The past week...

So whats been going on in the past week?

Ummm, just alot of chilling. I've managed to get sick AGAIN, just about a week after I started to get better. ugh lame. I had to leave work early today beause I kept coughing my guts up and couldnt breathe because my nose is so blocked up. I went up to the hospital this afternoon to make an appointment with my doctor, so hopefully I can get something to clear this up so it wont come back again. Could possibly be hay fever though, because the weather here in Madrid is changing. I seem to get bouts of hay fever when weather changes.

I managed to finally make my way to the Japanese supermarket to buy some supplies. YUM. I'm going to make Japanese curry in the next couple of weeks. I've missed it so. As expected, the supermarket was small and just as expensive as in Australia.

Last Friday I went out with Taelyr, who lives in the apartment directly across from mine, and another friend Ruth who I had met a couple of weeks previously while applying for a NIE. We went around some shops to look at the last of the rebajas. I managed to spend almost 50 Euros at Stradivarius (oops). A new coat, top and scarf. When we decided that there wasn't much going on in the shops atm, we went to a place where you could get wee little baguette sandwiches for only 1 Euro each and fries with lots of sauces for like 2, 50 Euros. Drinks were also cheap. 1 Euro for a beer and 1,50 for tinto de verano (which is basically a simple form of sangria. Red wine and soft drink, usually lemonade but you can also have fanta etc).

Later that night myself, Ruth, Taelyr, Emely, Tetyana, Brittany and Sarah went out for mexican food in Chueca. It was awesome. I totally forgot how much I love nachos with guacamole.

Mexican dinner in Chueca

The next day was a relaxing day. Just chilling, because that night was a party which Isabel was holding at the apartment. People from the apartment building were invited, and it was such a fun time. Spanish people really know how to have a good time. Lots of food, dancing, drinking and talking. I had the chance to improve my Spanish which was great. I chatted to many different people, danced HEAPS, ate heaps and drank heaps. The next day I slept in until 4:30pm. Hahaha. tired.

If I think of anything else I'll put it up, but that it for now, especially since I'm coughing my guts up. ughh.

Hasta luego! xxxx

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Travels: Salamanca

This is over a week late but nonetheless,

So a not the weekend we just had but the one previous I went on a weekend trip to Salamanca with another auxiliar friend Shannon. We left on a Friday afternoon at around 12pm from Estacion Sur de Autobuses. We took an express bus which was about 18 euros or so one way and the same return, which isnt too bad. I just love being able to travel in Europe so cheaply! It's fantastic! And the trip only took around 2 1/2 hours from Madrid.

Salamanca is situated in Castilla y Leon in Western Spain about 200km from Madrid and around 80km from the Portuguese border. It's such a lovely city! It is a major university city in Spain. It has the oldest university in Spain, which began in 1218. Pretty old huh?

Map...find Salamanca

After arriving in Salamanca, we made our way to our hostel/hotel which was very close to the Plaza Mayor, so that made going places much easier. The hotel was about a 20-30 minute walk from the bus station. Once we settled we made our way to the beautiful Plaza Mayor which is the central part of the city. Its so lovely and when we got there the sky was blue and the weather was quite warm for winter. People (mainly students) were relaxing in the middle of the centre in groups, sitting and enjoying the warmth of the sun. I really love that about Spain. When the weather is sunny, regardless of the season it seems, people go to the nearest park or something and sit and just enjoy. Because it was such a nice day Shannon and I decided that ice cream was the best idea. I had fresa con tarta de queso. best. idea. ever. basically strawberry cheesecake ice cream. Then we followed the lead of the locals and sat down in the centre of the square, just on the ground, and enjoyed the lovely weather!

One of my pictures of the Plaza Mayor at night. Its so beautiful when it's all lit up!

After the enjoyment of ice cream we decide to explore the city. We managed to stumble across The Pontifical University of Salamanca. For only 2 euros each we got a guided tour of parts of the university (in spanish of course), which was a pretty good deal I thought. Unfortunately we couldn't take that many photos, so I can't really show you what it was like. After that we walked past some more buildings: The old and new cathedral of Salamanca, and other lovely Renaissance style buildings. If you love Renaissance architecture, go to Salamanca.

