An almost prefect weekend.

This was the weekend of beach.

Yesterday we went to the beach in Almeria.  We decided to figure out the bus system and our beach days are going to be gone soon, so yesterday was the perfect day to head to the bus stop.  We ended up waiting for the bus for like 40 minutes, but we did catch it! Twenty minutes and 1.30 euro later, we were at the bus station on the way to the beach.  It was more crowded than last time, but still just as nice.  The water was also kind of cold, but we ventured in anyways. ...then came the jellyfish. Then came the other jellyfish... :/ But they were both dead, but still I was ruined for the water.  Plus as a stood in the crystal clear water and talked to Aisha and Alice as they swam, all I could pay attention to were the fish swimming around them.  And if you don't know, I'm terrified of fish swimming near me.  

So after a few hours at the beach, we caught the next bus back.  Aisha and I were planning on going to the mall and just getting off the bus about half way into town... but of course, just like everything else the makes zero sense in Spain, we were not allowed to get off the bus. Even though it stopped. Still not sure what the issue was, but whatever, we just went home to rest for awhile.

Then we found out how truly sunburnt Alice was.  She referred to herself as the blond tomato, if that helps you visualize.  But regardless I made sure we did something after the failed mall trip. So we went out for tapas in Huercal.  We went to the same restaurant that we ate at last Sunday because Alice knew they make their own beer.  

So we sat down at the outdoor eating area and very soon were greeted by the only other group outside "Hello!" Come to find out this couple who were eating and drinking with their friend both spoke excellent English and we chatted with them for about an hour and a half as they gave us life advice and we laughed at the friend who knew very little English.  Then something even cooler than our Spanish/ English conversation happened; Aisha found out that our waiter was from Morocco like her dad is.  So they started speaking in French and the multilingual night went on.  After parting with our new friend and paying the bill we walked back to the flat and called it a night.

Today, Ignacio, a very nice looking 23 year old guy who works at the school and is the son of the school directors, took us to San Jose which is a beach about 45 minutes from Huercal.  So the first part of the day was filled with swimming and tanning. Then we ate some delicious Italian food at a restaurant in the cute town of San Jose.  

Just when Aisha and I thought we were headed home, Ignacio took us to the absolutely beautiful National Park in Cabo de Gata and to another beach where we spent about two hours relaxing some more.  *Fun fact: Some of the Indiana Jones movies were shot in the desert there as well as some Clint Eastwood western movies.  

Tonight is the Supermoon Lunar Eclipse!!! I'm waking up at 4AM to try and see it! See you then if you're on Snapchat!

Buenas Noches! 

I don't want to complain, but....

Today I told myself it would be a better day than the one before, and it was.  However, sometimes you just have to rant; so this is my rant.  Please don't think that I am being abused, its only the second week, but some things about this place are laughably infuriating.

P!nk has a song that starts off "These are my political facts and opinions..."

Well these are not my political facts and opinions, these are my Spanish Language Assistant facts and opinions:

Nothing makes sense.

If you ever have a question, just assume you are the wrong one.

If the teacher has time and you do not, it will be your fault for not doing something.

The kids don't understand you, or if they do they just pretend they don't.

They also act like you're an idiot because you don't speak to them in their language.

But the second you speak to them in Spanish, they listen.

Three year olds need someone to explain things in their language.

Just because I can be left alone with the children, does not mean I should always be.

When I walk into the room, you still have to do your JOB.

I may know Spanish, but I do not know EVERY SINGLE PHRASE.

There are no "playground games" in America; at least not where I went to school.

Granite and cement are not safe surfaces to have the children play.

If a kid has a nose bleed, CLEAN UP THE BLOOD!!!

Or at least tell someone before you take the kid.

Schools need air conditioning.

Three year olds will not sit and listen to a story when there is a table of toys behind them.

Two year olds will not sit and avoid playing with toys when you leave for fifteen minutes.

When you leave off the last letter of "can't" it causes some confusion.

It is IMPORTANT to have a schedule before you start WORKING at a school.

When there is no one to blame for the problems, everyone blames everyone.

