England

After spending Christmas in La Palma I decided to meet up with some friends from my program in England. I had told Guadalupe that I was looking at flights and what my upcoming travel plans would be. I expressed some frustration with flight options and the nearest airports not correlating...next thing I know Guadalupe is telling me her and her husband are going to Scotland for the same week that I will be in England. So in the wee hours of the morning on December 27th Guadalupe, her husband and myself drive to the airport and fly to Glasgow together.


We spent the afternoon in Glasgow and then I took off on a train to meet up with my friends in Newcastle, England. Guadalupe had never been to Scotland and she used the opportunity to practice and improve her English. Her husband on the other hand knows very little English (Probably the same amount of Spanish my parents know...). On the flight her husband was asking me how to say some very important phrases to get by in an English speaking country. These are the things he wanted to know: “I’m Sorry,” and “Big beer please.” I found his pronunciation very funny, when he says beer is sounds like bear.

My friends and I spent two days in Newcastle. We toured the city, experienced the nightlife, and went to a Newcastle United soccer game, which was my main reason for wanting to go to Newcastle. The city is very nice and is built along a river. Similar to Portland there were many bridges, some with unique structures. (Infinity bridge in Newcastle)

My friend Joanna and I went to the soccer game. We didn’t get the memo that everyone arrives extremely early for games because when we arrived on time the ticket booths and stairways were completely clear. Everyone was already in the seats cheering. We bought our tickets and basically had the very last seats in the house. We climbed probably 1000 steps to get to our seats...last row.

Not only were we in the very last row but we were also directly between the Newcastle fans (they call themselves the Toon Army because the team is known as The Toon) and the Derby fans. Separated only by a line of police officers. The entire game we listened to the continuous banter back and forth between the two teams. It was never quiet, they literally never quite yelling. It was all very entertaining and the yelling became progressively louder and harsher as the game continued because it was tied 0-0.

We had a good laugh over the different cheers when we could understand them and also had our share of chanting moments. After the game we followed a crowd of people to a local pub and drank some beers. Our other friend met up with us and we continued to pub crawl the rest of the night. We met some fellow Newcastle fans and they “showed” us around the nightlife scene. One individual found me particularly charming and gave me his Newcastle United scarf as a souvenir...

After experiencing what Newcastle had to offer, the next day we took a train to York. York was a very COLD and historic town. It was surrounded by Roman walls and had the beautiful York Minster in its center. The city is located in Northern Yorkshire, England and has a rich heritage that has provided the backdrop to some major political events throughout history.

The first night we took a Ghost tour through the streets of York and learned about some of its most interesting history. The Vikings conquered the city in the Middle Ages and many of the ghost stories consisted of events the towns people encountered during this time.
The next day we went to the Viking museum which I recommend if anyone finds them self in York.

It was freezing there and we found ourselves spending most of the time is tea shops and pubs to escape the cold. After two days we took a train to London. We arrived on New Years Eve, checked into our hostel and hit the streets. (Picture of a little pre-gaming on The Tube)


It was an epic night overall. We spent the evening pub crawling and mingling with people from all over the world. We were entertained the most by some Italians, Peruvians and Persians. At midnight we were in Trafalgar Sq. to watch the fireworks explode over the National History Museum.

It also started snowing just in time for the New Year. It was a very memorable night although my memory is a little hazy...

My friends returned to Spain because they had visited London before but I decided to stay for 2 extra days to explore and sight see. I was very proud of myself for navigating The Tube (London's Subway) all on my own. I was a typical tourist and took a Double Decker bus tour through the city. It was an excellent way to see most of the sights and I had the freedom to hop on and off the bus as I wished to take photos or go in a museum.

(Me being a tourist)
(London Eye)

(London Bridge)
(Trafalgar Square)
(Gates at Buckingham Palace)

After 8 days of traveling I was relieved to finally return to La Palma.