New Cathedral of Salamanca, built in the 16th century...lol...new

We returned to our hotel and had a siesta (which became quite a theme for the weekend), and decided that dinner was probably a good idea. We ate a cute italian restaurant (lol italian in Spain), which was underground and was really quaint. The food was pretty good too, and of course epic pieces of bread (which you get at restaurants everywhere, regardless of wether you want it or not. Here we were lucky enough to get butter. You dont get butter normally. mmm bread and butter). Unfortunately that weekend I was experiencing stomach troubles because of food, which happens in any country I go to. Luckily it's cleared up now, but it stayed around for the majority of the weekend.

The next day we decided to have a sleep in until 10:30am. Holidays are about relaxing right??? We wandered around just looking at places. We went inside the New cathedral of Salamanca which was very nice. It also had a massive beast of an organ. We also went and had another ice cream, even though it was slightly colder that day. But I think its always time for ice cream.

After walking around for a while we ran into some of my auxiliar friends from Madrid Irene, Gisella and Patty who were also in Salamanca for the weekend. We all decided to meet up for dinner later on.

We kept walking and found ourselves at El convento de San Esteban. It was a really amazing place, especially at night time. We walked through the cloisters and cathedral, just exploring. Again it was only 2 euros. Nice and cheap.

Courtyard in El convento de San Esteban

After more exploring we decided on another siesta, which involved watching numerous episodes of Glee, until we had to meet the girls for dinner.

We went to a place that one of the teachers that irene works with suggested, as they are from Salamanca. We had sangria (which is now just becoming a completely usual drink for me. I love it!) and a selection of foods such as patatas bravas (which seemed to not actually be patatas bravas according to the girls), calamares (which I had been desperately craving), chorizo, croquetas de jamon (a given), salad (drenched in oil which I dont understand. And then the waiter brought out MORE oil to put on the salad. Insane. I don't understand the olive oil fasinacion here???) etc. It was quite a good meal. After we thought we might go around looking for some nightlife. After walking around for a while we found ourslves in a club called Camelot. yeah. it was weird. It was basically a King Arthur decor inside, but it was a club. And it was complete with a dancing granny and a crazy dancing guy. We decided to migrate somewhere else, and went to a bar just a few doors down. Everyone had a few drinks (although my stomach started to play up again, which meant no drinking, apart from the one shot I had there), and then Shannon and I decided to have an early night. Walking around a city all day is exhausting.

The next day we woke up late again (holiday sleep in. duh), packed our stuff up and made our way to the bus station for the bus back to Madrid. We arrived back in Madrid around 3:30pm.

It was a lovely weekend, and I highly recommend Salamanca if you are ever in Spain!!! I managed to do it for under 150 euros for the whole weekend, including accommodation.
Win!

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Travels: London

London had been on the very top of my list of travel for a long time. Everyone I know has been at some point, so I was very excited to have the chance to go. I finished school on the Thursday afternoon, went home and packed my little suitcase and headed to the airport. The place left at around 9pm and I arrived in London after 10pm sometime. It's only a 2 hour trip which is easy. I caught the Gatwick Express to Victoria Station to meet Kym. This was my FIRST TIME meeting Kym. Iv'e know her for years via internet, but now was the time to actually MEET! i was so excited! When we saw each other we knocked each other out with an epic hug! It was so surreal to finally meet. The whole time she kept saying 'I can't believe you are in London!'. I couldn't believe it either! She was lovely enough to let me stay at her place on Thursday night. after getting off the tube/trainthingy we walked to her place and I saw my first FOX haha He was just chilling on the street. it was highly amusing to me lol.That night we feasted on cheese toasties (using those AMAZING toastie bags! GENIUS!), wine and we watched some trashy tv! A good time!

The next morning Kym took me out in London town. We hopped on a bus (the awesome red ones) and went up the stairs and sat up the front. Unfortunately the seats next to us were covered in puke (ew). So the ride to Trafalgar square was marred by the fact that there was puke just sitting there. The smell was awful and it was one of those things where it was gross but you couldn't look away. Luckily we changed buses. But then the stupid bus driver kept leaving the door open, leaving us COLD. London was very windy that weekend.

We walked around and saw so many things! The Queen's house aka Buckingham Palace, The Thames, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, St Paul's, Hyde park, Fleet Street etc. It was so cool to finally see these places in person! After a massive walk we ate a Pub lunch (AMAZING! I'd missed it so much!) in Fleet Street (no I didn't eat a pie).