Schools should not be run by business people.

Children are not dolls, they get dirty, they smell, they run around and don't listen.

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Now a lot of these things could be culture and maybe I just don't get it.  Luckily the headmistress is still pleasant to me, if she says something, I might just cry.  I think everyone is getting in trouble and being upset at the moment.  We are all in this together (yes, just like high school musical).

At the end of the day, its not the children that I am annoyed with.  At the end of the day their hugs and smiling faces saying "bye bye Tee-Chair" that make it worth it.  It is the boy telling me about his dad's friend who speaks English.  It is another holding my hand and leaning his head on me.  It is the four year old telling me for the 100th time that he made it to the top of the playset.  It is a child asking me what my favorite color is... IN ENGLISH! These things make me come back everyday.  These things give  me hope that everything will settle down.

Just don't worry, just don't take it to heart, just stick to your guns.

"Always look on the bright side of life."

Tomorrow is Wednesday already! Hooray!!!!
Bye Bye. <3

Shopping in Almeria

Now this is a limited perspective, because, well, I haven't actually done much shopping, but this is what I can tell so far.

So far my shopping experience consists of four things:

~The grocery store Mercadona.

~Buying a fan.

~The "Chinese" store.

~El Paseo.

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The first day I got here we went to the grocery store and have frequented it often since then.  In general its a normal grocery story, except a lot more fresh fish than I am used to.  Oh and they have skinned rabbits just chilling in the meat section (yum...). Apparently though, getting make up and toiletries is pretty much only done at the grocery store.

As soon as I got here I knew I'd need a fan, because it is blazing hot during the days.  So about a week in a got one.  It took a little bit of looking but I found one for about 30 euro, which was kind of expensive I thought, but totally worth it.

Now the "Chinese" store is really something.  The first time Alice took us there, I was basically in amazement.  I can't exactly tell you why they call it the "chinese" store, other than the owners are Asian and well... they have everything there.  From clothes and shoes, to kitchen ware, to lamps, to party supplies, they have it.  But this is not Walmart or anything, its like a super low budget warehouse that sell a bunch of random stuff.  Its an experience, trust me.

This past Saturday Aisha and I went to El Paseo, which is really just the Spanish way of saying the strip where you do all your clothes shopping. Its actually super nice for what I would imagine Almeria would have.  All of these fairly nice clothing stores and shoe stores, plus some restaurants.  They have H&M and this nice little hipster store Pull & Bear which I had never heard of, but I liked it.  Granted, I didn't have any money to buy anything, but once I open my bank account, I'm headed back. Mainly because I need more heat appropriate clothes for school.  There is also a cool store called Tiger that reminded me of a quirky store you might find in Carytown in Richmond, Va.

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From my limited shopping experience, I can tell you this, Spaniards are not as broad shouldered or long legged as I am.  The few shirts and dressed I tried on were definitely not made for someone with my body type.  I'm afraid I might have to stick to online shopping, especially when it comes to dresses.  But I'll have to try again when I have money.

Also, the shoes here are fantastic.  Spain is known for their leather products, so I might have to splurge on some boots.  Aside from leather, though, the oxfords, flats, and heels are all equally cute.  Which brings me to the women here and how they ALL where wedges ALL the time.  Even old grandmas at the bank have on their wedges, its incredible. So if you ever happen to find yourself in Almeria, be sure to bring your wedges, ladies.


That's it for now. Buenas noches. <3

Spanish children versus American children

After only three days of my language assistant job, being called "tee-chair" (teacher) by all of the kids, and being looked at like a crazy person when I tell kids my name is Kendall, I have already noticed the way these Spanish children act in comparison to the American children I am used to working with.


Similarities

They are eager to tell you what is on their minds.

• Even with a language barrier, these kids try to tell me the most random things.  The other day, a four year old boy was telling me about the type of wood he liked, and the tree I was sitting beside.  Today another four year old told me that his hands were the bad ones making him hit other kids.  Before that a five year old girl told me her whole family speaks Spanish like she does and that she absolutely could not speak English.  

They are full of questions.

