This is a little late - sorry guys, I've just been very very busy and tired at the end of the day. I also won't bore you with details seeing as it was a while ago... Check out my photos on faceyb.
Ok so never travel by AVE (the high speed train) when you are still drunk... Basically I went out with some spaniards on the Thursday night before my train on the Friday morning (at 8.30am!) This involved me getting home at 7, getting changed and going straight to the station where I consumed 13 euros worth of McDonalds before passing out on the train. I woke up about 40 minutes before I had to get off. (It's over a 5 hour journey). Ooopsie.
Then I met up with Bex and we headed to our lovely hostel, I'm considering working there this summer if I don't find anything paid. We later headed out to a Flamenco show, what better a place than Andalucia and Seville! It was simply fantastic! So passionate!
Saturday we got up early; despite the rain and visited the Alcazar, Cathedral and bullring museum all before a late lunch. We then headed down to the feria which was amazing, everybody was in traditional dress and on horses. You should definitely try and experience it.
Sunday we wandered before heading home. On Monday and Tuesday I met up with friends in Barcelona, ate lots of asian cuisine and walked up to the Castle on Montjuic. A tiring couple of days when I was back at work today but well worth it.
This weekend I'm off to Santiago de Compostela and I have a Catalan test on Monday.. eeek!
Adios!
Wednesday, 2 May 2012
Wednesday, 25 April 2012
Sant Jordi (St George's day) is celebrated in Catalonia.
I was excited to learn that England and Catalonia share the same patron saint and therefore they would be having celebrations. They traditionally give roses to girls and books to boys. At school it was celebrated through a literature competition where books were given as prizes to children who had written the best texts in their year group. It was lovely, then they all sang some songs which included Puff the magic dragon in Catalan!It was amazing! I recieved two roses, one from the school and one from a local bar owner whose bar we go to every day. You can check out the photo on my instagram account.The children from 6th grade sold 2nd hand books (I bought one) for 1 euro and roses for 3 euros to the local community.
Later on in the day I wandered around Les Rambles and Rambla Cataluna where there were hundreds of stalls selling roses and books. I bought a second hand book for 3 euros and was given a free one off someone on the street. Result! It was so busy though, I don't know if I could go every year.
Then with some people from my Catalan class we went to watch a similar awards ceremony to the one at my school in the morning, just with adult Catalan students ad we listened to an author read an except from his book.
It was such an interesting day, even if completely different to how it's celebrated in England.
Later on in the day I wandered around Les Rambles and Rambla Cataluna where there were hundreds of stalls selling roses and books. I bought a second hand book for 3 euros and was given a free one off someone on the street. Result! It was so busy though, I don't know if I could go every year.
Then with some people from my Catalan class we went to watch a similar awards ceremony to the one at my school in the morning, just with adult Catalan students ad we listened to an author read an except from his book.
It was such an interesting day, even if completely different to how it's celebrated in England.
My weekend in Cordoba.
I spent this weekend in Cordoba with Bex (Becky as I seemed to call her a few times for no reason), Jack and George the chimp. I travelled by AVE, what a lovely train journey, I got to see the scenery of most of Spain at 300km/h, and watch a couple of films too.
The first day we wandered around the city for the afternoon before eating like kings in the evening at an amazing restaurant, I had chicken in a cheese and cava sauce, I can still taste it now... yummy. On the Saturday we visited the Mezquita which is a cathedral built within an older Mosque, the blend of the two cultures and styles of architecture is stunning and really encapsulates Spain's Moorish past linked to its more recent Christian history.
We also visited the Alazar, a former palace with some of the most beautiful gardens I have seen, pools of water and plants of such a range of colours, it was simply amazing. You can check out my photos on facebook, can't upload then to blogger right now as I'm not blogging from my computer.
We also had a rather strange encounter with the gypsies, who you should always be aware of as they are known for pickpocketing. We were sitting on a bench in the sun when one of the most elaborate begging scenes unfolded. This involved a little girl of about 7 talking to us for a while before returning a bit later with a baby, asking us to hold him! Shocked doesn't cover our reaction. She then asked us for money, we declined and made a hasty escape. We had ice cream at 8.30pm, it was that warm, and then we relaxed, our legs were killing due to all that walking!
On the Sunday we wandered again and sunbathed a little, it was 28degrees, had to be done. Then we parted ways and I got the AVE back to Barcelona, such a wonderful weekend.
The first day we wandered around the city for the afternoon before eating like kings in the evening at an amazing restaurant, I had chicken in a cheese and cava sauce, I can still taste it now... yummy. On the Saturday we visited the Mezquita which is a cathedral built within an older Mosque, the blend of the two cultures and styles of architecture is stunning and really encapsulates Spain's Moorish past linked to its more recent Christian history.
We also visited the Alazar, a former palace with some of the most beautiful gardens I have seen, pools of water and plants of such a range of colours, it was simply amazing. You can check out my photos on facebook, can't upload then to blogger right now as I'm not blogging from my computer.
We also had a rather strange encounter with the gypsies, who you should always be aware of as they are known for pickpocketing. We were sitting on a bench in the sun when one of the most elaborate begging scenes unfolded. This involved a little girl of about 7 talking to us for a while before returning a bit later with a baby, asking us to hold him! Shocked doesn't cover our reaction. She then asked us for money, we declined and made a hasty escape. We had ice cream at 8.30pm, it was that warm, and then we relaxed, our legs were killing due to all that walking!
