides being unseasonably chilly, the North did not disappoint. I spent a few days in Santander, went to the Picos de Europa mountains, and then to Llanes and Oviedo, Asturias. After living for two years in Andalucía, going to the North gave me a bit of culture shock: it seems like a totally different country. The culture , accent, food, scenery, climate, were so distinct from Andalucía, yet there were little similarities that reminded me that both belong to Spain. I have always loved the North of Spain and now have been able to see Galicia, Castilla Leon, Asturias, Cantábria, Each of them is unique in their own way and I would love to explore more of those regions when I get the chance to return to Spain.

Saying goodbye

 My two years at the high school in Cartaya City came to an end yesterday, and it was really hard to say goodbye. There were awkward, beautiful speeches, many tears, photo opps,  the cutest gifts, surprise parties, Sevillanas dancing, and so much more. My students and coworkers have been such a great part of my time here in Spain and it's hard to express all the emotions of leaving this and heading into the uncertain future of my life back in the States. I have learned so much and had such a wonderful experience here on the Costa de la Luz and I know I will be back to visit in the years to come. For now, I have a trip to Cantábria and Asturias planned, then passing back through here for two more goodbye parties and a flight home on June 19th.

My don Quijote statue.  Love it.

 

Things are heating up

 In one day it seems we went from winter to summer here in Ayamonte. Today is only day four of the heat wave and it has been glorious. The beach, kayaking adventures, beautiful warm evenings and sunsets, non-stop good times. Today is the Romería de la Bella in Lepe and some 100,000 people are off to honor the virgen and march out to the country side (well, really, they'll just get dressed up and drink for a few days). I was planning on going, but with this hot weather, I think I'll be more content relaxing on the beach and not being around that many sweaty, drunk  (but beautiful) people. I've only got three hours to make up my mind...

'Captain Cody' and 'First Mate Mario' arrive to the Int'l Bridge

Tragedy

All you see are blue skies in the background, so, why is it raining you ask?

It's because I did my laundry, and everytime I do so, a black cloud rolls in over Ayamonte.

Sigh. I will be back in the land of dryers and bounce static control in no time. 

Complaint over. Back to enjoying life in Spain.

Things to look forward to

In less than 2 months, I'll be getting on a plane in Faro, Portugal bound for the other side of the pond and I've finally realized there is a lot to look forward to over there in the US of A:

1. Seeing family and friends, some that I haven't seen in 9 months, others that I haven't seen in 5+ years. This is definitely what I'm looking to most.
2. Modern world conviences like hot water, heating/air conditioning, internet that works, an oven, dryers, customer service, banks, etc. that are open after 2pm
3. My first summer in Alaska since I was a toddler: outdoor activities galore, 20 hours of daylight, catching up with my hometown that I left nearly 6 years ago.

Home sweet Sitka, Alaska

 4. A decent paying job, saving money for future endeavors.
5. Not being the token foreigner in social situations.
6. Driving.. if I can remember how.
7. Gearing up to move to Bellingham and finally finish my degree by next June.
8. Starting a brand new post-Spain chapter of my life, for better for worse.

Das Leben ist zu kurz, um Deutsch zu lernen

 

Beautiful Prague, Czech Republic

 
 This spring has been a busy one with travels and well, the occasional four day work week. A definite highlight  has been my 8 day road trip with friends through Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and the Czech Republic. It was a cold, beautiful, cultural experience, and so much more. I've officially been to 11 countries now, but at the end of every trip I take I always end up with the same feeling: there's no place like home. Or at least my home for only two more months, eSpain.

When road trips go wrong

An atypical day

Or, a typical Monday-Thursday in eSpain for this Alaskeña

7:00 Alarm goes off (then again at 7:05,7:10, 7:19)
7:20 Really get up, make coffee, shower, eat toast, grab bag, run out the door.
8:02 Meet with Manolo/Raquel for ride to work
8:26:30 Get to Cartaya, grab photocopies, etc. Go to class.
8:30 Shout good morning at 25ish half asleep Spanish faces, attempt to teach them math or science in Engrish.
9:30 Repeat with another class/ free hour to prepare class / study / wander the pueblo
10:30 Meeting to revise materials/ more class
11:30 Jaywalk highway to the bakery bar with other teachers, drink a manchado, talk about the universe.
11:52 Run back across the highway, try not to get hit by old men on tractors or young men on motos
12:00-2:00/3:00 More meetings/ class/ messing around/ chit-chatting
2:30-3:30 Get back to Ayamonte, cook, eat some lunch
4:00-6:30 Celebrate siesta, sunbathe on the terrace, go to the beach, read, watch tv, do cleaning, meet with friends, grocery shop, merendar.
6:30-9:00 Weight lifting classes/swimming at gym, biking, or Portuguese class
9:15 or later, Get home, make dinner, prepare stuff for next day, answer emails, bond with the roomies
between 11pm and 1am: sleep again, dream in Spanglish





I'm going to be sad to say goodbye to this glorious time in my life, Father Time, please don't tick away too quickly, there's so much more Spain and I have got to do.
To start off, in the past three weeks I've taken two big trips: one roadtrip through Eastern Andalucía (La Alpujarra, Almería, Mini-Hollywood, Guadix, and Graná again) and a whirlwhind weekend in Madrid.
Next weekend is looking like a goodbye party for our German roomate, a quick trip to Sevilla, then off to Germany on the 31st for 8 days!!