Kym and I having lunch!

Me being a tourist

Later we stumbled across the Twinings Store (LOVE). I have a severe addiction to Twinings Tea, so it was amazing. I bought myself a wooden box to store teabags in and also some different flavoured teas: Mulled Spiced Tea and White Tea with a hint of Pomegranate. They are so delicious that I wish I bought more!

At around 5pm Kym and I made our way to Kings Cross Station to meet another friend Gwenny! I have also known Gwenny for many years via internet. I met her about 10 years ago! So now it was FINALLY time to meet! Gwenny works for Eurostar and only had an hour break before she had her next shift, but I was so glad we had the chance to meet! It was amazing! After talking for so many years, to finally meet was so GREAT! The three of us sat around and had a drink and then visited platform 9 3/4 which they have turned into some dodgy wall lol but we still took photos of course. I'm looking forward to spending more time with Gwenny and Kym!!!! Gwenny and I are planning to go places which will be fantastic!!! And I'm hoping to visit London again soon!

A meeting after so many years!!!!

The next person to meet up with was PAUL aka Homestar. I was so excited to catch up with Paul! I hadn't seen him since before he left for London last year! When I saw him I knocked him over with a hug (heh). We said goodbye to Gwenny and Kym and made our way to dinner with some of Paul's friends. We had dinner at an awesome Vietnamese place. It was a change of what I was eating in Spain. After dinner we headed back to Paul's place. We watched an episode of Miranda (rude haha) and went to sleep.

the next morning we watched Miranda again ahaha and had breakfast which was VEGEMITE ON TOAST. OH MY GOD. I'm pretty sure it was the most amazing taste ever. I can't believe how much I had missed it. Mmm salty. After breakfast we headed out for the day. We went on the London Eye (Highly overpriced, but the views were really lovely so it was worth it in the end lol), The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden (where I went to Toni & Guy to get my haircut as I was DESPERATE for a haircut). We ended up having Maccas for lunch (bad idea lol).

View from the London Eye

We also visited the Australia shop (AHH!). I bought some papaw ointment as I forgot to get some before I left and I also bought some Barbeque shapes (OH MY GOD) and some Lamingtons (AHHH!). The taste of home was totally worth it.

After, we went to meet one of Paul's friends and then we went to a rehearsal for a concert paul was in. I sat in the rehearsal and listened. They were an amazing group of musicians! The music was just fantastic and so was the standard. I really enjoyed the concert. I made me kind of sad that I'm not back home at uni doing alot of music. Hopefully I can start singing lessons soon though! Afterwards we all went out to Pizza Express for dinner and started singing Laudamus Te from Vivaldi's Gloria. Music nerds.

It had been a long day, and then Paul and I headed back to his place to get some much needed sleep!

The next morning we woke up and had vegemite on toast for brekkie (eeee) and headed out to Knightsbridge. Paul was singing in a service that morning, so while he had a rehearsal I thought I'd go and find Harrods. Unfortunately when I got there it was closed (boo). So I wandered around, had some tea and a pastry and made my way back to the church to see Paul in the service. It was kind of weird being at a service and not having to sing. Afterwards we went to Harrods which was open (finally lol). Harrods is just insane. I don't know how people afford to shop there. I bought the typical touristy stuff because it's all I could afford. Paul and I saw a table that was something like 25,000 pounds. INSANE. It's a TABLE. People have way too much money to spend. There was also this awful soprano who was actually PAID to sing to the customers from a balcony. It was so bad. Paul and I had a chuckle.

After Harrods we went and had lunch at Wagamamas which was awesome! But they gave us so much food! Then we decided to walk it all off in Hyde Park. It was so nice to walk and have a nice catch up with Paul...until he wanted to throw my suitcase in the lake (RUDE) haha.

Rude

We walked, laughed at ducks, had hot chocolates which were actually luke warm, fed squirrels chocolate bar and then I also got freaked out when the squirrels got really close and I screamed and Paul laughed. Rude.

The wee squirrel that scared me

We walked then from Hyde Park to Victoria station so I could catch the Gatwick Express to catch a plane back to Madrid. Before I got on the plane we had a lovely little drink and then it was time to leave London :( I was really sad to leave as I had really enjoyed my time! So I'm looking forward to seeing Paul when he comes to Madrid, and hopefully I can get back to London again! YAY!