On the Sunday we wandered again and sunbathed a little, it was 28degrees, had to be done. Then we parted ways and I got the AVE back to Barcelona, such a wonderful weekend.
Monday, 16 April 2012
Out of a Semana Santa enduced coma...
So most of you will know I had a pretty hectic ten days of Semana Santa, my god it hit me! Thursday afternoon, after somehow making it through 3 days of lessons I crashed, I had headaches and was literally exhausted I didn't even leave my bed until Saturday afternoon. except to go to the toilet/get tiny amount of food. I know gross right. By Sunday morning I was feeling better and got over 1000 words done on my French essay, it's more or less there now only conclusions and silly referencing to go. I finished my latest article for thirdyearabroad.com this afternoon after school and the gym and then chilled and did little errands. Off to Catalan class, luckily we didn't have homework as such, just to review last weeks work, so I should be a little bit more awake than I was on Wednesday last week. I've also booked another trip with Catania, this time we are off to Santiago de Compostella in May, very excited. This weekend I'm heading to Cordoba with Bex, Jack and my beloved nephew George the chimp, only 3 and a half days to go - can't wait!!
A pretty boring week, filled with sleep, but by god was it needed!!
A pretty boring week, filled with sleep, but by god was it needed!!
Tuesday, 10 April 2012
Why my clothes smell of incense: Semana Santa, Photos etc..
I'm not going to bore you all talking about each individual procession. There was a lot of incense though, hence the title... So I'm going to stick in a few photos for you to look at so that you can see what the Semana Santa (Holy Week) processions looked like in Malaga. I went down to Malaga as Semana Santa is much bigger in the south of Spain than here in Catalonia. So here are a few of my favourites depicting the floats (which are each carried by about 200-250 men), the traditional costumes and a few others:
I also went to a bullfight. I would recommend that everybody does this before they make up their mind about the issue. The atmosphere is simply indescribable, the people are lovely and the music and costumes are amazing. My ticket cost me a mere 10euros so it is worth the experience, if nothing more. Here are a couple of photos (don't worry none is gruesome)
We also spent time at the beach and partying, a very tiring long weekend, but well worth it! Culture, partying, culture, beach, a perfect blend for a year abroad.
Then yesterday I headed up to Pals and met up with the King family, I had a lovely relaxing day and even rode a bike! Something which I haven't done in years!
Hasta luego!
Thursday, 5 April 2012
A first glimpse of Semana Santa.
Catania and I arrived yesterday, after a slightly delayed flight, hopped two buses a cross town to reach our hostel and checked in. What a lovely quaint hostel it is, it is more of a guest house, it feels like we are staying in our own little bedroom rather than a dorm, the owner is lovely, really helpful and has two little cute dogs running around everywhere.
After stocking up on supplies we headed into the centre to watch our first Andalusian Semana Santa parade, simply amazing. The traditional costumes were sombre and there were floats of Christ being crucified which were being carried on the shoulders of literally a hundred or so men each time. Part of me was surprised there was any population left available to watch the parade due to the amount of people taking part. We watched the parade from 9pm until just after 11pm before heading for some tapas for tea and then home to bed afterwards.
Great first day - can't wait for the rest of the weekend.
Adios!
After stocking up on supplies we headed into the centre to watch our first Andalusian Semana Santa parade, simply amazing. The traditional costumes were sombre and there were floats of Christ being crucified which were being carried on the shoulders of literally a hundred or so men each time. Part of me was surprised there was any population left available to watch the parade due to the amount of people taking part. We watched the parade from 9pm until just after 11pm before heading for some tapas for tea and then home to bed afterwards.
Great first day - can't wait for the rest of the weekend.
Adios!
Tuesday, 3 April 2012
Tourguiding all done :(
As I write this my parents hopefully are on the plane on their way back to England. I'm exhausted! But it was worth it, I had an amazing time! Yesterday we did the Barcelona Bus Turistic, it was a great way to rest our feet after two days of walking and see the the city from a completely different perspective. We started off at Parc Guell, which my parents loved, my mum wants to come back and explore it again for a longer period of time. We did all of the bus routes, up round Tibidabo, a monastery, Montjuic, the new redevelopment down near the beach - everything! If anyone is going to Barcelona I completely recommend it; I was sceptical at first but my mum had heard good things about the tour and wanted to do it, so I went too (especially as they were paying) and then I had an amazing day. Sometimes it is good to be a shameless tourist in Barcelona and not care, I learnt loads of interesting facts about different buildings and parts of the city too, so it was definitely worth the money. We also went for a coffee in Palau de Musica, a simply amazing Modernisme building:
Later on we went to the Columbus monument, where there is a viewing platform built inside at 52m and headed up to check out the views. My dad (who is petrified of heights) suggested it, and came up! I was shocked but so proud at the same time and the views were most definitely worth it, it was simply amazing you could see out to see, to the mountains, down la Rambla, definitely one of Barcelona's hidden gems.
We ate at Les Quinze Nits again in the evening, and had yet another fantastic meal before coffees and bed.