Christmas in Spain

Spain’s traditions during the Christmas season revolve around many of the same activities as in the rest of the world. Just like anywhere else, families in Spain gather together to enjoy and celebrate. Whatever the case the goal is to enjoy a few moments and share in the spirit of giving, kindness, and goodwill. The elements of this exchange are very similar among all cultures: food, drink, song, dance, the exchanging of gifts, and other acts of generosity. But in Spain, Christmas is also a very unique holiday, with beautiful traditions and customs that reflect the true character of the Spanish people. I also noticed that Christmas in Spain still maintains a far more religious aspect then the commercial event it has become in so many other countries.

One symbol of Christmas that still maintains much importance throughout Spain is the Nativity scene. These scenes occupy plazas in cities and small towns throughout the country, and can also be seen in the doorways and entrances of many Spanish homes, as well in storefront windows, and they can be quite elaborate. In many small towns, La Palma included, during the nights just before Christmas, plazas have a live Nativity scene, with actors and actresses playing the parts of Mary and Joseph and the three wise men as well as live animals that are often associated with the birth of Christ, like lambs, sheep, and donkeys.

On December 22, two important events take place. Students are released from school for their winter vacations (like I mentioned in my previous entries), and perhaps more importantly, they announce the winning number of the famous Christmas Lottery in Spain. This lottery, by far the biggest in Spain, is a tradition practiced by many people who long to win the grand prize, which would make them instantly rich. This tradition is deeply embedded in these holidays, dating back to 1763, when Carlos III initiated it. Since then, not one year has passed without it, and it now is the symbolic moment in which Spaniards begin to celebrate the Christmas holidays. All the teachers I work with talk about the lottery obsessively until it passes. Kind of a strange tradition. I didn’t buy a lottery ticket..

Christmas Eve in Spain, called “Nochebuena”, just like in many parts of the world, is celebrated with two very important traditions, eating an enormous and decadent meal with family, and going to Christmas mass. I was welcomed into Guadalupe and her famiy’s home for the holidays. I have spent a great deal of time with Guadalupe and her husband Juan in the last few months and I have become close with their two children Lara and Juan. Lara is 18 and attends the University of Sevilla and Juan is 20 and attends the University of Cadiz. Guadalupe is also one of four daughters who have also raised their families in La Palma. When the whole family is together is reminds me of holidays at home. It was a great experience spending such a celebrated holiday in another country and I was thrilled to be spending it with a family that I am growing close to.



There is a wide variety of typical foods one might find on plates across Spain on this night and even more interesting is each region has its own distinct specialties. Among typical dishes served on Christmas Eve and during the days that follow are ham and seafood in Andalucia. I am learning about the enormous variety of seafood that exists in this country, including shrimp, lobster, crab, and various types of fish like hake, trout, sea bream, sea bass, and salmon.

After dinner the children enjoy the gifts that they have received from “Papa Noel”, the Spanish equivalent of Santa Claus. The custom of giving gifts on this date is not as popular as in the United States because Spaniards traditionally wait until Three King’s Day to exchange gifts. I was included in the gift giving and received some very thoughtful presents.

Christmas Party!

The end of the Christmas program marked the end of school for both the students and teachers for 2009. All the students were officially on break and went home with their parents.

All the teachers on the other hand were ready to celebrate!

Our Christmas lunch and party had been highly anticipated by me for a couple days and I was really excited for the opportunity to get to know the fellow teachers outside the classrooms. (Me with my new best friend Guadalupe!)

This ended up being some of the most fun I have had since arriving in Spain. We had a lunch that consisted of multiple courses, deserts, and an open bar. The meal lasted over 3 hours. (Gambas - served at basically every meal and I have learned to love them..)

When the lunch was over I thought that meant the evening was over but boy was I wrong! The open bar extended the rest of the evening, there was a DJ, a dance floor, and all the schools in the local area celebrating at the same location.

My favorite part was seeing some of the strictest and more conservative teachers ‘let loose.’ The music selection ranged from current popular songs to Grease Lightening and traditional Spanish songs with traditional dances (mostly Flamenco). I was a little shy at first to participate in all the dancing because well 'I don't dance' and the Spanish have very good moves and always look so good dancing.