• Where is your smock?  Are you Alice?  What is your name? Is this your book? Is that your son? What language do you speak? ...These are the questions all children ask; no matter where you are.  

The cutest ones are the worst behaved.

• Its true everywhere.  Today I had to keep getting after a boy named Emmanuel because he kept hitting another boy.  He's the one who told me his hands were bad, not him.  I kept an eye on him after that... and he kept an eye on me.  But he is absolutely adorable, big brown eyes, a little smaller than some of the others, too cute for his own good.  And worse off is he knows he's cute.  

Differences

There are no gender roles for children.  

• I cannot tell you how many little boys I have seen holding hands, hugging, and just generally showing affection to other little boys.  In one particular situation I watched as one little boy stroked the hair of another boy laying down with his head on the other boy's lap.  It was precious.  These kids have not been raised thinking that boys must constantly show their strength or how macho they are.  They are children. That's it.  

Kids here are not tattle tails.

• If someone does something to them, they take care of it.  They practice what I tried to teach all summer; they solve their own problems.  Of course, if another kid does actually hurt them, they'll surely tell you who it was and what they did. However, the petty "he called me this," She looked at me weird" is not a thing they do here.  

Bodies are bodies.

• These kids change in front of each other and use the bathroom in front of each other, and its no big deal.  Now the safe guarding children training in me tells me this is wrong, but once you see how absolutely normal/ brother and sister kind of situation it is, you start to wonder why it has to be such a big deal in America.  It's a culture thing, I know.

They eat all their food.

• The school requires the kids to eat all of their food. And this is not hot dogs or pizza. They eat Pork chops, carrots, rice, bananas, pasta, fish, tomatoes, EVERYTHING.  Now I can't talk, I was the American child not eating half of the food she was given.  But, these kids are expected to eat the food and that is that.  Some still cry... but they do it.

School is from 9:30-5:30.

• Apparently the U.S. is the only insane place that starts school before 9:00.  But, I think I'm better for it... just personally.  Even the poor little preschoolers, starting at two years old, are at school until 5:30pm.  Its kind of crazy and makes for a really long day, even when I only come in for the last half.  

Ten Firsts in One Week

My week in firsts:

1. First time going abroad all by myself.

Sure I've studied abroad, but I've never actually been totally solo while going to another country.  Whether it be a family member or friend from school I've always had a companion for my international journeys.  This was a big step for me.

2. First time in Spain (well Europe if we're being precise). 

It's a pretty big leap to commit to living in a completely new country for nine months.  But, hey, why not?  So what if I hate it? But I'm sure I won't.  So far everything has been amazing and I'm very hopeful for my experience here.

3. First time staying in a hostel with total strangers.

I don't know if you count my first few nights in Barcelona as being with total strangers, because they were people in the same program as me and we had met online.  My last night, however, I was totally solo in a room with some guys from possibly Belgium or Germany or Austria and a guy from China.  But I survived.

4.  First time exploring a city by myself.

This wasn't as scary as it may sound because I had been exploring it with other people the few days before so I kinda had a feel for the city already.  However, for me, a non-city girl, I was very proud of how I was able to navigate the metro system and the city using only a map.

5. First time literally walking from mountain to sea.  

As a result of my solo adventure, I found myself on a mountain in a place where I had not really intended on going. But from that mountain I could see the port where I had been earlier that day and decided that the walk wouldn't be too difficult.  So I set out to the port and then eventually decided to keep going until I made it to the beach for my first Mediterranean Sea experience.

From this view all the way to the coast in the far left corner of this picture. (All on foot.)

6. First time to the Mediterranean Sea.

Obviously, from the previous first...

7. First time living in a flat with strangers.

Strangers is a harsh word.  These strangers are Meddeas people who I will be working with at the school, but since I never met them they can be considered strangers.  Plus they're both from different countries from myself, making them culturally different from me.

8.  First time riding in a Mercedes.

Yes, this is not as monumental as the others, but I do think it is interesting that it took me going to another country to ride in a Mercedes.  (That's what I was picked up from the airpot in, just to clarify.)