Today, after dropping the suitcases off at my house in the morning, buy some cheap umbrellas as it was chucking it down with rain and stopping for a croissant and coffee at one of the lovely little coffee shops near my house we headed to the Museum of Catalan History. This is an absolutely fantastic museum and it only cost us 2euros each to go in with our book of discount vouchers. It is really informative and really interactive, you get to click lots of buttons and play a lot as well as finding out some really interesting facts.
Then we had lunch, picked up the suitcases and headed to the airport.
A piece of advice - easyjet check in (although it says terminal 2 on the ticket) is actually a separate building which is quite a walk away, it was a good job we had left plenty of time to make the flight! I'll definitely be remembering that in June when I fly back to the UK. My parents flight was delayed, but at least it wasn't cancelled. I'm now really excited to go to Malaga for the end of Semana Santa tomorrow with Catania. So I'll write a blog about all of those adventures on Sunday evening.
Hasa Domingo!
Later on we went to the Columbus monument, where there is a viewing platform built inside at 52m and headed up to check out the views. My dad (who is petrified of heights) suggested it, and came up! I was shocked but so proud at the same time and the views were most definitely worth it, it was simply amazing you could see out to see, to the mountains, down la Rambla, definitely one of Barcelona's hidden gems.
We ate at Les Quinze Nits again in the evening, and had yet another fantastic meal before coffees and bed.
Today, after dropping the suitcases off at my house in the morning, buy some cheap umbrellas as it was chucking it down with rain and stopping for a croissant and coffee at one of the lovely little coffee shops near my house we headed to the Museum of Catalan History. This is an absolutely fantastic museum and it only cost us 2euros each to go in with our book of discount vouchers. It is really informative and really interactive, you get to click lots of buttons and play a lot as well as finding out some really interesting facts.
Then we had lunch, picked up the suitcases and headed to the airport.
A piece of advice - easyjet check in (although it says terminal 2 on the ticket) is actually a separate building which is quite a walk away, it was a good job we had left plenty of time to make the flight! I'll definitely be remembering that in June when I fly back to the UK. My parents flight was delayed, but at least it wasn't cancelled. I'm now really excited to go to Malaga for the end of Semana Santa tomorrow with Catania. So I'll write a blog about all of those adventures on Sunday evening.
Hasa Domingo!
Sunday, 1 April 2012
Palm Sunday in Barcelona
Today was another amazing day showing my parents around Barcelona. We got an early start and headed to watch the Palm Sunday procession in the centre of the city which was lovely, a band, a float of Jesus on a donkey and people waving palms and burning incense. We popped into the church after the parade had left and I ended up talking to one of the women for quite some time, she was explaining the traditions and the saints and all sorts, it was really interesting.
We then wandered to the cathedral where we watched a crowd of people all getting their palms blessed whilst we sat with a drink. Then we got to watch some people dancing the Sardana (the Catalan national dance) outside the cathedral before we headed down through the Gothic quarter to Santa Maria del Mar, an absolutely gorgeous church. We looked at the nearby memorial which commemorates the siege of Barcelona in 1714. We then popped down a little back alley and found a tiny one room museum about the fore mentioned siege, but it was all in Catalan so we didn't stay long as my parents can't speak Catalan and I couldn't be bothered translating it all. Although the people at the door did seem a little shocked when I whipped out the Catalan on them. :p
We then headed down by the port and grabbed some tapas for lunch, I had to do all the translating and ordering as I took my parents to a local place where they don't speak any English. Then my mum popped back to the hotel for a bit of a rest whilst my dad and I wandered a little more around the centre and the Gothic quarter, bought the tourist bus tickets for tomorrow and sat and chilled with an ice cream and a coffee.
Then we all headed back out for dinner at Les Quinze Nits, amazing restaurant which I take everyone too, it's such good quality food in a lovely place at a good price. Then we headed back to near their hotel for a couple of drinks, and then parted ways to turn in for the night; up early tomorrow for the tourist bus route!
I love being a personal tour guide, its fun.
Hasta manana!
:)
We then wandered to the cathedral where we watched a crowd of people all getting their palms blessed whilst we sat with a drink. Then we got to watch some people dancing the Sardana (the Catalan national dance) outside the cathedral before we headed down through the Gothic quarter to Santa Maria del Mar, an absolutely gorgeous church. We looked at the nearby memorial which commemorates the siege of Barcelona in 1714. We then popped down a little back alley and found a tiny one room museum about the fore mentioned siege, but it was all in Catalan so we didn't stay long as my parents can't speak Catalan and I couldn't be bothered translating it all. Although the people at the door did seem a little shocked when I whipped out the Catalan on them. :p
We then headed down by the port and grabbed some tapas for lunch, I had to do all the translating and ordering as I took my parents to a local place where they don't speak any English. Then my mum popped back to the hotel for a bit of a rest whilst my dad and I wandered a little more around the centre and the Gothic quarter, bought the tourist bus tickets for tomorrow and sat and chilled with an ice cream and a coffee.
Then we all headed back out for dinner at Les Quinze Nits, amazing restaurant which I take everyone too, it's such good quality food in a lovely place at a good price. Then we headed back to near their hotel for a couple of drinks, and then parted ways to turn in for the night; up early tomorrow for the tourist bus route!
I love being a personal tour guide, its fun.
Hasta manana!
:)
Saturday, 31 March 2012
The parents arrive...