When I arrived at Gatwick there was an EPIC delay on the plane back to Madrid. rude. Then when it was time to board the plane I was told that I had to put my bag under the plane because they had reached the limit. rude. When I got my bag back in Madrid I found it all scratched. idiots.

So anyway it was a fantastic first trip to London! The only this is that London is super expensive, and I found I had spent all my money in 3 days. oops!

x

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Travels: Segovia

So I have already done a bit of travelling in the past month which has been great. Being in Europe lets me go and see things. Being in Australia doesn't really let you do that. Kind of the downfall of living so far away.

A couple of weeks ago Victoria was in Madrid. it was so great to see someone from home! A familiar face can do wonders for homesickness. We both went on a day trip to Segovia which was absolutely lovely! Segovia is an amazing place. So beautiful with it's little streets. Vic was amazed by the Aqueduct (which I was told everytime we saw it lol). It was a really amazing structure. It went on for ages and ages!

Roman Aqueduct

It was an absolutely freezing cold day. I still remember it! pretty sure it was about minus 3-5. Brr. Luckily Vic and I had gone to El Corte Ingles the night before, after dinner so I could buy gloves for my poor cold little hands...

We walked all around segovia and saw the Cathedral, which was really beautiful and Alcazar Castle, which was apparently the inspiration for Walt Disney's Cinderella Castle. We got a really beautiful view of the city once we reached the top of the castle (walking many many many MANY steps. I found out that day that I was CLEARLY unfit lol). Once at the top we looked over the city and saw just one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. I really enjoyed it. We also met two people from Melbourne (its so funny how Australians seem to just find each other when they travel overseas).

Segovia Cathedral

Alcazar Castle

View of Segovia from Alcazar Castle

After much more walking and taking of photos, Vic and I decided that we were really hungry. Segovia is famous for Cochinillo which is suckling pig, so we thought why not try it since we are here. It was possibly one of the most amazing meals I have ever had. EVER. We started with bread, pretty much the size of my head (the spanish LOVE bread, which is fine because so do I) and we each got our own little pitchers of wine, which seemed to have a never ending amount in it. Our starter was an amazing kind of white bean soup. I had lots of big delicious white beans in it, and DELICIOUS chorizo mmmm. Next came the pig. We didn't actually expect to get a PIG. It still had its little face on it and everything. At first I was a little unsure about eating it, but I'm so glad I did. It was amazing. The most tender and delicious meat I've ever had. Next came dessert which was a nice kind of cake with vanilla bean ice cream. I was full for a whole 24 hours. It was so very worth it.

White beans and Chorizo

Cochinillo

Dessert!!!!

If you ever get the chance I highly recommend Segovia! It's an amazing place that I'm sure you will enjoy!

x

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Times in Madrid

So I've already had some fun times here in Madrid over the past month. I've made some absolutely lovely friends! I have some auxiliar friends which is great. It's nice to have some friends who do the same work as I do. I met Irene on facebook a couple of months ago and then when I arrived in Madrid we finally met. She introduced me to some of her friends who I have also become friends with. In the auxiliar girls group (lol) there is myself, Irene, Patty, Gisella and Darlene. We are going to try and have weekly dinners (because we can. I mean hello. tapas/sangria). They are a lovely bunch and I'm glad to have met them!

I have also made some friends with some lovely girls who are studying here in Madrid from Boston University. I met Taelyr first, who lives in an apartment directly across from the one I'm in. We get along well and its so nice to know someone else who lives so close. When we go out late we catch a taxi back together to save money, and there is always someone to talk to on the metro/bus home. Taelyr introduced me to her other BU friends Laura, Emely, Tetyana, Brittany and Sarah. We have done things like go to the Mercardo de San Miguel (amazing), dinner at Lateral (again, amazing) and also go clubbing in Madrid (Fun times!)

It's always fun to go out in Madrid. There is always something to do and food is always good and wine flows freely. Shopping is also SO MUCH BETTER THAN AUSTRALIA. We have no shops in Australia. seriously. When are we going to get H&M????? I've already bought so much from there (oops)...

x

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Trabajo

The reason I am here really...

I work at two schools here in Madrid. One is in the city of Arganda del Rey, which is annoyingly located OUT of the main part of Madrid, but yet is still part of Madrid, meaning it takes me about an hour and twenty minutes to get there and then another hour and twenty minutes to get back home again. My other school is in a place called Valdebernardo, which is MUCH closer to where I live. It only takes me about thirty to fourty minutes one way which isn't bad.