9. First time eating tapas.

Tapas are a very Spanish type of appetizer, but you eat a lot and it turns into a meal basically.  In Barcelona we went out one night and had a round of tapas to split between about nine of us.  Some were good and some were bad.  I also tried my first calamari, but I won't make a separate number for that first.

10. First time using European measurements.

From Euros to Celcius to kilometers to liters I'm trying very hard to adjust to this new system.  Here is a quick look into my European cheat sheet:

• If the price is just slightly more that what it would be in dollars, its a good price.
• 25 degrees Celcius is about 80 Fahrenheit. Thats about the only temperature there is in Almeria. 
• A liter is a lot of beer.
• Five kilometers is about the max you would want to walk in one continuous stretch. 1-2 km is ideal.  

I live with an Irish girl and a Northern Irish girl, so whenever I say the temperature or a distance I know it basically means nothing to them so I attempt to convert it.  I'm the minority, I have to change.  Thank you backwards, American system.

What does half five mean?

This morning I woke up at my hostel in Barcelona ready for the next big step in my journey.

I got a taxi, arrived at the airport, and got to my terminal where I waited in line for about 45 minutes because the flight was late. (Although we were never informed of this...) Then off to Almeria!

Touch down. Less than a mile from the beach. Too bad where I live is not that close, but still close compared to anywhere else I've ever lived.  The director's son picked me up at the airport and took me straight to the school to eat some lunch. Its a good thing I wore decent clothes to fly in for exactly that possibility.  My lunch consisted of some kind of pasta, bread, calamari, and tomatoes.  Yep. That is a school lunch apparently.

After meeting a few people at the school, we went to the flat where I will be staying.  It is super cute and I have my own room with a closet for hanging and one with shelves, a desk, and a few small drawers.  We also have a nice living room with a TV, a bathroom, and the cutest kitchen you've ever seen.  I unpacked for a little while, then talked with my roommate Aisha until our other roommate Alice got back from the school.  It is Alice's second year, so she will be a lot of help for Aisha and me.

One of this year's adventures will be the fact that I am living with one girl from Ireland and another from Northern Ireland. And yes... for those of you who weren't aware, those are two separate countries.   So as I listen to the two of them converse I will be deciphering the mean of different phrases that they do not think about as being odd for me; as well as understanding their accents in general.

And all of that in addition to deciphering Southern Spain Spanish.

Anyways... we went to the market, took showers (because it is blazing hot here with no AC), ate dinner, and watched some American TV.

Since we have to go to school tomorrow in the morning we have all retreated to our bedrooms to relax and settle down for the night.

Hasta mañana.

“We Spaniards like to touch each other a lot.”

On Tuesday we had our orientation for the Meddeas language assistants.  It was from 9am-6pm and was packed full of information that we all were eager to hear.  I met one of my flat mates and got to talk to her for a bit so that was great.  The meeting definitely made me feel very blessed to have the placement that I got.  Some people are the first language assistant at their schools, others are the only ones in their town, and a bunch still have to find an apartment once they get to their cities. 

My placement is in Huercal de Almeria and I will be living in an apartment with two other girls who are also language assistants at the same school.  I will be working with 3-6 year olds and I am super pumped.  I also have all of my food provided for me by the school, which is basically unheard of. 

After our meeting we relaxed at the hostel and then went out for tapas and drinks.  I felt like this was my first true Spanish experience.  We went to a super cute little family restaurant where the owner was super nice and helpful and recommended a bar for us to visit afterwards.  We went to the bar, which turned out to be super aborable and quirky and I had a pina y fresa (strawberry) colada which was amazing. 

Then off the bed!

Today, Wednesday, most of my friends left me at 12 to go to the bus station. After saying goodbye, my British friend Michael and Canadian friend Natasha and I went on an adventure to find Las Ramblas and the beach.  We were successful and found Las Ramblas first.  Las Ramblas is a giant open market with fresh EVERYTHING! It was amazing and a really great place to visit when in Barcelona.  Then we walk around making our way to the water.  We ended up discovering a beautiful part of town and then ended up at the port.