So after a pretty average week, Catalan class, school, oh
and a massive general strike on Thursday! Barcelona was completely shut down by
the protestors, the metro only ran between 6.30 and 9.30am as well as between 6
and 9pm – crazy! I avoided the centre, the riots, the anarchists and vandalism
and instead spent my day on the beach. What a lovely way to spend the day,
chilling in the sun with friends and fruit on the beach. Friday I mainly
chilled and attempted to do a little more uni work as I know I won’t be getting
anymore done this week.
Today my parents arrived, nice and early, I met them at the
airport with a little sign with their names on and everything. Because I’m that
silly. After dropping the bags off at my flat we wandered down Rambla Catalyuna
where they have made some gorgeous crafts out of palm leaves for Palm Sunday
tomorrow, they were gorgeous, everything from tiny little crosses to massive
sticks with such intricate handmade flowers decorating them, truly lovely.
(pictures to follow) Then I took them down la Rambla, into La Boqueria market
and down to the port. We then headed back up and moved the suitcases from my
flat and dumped them at the hotel which is lovely and very chic and modern, if
anyone needs a good hotel in Barcelona you should stay at the Roommate Emma,
its lovely.
We then headed up to Montjuic and watched the magic fountain
show before going into Arena, an old bullring which had been converted into a
shopping centre, where we sat and had a coffee. We then headed back into the
centre and sat with cocktails, patatas bravas and Spanish omelette sandwiches
in a gorgeous terrace bar listening to live jazz music.
The perfect end to their first day in Barcelona, I’m excited
for the next few days with them.
Hasta manana guys!
X-x-x
Sunday, 25 March 2012
A weekend in Granada
So I am just back from an absolutely amazing weekend in Granada where I stayed with Bex for a few days. I flew down at lunchtime on Thursday, I was delayed for about 15 minutes, but it wasn't too bad. The flight was good and I managed to arrive in Granada unharmed. After dropping my stuff off at Bex's flat we wandered around the city. Wow! It's simply beautiful, I haven't visited the south of Spain for a few years and it was lovely to see the Moorish architecture and white houses which I feel in love with long ago. It was as though a long lost love had been rekindled. In the evening we ate in a Moorish restaurant which was simply delicious, I had Arab flat bread, a kebab, chicken with plums and almonds and Moorish tea. So yummy!
Friday was when the adventures really started - we headed up to the Sierra Nevada, a ski resort about 45 minutes away from Granada, we managed to see the last of the snow, most of it had melted. The base level of the resort was pretty deserted and I can't imagine what it would be like in the winter when it is full of people and now a ghost town. We got the cable car up to around 8200feet and this was really worth it. The views were simply fantastic and it was alive with skiers and snowboarders! I loved the atmosphere up there and there were some of the most beautiful views I have ever seen. Here you can see me and Bex at the top level, you couldn't get right up to the 3300m level without using a chairlift and being on skis/snowboard. It was surprisingly warm, we got all coated up and didn't even need our hats/scarves/gloves, it proves that it really was the end of the winter sports season.
Later we went out for drinks at an Irish bar, I had a lethal Japanese iced tea, although I don't think that it was that lethal.... We stayed up until the clocks changed, it's the first time I've seen my watch go from 1.59am to 3.00am, very strange! This morning Bex and I chilled and watched John Bishop's week of hell for sports relief before I flew back to Barcelona, uploaded all my photos and blogged.
A fantastic weekend, I can't wait to go to Cordoba with Bex and Jack in 3 weeks!
Hasta Manana!
x
Friday was when the adventures really started - we headed up to the Sierra Nevada, a ski resort about 45 minutes away from Granada, we managed to see the last of the snow, most of it had melted. The base level of the resort was pretty deserted and I can't imagine what it would be like in the winter when it is full of people and now a ghost town. We got the cable car up to around 8200feet and this was really worth it. The views were simply fantastic and it was alive with skiers and snowboarders! I loved the atmosphere up there and there were some of the most beautiful views I have ever seen. Here you can see me and Bex at the top level, you couldn't get right up to the 3300m level without using a chairlift and being on skis/snowboard. It was surprisingly warm, we got all coated up and didn't even need our hats/scarves/gloves, it proves that it really was the end of the winter sports season.
After this we got the bus back to Granda and met up with some other Lancaster students at 7.30 for a variety of tapas. In Granada you get a tapas free when you order a drink. An absolutely brilliant idea and a nice change from having to pay in Barcelona! We had traditional Spanish tapas but we also went to a Chinese tapas bar where with your drink you can get a plate of noodles, spring rolls or something similar. It was bizarre, but a brilliant idea. We then headed home, via a chino shop to pick up some sweets and I may have said perdona to a dog.... But that's not important. We then had an earlish night as we knew we were off to the Alhambra the next day.
Off to the Alhambra, what a brilliant day! We walked up the steep hill to get there and wandered around it for a good few hours; George (Jack's stuffed chimpanzee) came with us. He definitely made photo taking much more fun, even if we did get a few (or many) funny looks from other tourists. The Alhambra is gorgeous, if you are ever in Granada you should go, just be prepared to queue, and to queue to queue because it is so so busy. 