So basically what I am is an english assistant (auxiliar de conversacion). I assist teachers with English class and also science class which is taught in English. And I am one of the 'lucky' few people who have been placed in two schools. It's annoying because I miss out on so much stuff at both schools. I have to alternate my days at both. But it's also really good because I get to meet alot more people and have different experiences.

The kids are so amused because I'm not from America like a majority of the assistants. When I told them where I was from they were all like OH WOW! SO FAR AWAY!!! And when I told them how long it takes to travel from Australia to Europe, they couldn't believe it! It's such a novelty lol!

At Arganda del Rey I help a teacher called Maria who teaches grade 3. Maria is really nice and we get along well. Sometimes I help with the activities and check homework/classwork and mark tests. The kids at the school are really sweet. There are a few girls who come up and give me hugs everytime I come to class. I have found the kids at this school though to be much more...how can I put it...energetic? They never be quiet when you tell them, and always have a comment on something. I found this out in my 2nd week of teaching when Maria was sick and I was stuck teaching the classes because the substitute teachers didn't speak English, meaning they couldn't teach them anything at all. So it was all up to me. The kid's didnt know me, so they decided to tast my patience and see if they could crack me. Ugh. Spanish kids are so noisy and just way more energetic than Aussie kids. I tell them to be quiet and it just doesnt happen. Instead they run around the classroom being crazy. It's like they have a morning dose of red cordial. Eventually I had to go for the yelling tactic which worked for a few minutes...until they just started talking again...that was a tough week. But the kids are actually pretty good with their English which is impressive. I wasn't sure what to expect when i arrived.

At my second school in Valdebernardo I work with the bilingual co-ordinator Mary who teaches grade 5. Again I help with English class and Science in English. The kids are really bright and work hard. Mary is a great teacher and really gets into her classes which is so fantastic to see. The kids really respect her. Sometimes she gets really mad at them, but its always when they deserve it (eg. when they didnt do their homework etc). But she wants them to do really well. She cares alot. So I always enjoy classes here. I go around helping the kids when she is teaching and sometimes when she has something to do I will take over and do the activities with the kids. I also take out small groups and we do conversation and I also help out the kids who are a little behind the others. I also teach a 1hr class on Tuesdays for Teachers wanting to learn English. I take the basic class, and take them through the real basics of English. 'my name is...' 'on the weekend I went to...' 'I am...years old' etc. It's pretty easy and I'm actually starting to enjoy it. I only have 3 teachers, but they are really nice, so it's all good, and they say that they are understanding because I am explaining things in Spanish first which helps.

So thats pretty much a run down of what I do during the week. 16 hours of work a week...it's a hard life ;)

x

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Bienvenido a Madrid

so continuing on from my last post...

I arrived into a dreary London Heathrow, and then boarded a plane to Madrid. I was pretty nervous about FINALLY arriving. The flight was a nice and quick 2 hours, and I arrived in madrid around 8pm on the Friday. After some bag confusions I finally managed to get myself together and head out to the arrivals hall to meet Isabel, who I am staying with here in Madrid. They were lovely enough to come and collect me from Barajas Airport. We hopped in the car and arrived at her place. Its a really great and comfortable apartment. It's close to public transport and I only have to catch a bus and then a train to get to work. Its a lovely place to live, and I feel so lucky that I found such a great place to live in Madrid. I live with a lady called Isabel and her daughter Maria who are absolutely fantastic. It's so lovely to be living in a Spanish home. It's more of an experience. I think its much better than living with another bunch of auxiliares who all speak English. I love it here alot. Mind you I'm still kind of shy and stick to my room which is stupid of me.

So my Spanish is SLOWLY getting better. Because I use English for work I don't get a chance to use alot of Spanish there, and when I do I usually freak out. Especially the other day when I had 5 people speaking at me at once in Spanish. I pointed out to them that I can only listen to one person at a time because I cant translate fast enough in my head, when I was told that I'm in Spain and I should deal with it...ah. thanks. But hopefully in a few months it will get better.

OK so thats just a taster. The next few posts will be everything you have missed in the past month since my arrival. I got super lazy with the whole posting thing so now I have to remember what I did so I can catch you all up!

Alisa x

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