However, after a few drinks and plenty of people pulling me onto the dance floor, I couldn’t resist any longer and I gave in. I learned a few flamenco moves and I showed them a few of my own moves as well... As many of you know after a few drinks I like to get my dance on just as much as the next person. (All the teachers doing a conga line!)

The whole evening was very fun and I experienced my first work Christmas party, Spanish style. I can walk away from the evening feeling closer to each teacher after breakin it down on the dance floor with them.

Christmas Program

Having performed in six St. Clare Christmas programs and attended almost ten, I figured helping out with Manuel Siurots would be no problem. When asked to teach a few of the classes English Christmas carols i was thrilled with the idea. How hard can it be right? Well, let me tell you, this was one of the hardest tasks I have tackled so far. We sang Frosty the Snowman so many times I wouldn’t be sad if I never had to hear the song again! 365 days seems as though it will come too soon! But all the frustrations aside, the program turned out relatively well and I found myself bursting with pride when all my students successfully performed their songs.

Spain’s idea of a Christmas program is much more relaxed and how to put this nicely...unrehearsed when It came to putting on a show for all the parents. My main responsibility was to teach the classes songs in English. I was amazed when we showed up on the performance day and the entire gym had been turned into a stage and all the classes were showing up in amazing costumes. The 3 year olds were dressed as Three Keys, the 4 year olds were Christmas Trees, there were elves, carolers, and jazz routines. The mix of Spanish and English was hilarious and rough around the edges but I was flattered with the schools attempt to include me and “show-off” its bilingualism. The program lasted almost 3 hours because each grade performed 1-2 songs and there are two classes for each grade. The gym was packed with parents and everyones spirits were very high. I took many pictures and have film clips of the various performances.
The 3 year olds sang “Tres Reyes sabios vienen de Oriente”

The 4 year olds sang “El arbol de Navidad”

5 year olds sang and danced to “Es muy bonito ser amigos” and “Ya vienen los Reyes Magos”

First grade (both classes combined) sang “Compartir es amor”

Second grade (both classes combined) sang “Jingle Bells” and “Nana”

Third grade one of the classes danced to two different Christmas carols and the other third grade class sang “Oh Merry Christmas” and “Tres Camellos”

Fourth grade one of the classes sang “I have a Dream” from Mama Mia and the ABBA music collection. I would just like to say I had nothing to do with this classes song choice, their teacher is learning English and wanted to pick her own song! When she asked me if it would work for the Christmas program I said “sure, why not!”

The other Fourth grade danced and sang to “Todo se puede lograr”

Fifth level performed with instruments to “Hacia Belen va una burra” and “Navidad, Navidad”

And for the finale was Sixth grade singing “Frosty the Snowman”

Thanksgiving

Spending the holidays away from home and the people you love is always difficult but luckily I have befriended plenty of Americans in my same situation. We gathered in Bollullos Par del Condado, which is a small town only 5 minutes from mine. We invited friends from all across Andalucia, both Spanish and American. (Photos is of Tamia a girl from my program who also lives in my town and I spend a lot of time with)

Everyone contributed to the feast and I am actually quite pleased with how everything turned out. We had a good mix of Spanish and American foods. We were able to track down a turkey and even cook it. We had stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, salads and everything else you can imagine. The only thing missing was cranberry sauce!

I was given the responsibility of carving the turkey, don’t ask me why, and its not as easy as it looks.

My roommate took on the task of baking 3 pies from scratch. They turned out delicious and now I know how to bake an apple pie!

The days leading up to Thanksgiving I was able to squeeze a small lesson into each of my classes. I showed a slideshow of pictures from past Thanksgivings and included historical information, the Macy’s Day parade, and watching American football. Then I had my students color Thanksgiving photos and they also had an assignment to research the holiday and write about what they learned in English. Part of my responsibility is to make sure the “English Corner” is always up to date, so for homework I had students print photos and information off the internet to decorate the bulletin board.