Later we went out for drinks at an Irish bar, I had a lethal Japanese iced tea, although I don't think that it was that lethal.... We stayed up until the clocks changed, it's the first time I've seen my watch go from 1.59am to 3.00am, very strange! This morning Bex and I chilled and watched John Bishop's week of hell for sports relief before I flew back to Barcelona, uploaded all my photos and blogged.
A fantastic weekend, I can't wait to go to Cordoba with Bex and Jack in 3 weeks!
Hasta Manana!
x
Wednesday, 21 March 2012
Las Fallas means bangy in Spanish.
So at the weekend I went to Valencia for las fallas. It was insane! The ninots which they burn after being showed and awarded prizes were simply amazing. This is one of the simpliest:
There were children throwing fireworks in the street, which initially scared me to death but then after a while I got used to it and when I returned to Barcelona it was surprising calm and quiet in comaprison! We saw an amazing parade with everybody in traditional dress and the Virgin who dress is entirely made from fresh flowers, it takes the workers the entire weekend to make it before they burnt her, along with the other ninots on the Monday evening at midnight.
I really want to go back next year and see the burning as I couldn't stay for it this year as I had to work. We watched a free concert too, and an amazing firework show from the bridge. However after the four hour bus journey home I was shattered for school the next day.
School this week has been a little hetic, but at least it is the weekend now. Also yesterday I met up with a girl to do a tandem exchange for an hour, for the first time and we ended up staying for almost three hours, we really got on, she's from Lleida, a place I would love to visit for the snail festival in May.
I went to pick up my catalan results too this evening, I passed with 91/100 and now am a level B1 :) Very pleasedm I start the next level on Monday :) After class all my class and my teacher went out for copas and bravas. Very nice end to the day.
Tomorrow I am off to Granada for the weekend, for which I am very excited! I'ma lso hoping that afterwards I will have some motivation to do my DELC310 essay next week.
Adios Chicos!
x-x-x
And this is one of the more extravegant, as well as my favourite:
I really want to go back next year and see the burning as I couldn't stay for it this year as I had to work. We watched a free concert too, and an amazing firework show from the bridge. However after the four hour bus journey home I was shattered for school the next day.
School this week has been a little hetic, but at least it is the weekend now. Also yesterday I met up with a girl to do a tandem exchange for an hour, for the first time and we ended up staying for almost three hours, we really got on, she's from Lleida, a place I would love to visit for the snail festival in May.
I went to pick up my catalan results too this evening, I passed with 91/100 and now am a level B1 :) Very pleasedm I start the next level on Monday :) After class all my class and my teacher went out for copas and bravas. Very nice end to the day.
Tomorrow I am off to Granada for the weekend, for which I am very excited! I'ma lso hoping that afterwards I will have some motivation to do my DELC310 essay next week.
Adios Chicos!
x-x-x
Wednesday, 14 March 2012
Examenes de Catalan
So after a great weekend at home for my brother's 18th (and my fair share of English food) I arrived back in Spain on Sunday night. This week has been pretty boring, hence the lack of posts. Monday I had school and then a written Catalan exam, I think it went ok, but who knows! Tuesday I spent the afternoon on the beach with Tabetha, which was lovely :) In case you want a bit of trivia Tuesday the 13th is the unlucky day in Spain, not Friday the 13th like back in England. Although why, nobody seems to know. Today I had a full day at school, then the oral part of my Catalan exam. I just have to wait until next Wednesday for the results now! So nervous, I really hope I pass as then I will be a B1 level! Tomorrow I have one hour of classes and then the gym (to burn off all that English food) then I will find something to do for the evening I am sure.
Off to Valencia on Friday until Sunday for las fallas, I'm very excited. :)
Adios guapos!
x-x-x
Off to Valencia on Friday until Sunday for las fallas, I'm very excited. :)
Adios guapos!
x-x-x
Wednesday, 7 March 2012
Last post from Spain until next week
So monday was pretty normal, school, a little bit of shopping where I bought a dress, t-shirt and scarf, then Catalan class. Yesterday I worked and then met up with Tabetha for a little while before going to teach my private class. Which as usual is going very well.
Today I´m at work all day, but currently on my lunch, I´ve been uploading things to the school blog. Here are some videos where my year 4 describe their pictures, take a look:
Later I plan to do a bit more essay work, go to my Catalan class, revise for my exams next week and pack for tomorrow as I will be spending the weekend in England for my brother´s 18th. I´m excited to see family and friends (and also open my birthday cards from January. haha)
Quite a short and boring post, sorry, it will be more exciting next week.
Adios
x-x-x
Today I´m at work all day, but currently on my lunch, I´ve been uploading things to the school blog. Here are some videos where my year 4 describe their pictures, take a look:
Later I plan to do a bit more essay work, go to my Catalan class, revise for my exams next week and pack for tomorrow as I will be spending the weekend in England for my brother´s 18th. I´m excited to see family and friends (and also open my birthday cards from January. haha)
Quite a short and boring post, sorry, it will be more exciting next week.