We soon made our way back to the hostel because Michael and Natasha needed to catch their trains. After a really good lunch with Michael, we said our goodbyes and I was off again. 

This time I had the plan of going to a park with some different attractions… Well I must have gotten off at the wrong metro stop, because I was in a very non-touristy part of town, but I just kept walking till I found some amazing views and eventually found out that I was decently close to the port again.  So I walked back there, and then, determined to make it to the Mediterranean, I walked to the beach. 

I MADE IT TO THE MEDITERRANEAN!

I was so happy when I felt the cool water on my tired feet. All that walking paid off.  And the best part was that I found it all by myself!

12 miles later I am back at the hostel and ll my stuff is packed and ready to fly to Almeria in the morning!

Goodnight world!

So apparently Gaudi was important…

So apparently Gaudi was important…

That’s what I learned today.

After a measly breakfast of cereal and toast my meddeas mates and I were off to the Parc Guell to see about some stuff this guy named Gaudi designed.  I don’t know how, in all of the art classes I’ve taken, I do not recall learning about this man.  Anyways, this park was beautiful and I have some awesome pictures of it on facebook so check it out. 

Then we had lunch at this cute little restaurant. I had hamburgesitas and fries; sorry I’m American.  Then decided we would do a free tour of “Gaudi and Modernism.” It was more than we bargained for… Three HOURS later the eight of us were dead tired and ready to fall asleep so we when back to the hostel to relax a bit. Now don’t get me wrong, Gaudi turned out to be a pretty awesome, religiously grounded, gifted architect… but I could have done without the three hours of walking. 

After relaxing awhile went to the mini supermart and got stuff for dinner and breakfast then came back to the hostel to eat and chat.

Now it is 10:35pm and just about beddy-bye time.  Goodnight world!

Made it to Barcelona.

Made it to Barcelona.

Turns out I was at the wrong terminal, but I figured it out. I sat next to a sneezy, crying girl about my age and I helped her out with some tissues, so that was good! Then we landed, my luggage actually made it! Hallelujah!!! I made a ridiculously bad money exchange because it is Sunday so no banks for me.  Then I hopped in a taxi and told him where I was headed, some nice Irish man helped me carry my bags up the stairs and I checked into my hostel. 

So far I have informed the family that I am alive, gone to a convenience mart, bought a pizza (that wasn’t really that good), been questioned by the hostel guy as to why I am not adventuring yet, and met one of my Meddeas peeps.

So here I sit blogging, waiting for the others to appear, because it is starting to get darker and I’m too afraid to go it alone.

Russia wasn’t ready for the Saco…

Russia wasn’t ready for the Saco… (Chacos with socks for you newbs.)

What are you doing?

Have you lost your mind?

Is this real life?

These are the questions that ran through my mind as I sat on my flight from Dulles to Moscow.  Saving money flying from the U.S. to Barcelona via Moscow through Aeroflot Russian Airlines was honestly a very good decision.  For about half the price, I received complementary wine; a meal of fish, veggies, and cheesecake; a breakfast of ham, omelet, and a twix bar; along with a blanket, pillow, slippers, eye mask, and earphones.  (Needless to say I highly recommend flying Aeroflot.)  But, why? What have I gotten myself into?

Not my will, but Yours.

Its what I’ve been repeating to myself for the past 24hours.  God has brought me this far; He’s got some plan for this grand leap I have taken. 

So I get to Moscow… first thing I see are a decent size group of what I’m pretty sure are Hassidic Jews saying their prayers in the airport.  So that’s a good sign right? I know I would feel safe being on that flight.  However, I am not.  I sit here typing in what I hope is terminal D gate 5 waiting the 2 and a half hours till my flight to Barcelona boards.

I’m playing spot the gringa… so far… there’s me.

I am also sitting beside some middle aged looking men wearing skinny jeans, so that’s fun.  I’m thinking they’re in a band or djs… hopefully.

So this is the start to my long journey.  Still between excited and about to burst into tears, but its okay.  Not my will, but Yours.  I just need some sleep… and water.