Adios
x-x-x
Sunday, 4 March 2012
A French Themed Weekend
Let's start with Friday, I headed up to Girona to see La Sam and L'Adam. We went to a bar to see Adam's housemate's art exhibition, which was pretty cool and we sat and talked in Catalan with a small group. We then went back to Sam's flat to get ready to go to a fancy dress erasmus party, Sam was Dali, Adam was Zorro and I sported my Muskeeter outfit. (here commences the French theme) We all wore fake moustaches and decided to head round to the flat for a couple of hours and a glass of cava. This did not happen, a glass of cava turned into a bottle and some rum and coke and staying out until the club closed.... When we needed to be up at 8.30 the next morning.. and had forgotten to set an alarm... oopsie. Arrival of Supererin, who wakes up, without an alarm at 8.25 :) Major points go to my body clock for making sure we got the bus to Perpignan.
We had a lovely day in Perpingnan, there isn't much to do and they don't really speak Catalan, despite the fact that the flag is everywhere but is was a nice day out; and it was interesting to see the major difference between French Catalonia and Catalonia in Spain. The fact that Perpignana is FRENCH Catalonia (French first) and Catalonia in Spain is Catalan first and foremost.
I then got the bus back to Barcelona and watched the match in a bar with Katie before collapsing from exhaustion.
Today I did about 500 words on my DELC310 for French, taking me well over the half way word count (2300) yay! I then went to meet a group of friends to go to the Picasso museum as it is free on the first Sunday of the month. However the queue was insanely long so we didn't go in, instead we went into the Design Hub of Barcelona which was pretty strange, a lot of modern art such as dismantled chairs and garden hoses... It was different. We then went and had some tea and I bought a Catalan book for 2 euros. Then we had empanadas, yummy, before heading to the cinema to watch The Artist. It's a silent movie about silent movies. It was amazing, I was a bit unsure about going but I really enjoyed it.
Now I'm going to have a bit of a read and settle in for the night before school tomorrow.
Adios
x-x-x
We had a lovely day in Perpingnan, there isn't much to do and they don't really speak Catalan, despite the fact that the flag is everywhere but is was a nice day out; and it was interesting to see the major difference between French Catalonia and Catalonia in Spain. The fact that Perpignana is FRENCH Catalonia (French first) and Catalonia in Spain is Catalan first and foremost.
I then got the bus back to Barcelona and watched the match in a bar with Katie before collapsing from exhaustion.
Today I did about 500 words on my DELC310 for French, taking me well over the half way word count (2300) yay! I then went to meet a group of friends to go to the Picasso museum as it is free on the first Sunday of the month. However the queue was insanely long so we didn't go in, instead we went into the Design Hub of Barcelona which was pretty strange, a lot of modern art such as dismantled chairs and garden hoses... It was different. We then went and had some tea and I bought a Catalan book for 2 euros. Then we had empanadas, yummy, before heading to the cinema to watch The Artist. It's a silent movie about silent movies. It was amazing, I was a bit unsure about going but I really enjoyed it.
Now I'm going to have a bit of a read and settle in for the night before school tomorrow.
Adios
x-x-x
Thursday, 1 March 2012
The weekend is here!
My weekend has started and it's lovely and sunny and about 17degrees, not too shabby for the first of March. :)
Yesterday I went to the Natural History Museum with school, it was pretty fun but unbelievably tiring, looking after a group of year ones for the day really took it out of me. Afterwards I had Catalan class, where I struggled to keep my eyes open to be honest, I was absolutely shattered. The highlight of the day had to be when the children decided to stage a demonstration against the teachers; we had said that they had to sit down for a few minutes after lunch before being allowed to play on the park; so about 90 5/6/7 year olds were marching round the park chanting "jugar" (to play) until we eventually let them go on the playground. A nearby cafe owner found it absolutely hillarious and it made me think that the culture of protesting in Spain really does start young...
I am currently waiting for the ministerio to pay me for last month's work, then I cna buy some pretty summer clothes to wear in this lovely weather and when I head down to the south :) I'm getting really excited about my upcoming travels, I sometimes feel like I'm not doing enough here during the days, as I tend to be reovering from the weekends! But I'm going to try and get a bit of studying done this afternoon, so hopefully I'll feel a little bit better about myself then.
On another note; here are is an example of the restaurant videos I spent so long doing with my year fours, they are on youtube and are now up on the school blog, so if anyone has a desire to watch them all then feel free:
http://englishroquetes.blogspot.com/
That's it from me for now. Hasta luego!
Yesterday I went to the Natural History Museum with school, it was pretty fun but unbelievably tiring, looking after a group of year ones for the day really took it out of me. Afterwards I had Catalan class, where I struggled to keep my eyes open to be honest, I was absolutely shattered. The highlight of the day had to be when the children decided to stage a demonstration against the teachers; we had said that they had to sit down for a few minutes after lunch before being allowed to play on the park; so about 90 5/6/7 year olds were marching round the park chanting "jugar" (to play) until we eventually let them go on the playground. A nearby cafe owner found it absolutely hillarious and it made me think that the culture of protesting in Spain really does start young...
I am currently waiting for the ministerio to pay me for last month's work, then I cna buy some pretty summer clothes to wear in this lovely weather and when I head down to the south :) I'm getting really excited about my upcoming travels, I sometimes feel like I'm not doing enough here during the days, as I tend to be reovering from the weekends! But I'm going to try and get a bit of studying done this afternoon, so hopefully I'll feel a little bit better about myself then.
On another note; here are is an example of the restaurant videos I spent so long doing with my year fours, they are on youtube and are now up on the school blog, so if anyone has a desire to watch them all then feel free:
http://englishroquetes.blogspot.com/
That's it from me for now. Hasta luego!
Monday, 27 February 2012
The weekend I met Don Quijote
I spent this weekend in Madrid and Toledo and had an absolutely amazing time. :) I flew down to Madrid on the Friday and met Jess, my friend from secondary school and college. We met in Retiro park and spent ages chatting and walking around, we then met Kate and Dan for a spot of lunch and some day drinking before heading back to Retiro park to go on the rowing boats. We enjoyed it so much that after our first go we went back on again, with Sangria, it was perfect, sitting on a boat, with my friends on a lovely sunny day, it may as well have been August, it didn't feel like February.
After a Chinese take away and an early night Dan, Kate and I headed to Toldeo, in Castille La Mancha for the day. It is a really beautiful town and very tranquil, it was nice for us to all get away from the hustle and bustle of the city for a while, we then headed back into Madrid where the evening took a turn for the weirder...
exhibit 1:
After a Chinese take away and an early night Dan, Kate and I headed to Toldeo, in Castille La Mancha for the day. It is a really beautiful town and very tranquil, it was nice for us to all get away from the hustle and bustle of the city for a while, we then headed back into Madrid where the evening took a turn for the weirder...
exhibit 1:
We witnessed a group of men lift up and transport (very very slowly) a giant wooden frame, for some unknown reason. Only in Spain! So after seeing this when we sat down for wine and tortilla the craziness continued when we were approached by these guys:
Yep, that's right it's Don Quijote and Sancho! They were leading a bar crawl and stopped off at our bar, they then returned by themselves later, it was all a little crazy to be honest, speaking in true Spanglish with these too was utterly mindblowing.
Sunday was a laid back day, we had a lay in, then headed to Retiro for another go on the boats, before I flew home and went to watch Barca win at a bar with some friends.
Today school was pretty normal, then I went to the gym, with my trips to the hot sunny south coming up I feel I need to get my beach body in shape. :p Off to Catalan class soon, should probably finish the homework before I leave.......
Thursday, 23 February 2012
Time is slipping away like sand through my fingers....
I'm writing todays blog as a break from my packing (I'm off to Madrid and Toledo for the weekend). I just can't decide what to take, so rather than getting myself into a fluster I decided to update the worldwideweb on todays school time adventures. Today I only worked one hour, again with year 4, my timetable has compeltely gone to pot the past few days with the other English teacher being off sick. Most of the group have now mastered the basics of "O'clock, quarter past, half past, quarter to..." except for a few who can't tell the time in Spanish, so I can't really expect them to be whizzes at it in another language. I then palnend my lessons for next week and eventually (after an hour of trying) managed to get the unusually slow internet to send my project of "at the restaurant" videos to the Catalan government. Once they are up on the school blog I will link you guys in to the work that I have been doing.
Last night after my catalan class I enrolled for the next level of the course, which providing I pass the exam in a couple of weeks starts immediately after my current course, without a break. It also runs until the 14th of June, so I may miss the end of unit test depending on when I need to leave Spain to go to France. I can't believe how quickly this year hoas flown by, I don't want it to end. IIf I have to leave Spain as soon as my palcement finishes, I've only got 5 weekends left here where I don't already have plans; and three of those weekends will be taken up with trips and actvities that are planned but don't have definite dates yet.
Thirdyearabroad.com have published an article I wrote about being an English Language assistant; if you're interested then take a look:
http://www.thirdyearabroad.com/work-abroad/teach-abroad/item/1084-being-an-english-language-assistant.html
I was really pelased when they asked me to write something, hopefully I can help soemone out on their year abroad choice.
I think that's updated you all on everything.
I'll blog again on Sunday when I get home from Castille la Mancha/Madrid and the Barca match.
Hasta Domingo!
x-x-x
Last night after my catalan class I enrolled for the next level of the course, which providing I pass the exam in a couple of weeks starts immediately after my current course, without a break. It also runs until the 14th of June, so I may miss the end of unit test depending on when I need to leave Spain to go to France. I can't believe how quickly this year hoas flown by, I don't want it to end. IIf I have to leave Spain as soon as my palcement finishes, I've only got 5 weekends left here where I don't already have plans; and three of those weekends will be taken up with trips and actvities that are planned but don't have definite dates yet.
Thirdyearabroad.com have published an article I wrote about being an English Language assistant; if you're interested then take a look:
http://www.thirdyearabroad.com/work-abroad/teach-abroad/item/1084-being-an-english-language-assistant.html
I was really pelased when they asked me to write something, hopefully I can help soemone out on their year abroad choice.
I think that's updated you all on everything.
I'll blog again on Sunday when I get home from Castille la Mancha/Madrid and the Barca match.
Hasta Domingo!
x-x-x
Wednesday, 22 February 2012
Year 4 overload!
Today I spent the entire day working with year fours, which was a bit of an overload, for the first to hours I was helping to teach them how to tell the time in English, the only problem is that some of them don't even understand how to tell the time in Spanish or Catalan....
Over lunch today I spoke quite a lot, which is unusual because I usually can't get a word in edgeways! Everybody was saying how well I speak Spanish which gave me a boost, and on Monday I was approached in Spanish by someone wanting to know how to get to the airport; maybe I'm starting to look like a Catalan? Also at lunch today one of the teachers was whistling, when I said I couldn't whistle people were shocked, I quickly said that no English people can whistle, this got me a few laughs; and even more when one teacher actually believed me! Bless her, she said "Oh really is it to do with how you pronounce things or something?" Most gullible award ever goes to her. :)
Then in the afternoon I was invigilating their end of unit exams, it seems so weird watching 10 year olds sat in an exam, although to be fair it was pretty short and easy, even the class teacher has said she would be shocked if anyone failed.
This evening I had my Catalan class, I have a speaking exam on the 14th of March at 8.30pm.... that's when you know you live in Spain. I also discovered that I am a master of Catalan tongue twisters much to my surprise.
That's about it, I'm getting excited to head to Toledo and Madrid this weekend.
Fins Dema!
x-x-x
Over lunch today I spoke quite a lot, which is unusual because I usually can't get a word in edgeways! Everybody was saying how well I speak Spanish which gave me a boost, and on Monday I was approached in Spanish by someone wanting to know how to get to the airport; maybe I'm starting to look like a Catalan? Also at lunch today one of the teachers was whistling, when I said I couldn't whistle people were shocked, I quickly said that no English people can whistle, this got me a few laughs; and even more when one teacher actually believed me! Bless her, she said "Oh really is it to do with how you pronounce things or something?" Most gullible award ever goes to her. :)
Then in the afternoon I was invigilating their end of unit exams, it seems so weird watching 10 year olds sat in an exam, although to be fair it was pretty short and easy, even the class teacher has said she would be shocked if anyone failed.
This evening I had my Catalan class, I have a speaking exam on the 14th of March at 8.30pm.... that's when you know you live in Spain. I also discovered that I am a master of Catalan tongue twisters much to my surprise.
That's about it, I'm getting excited to head to Toledo and Madrid this weekend.
Fins Dema!
x-x-x
Tuesday, 21 February 2012
The flu continues to strike....
All the teachers at my school have been going off sick with the Flu due to the cold snap we had a few weeks ago and it has final hit my tutor which means that my timetable for this week has completely changed and as I will be spending the whole week with Isabel, the other tutor, so I will be spending a lot of time with the year 4's again. Today at school I recorded the final still life voices for the year 4 project and then with year six we started to record some pieces they have written using comparatives and superlatives.
After school I went to the gym, which made me feel amazing and both the classes were really fun. Then I went round to Rosa's house to make pancakes as it is also traditional in France to make pancakes on Shrove Tuesday. We had a couple each and then we started making some for her to take into school tomorrow for the kids to try. She needs to make 40 and I reckon we got about half of them done before we both had to leave to go and teach our respective private classes.
I also managed to flip a pancake dozens of times in order to try and take a photo, I felt like a whizz!
My private class was ok today, the girl I teach was a little under the weather, I felt sorry for her and we played a game in English for a little bit longer than usual today.
Now I'm going to do my Catalan homework for tomorrow and write an article for third year abroad, if I'm not too tired.
For anyone that is interested here is a picture of me and some people from my Catalan class when we went to the Caixa Forum yesterday.
After school I went to the gym, which made me feel amazing and both the classes were really fun. Then I went round to Rosa's house to make pancakes as it is also traditional in France to make pancakes on Shrove Tuesday. We had a couple each and then we started making some for her to take into school tomorrow for the kids to try. She needs to make 40 and I reckon we got about half of them done before we both had to leave to go and teach our respective private classes.
I also managed to flip a pancake dozens of times in order to try and take a photo, I felt like a whizz!
My private class was ok today, the girl I teach was a little under the weather, I felt sorry for her and we played a game in English for a little bit longer than usual today.
Now I'm going to do my Catalan homework for tomorrow and write an article for third year abroad, if I'm not too tired.
For anyone that is interested here is a picture of me and some people from my Catalan class when we went to the Caixa Forum yesterday.
Monday, 20 February 2012
An extra long weekend
So as you can probably gather by the title I got an extra day off this weekend! I wish I had Mondays off every week, but I do usually only work 4 days a week, so I can't really complain, yet only working 3 is a bonus. Today I had a lie in to recover from carnival weekend then I met up with Gavin and we went on the Camp Nou (Barcelona's football ground) experience, there is a museum documenting the history of the club, then you can head into the stands/next to the pitch/press room/changing rooms. It was a really good trip, it was only 16.50euros and we were in there for over 2 and a half hours (even if online it says it only takes an hour!) I bought a Barca shirt which I will be wearing with pride at matches and when I visit Madrid. :p
This evening I went on a trip with my catalan class to Caixa Forum, a converted cotton factory which now houses temporary exhibitions and artwork. It was interesting and a pretty cool modernist building, very different to the factories we have in England. I also understood the entire tour without many problems which I feel means my Catalan is improving.
Tomorrow I'm back in school, I feel that getting up early will hit me, but oh well that's the life of an ELA for you!
Hasta manana!
This evening I went on a trip with my catalan class to Caixa Forum, a converted cotton factory which now houses temporary exhibitions and artwork. It was interesting and a pretty cool modernist building, very different to the factories we have in England. I also understood the entire tour without many problems which I feel means my Catalan is improving.
Tomorrow I'm back in school, I feel that getting up early will hit me, but oh well that's the life of an ELA for you!
Hasta manana!
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