Robyn.Bowles.es

Even Spanish time seems to slip by slyly as i realize it’s been eleven days since the last post. Samuel suggested that I just try to write about the past day or so, not try to catch up on eleven days; but there are several things I want to remember about the past eleven days, too. . .

Spanish: I have three weeks done. It is hard. I wonder if there will be a moment when all of a sudden a switch goes on in my head and suddenly, I will be able to understand it all! At times (a veces) while I’m in class, my brain just seems to get lost in a cloud (un nube) and I have no idea what I’m hearing – it may as well be Chinese. Other times I find myself translating in my head the things that I am saying in English. And then there are moments when I can’t even seem to find the English words I want to use. I hope the switch gets turned on soon.

Apartment: I am happy to report that we have found a place to call our own! Actually, just the room and attached office will be called our own, and we will share the rest of the apartment with the woman living there now. It is a beautiful and very large apartment in the center of Madrid. We had a frustrating experience trying to find a place. We looked at two other apartments, both of which we so tiny I was afraid I would develop clausterphobia. We had met the woman with the flat to share between seeing the other two apartments, and after seeing her apartment, it was hard to imagine settling for the others we had seen for the same price. So, our flatmate’s name is Isabelle. She is French, probably in her thirties, divorced. She speaks Spanish and English very well and is in Madrid working for a French Magzine. We’ve met her twice and she is very nice and pleasant. We will also be sharing the apartment with two well-mannered cats. One is very timid, the other is friendly. We will start bringing things over on Monday, and will spend our first night on either Saturday or Sunday (6th or 7th of Sept.).

Friends: I will miss Kelly and April when we move out of here; though they are only a 20 minute walk away, and we will plan to continue to see them at their weekly Community Group meeting at their home. They have been a constant source of friendship and encouragement, and it has been great to be around them. We’ve also spent time getting to know another couple – Troy and Heather – who live in a Northwest suburb Madrid. They invited us over for a real American breakfast last week Saturday. We also met one of my Spanish “pen-pals” and her sister this week. Noemi and Myriam live just a bit north of where we are now. We spent 3 hours together talking – mostly in English – and getting to know one another. They have already invited us to join them at the Prado Museum on Sunday to see the Titian exhibit (Sunday we will speak Spanish!), and to a “V.O.” (version original) American movie next week: Bowling for Columbine.

Tranquilidad: I have found two places that I have named my “favorite places” (los lugares favoritos). They are both part of Parque de Oeste which is a long, beautiiful park 10 minutes walk from here. One area is behind the “Templo de Debod” which is an ancient Egyptian temple which was gifted to the city of Madrid from the Egyptian government. Behind it is a beautiful scenic overlook of Casa de Campo (a very, very large park) and part of the city; it is silouetted by a mountain range to the northwest. The other area is a huge, gorgeous rose garden full of hundreds of different roses between park benches, fountains and statues. It is comforting to know that such tranquil places exist in the heart of this very large city. Our new place is also close to Retiro Parque, which is also quite large, though without the scenic overlook.

Emotions: This is a tough one. I’m not sure how to express how I feel. I do feel relaxed (except when I’m in Spanish class), and very thankful for the friendships we’ve made already. I think that being able to truly unpack and settle in our own place will bring a greater sense of reality to all of this. Of course, being here with Samuel helps a lot. It eases the pain of lonliness in a new culture and homesickness because we can be home to one another. We’ve both noticed much less back and other musculoskelatal problems – which used to be a daily hindrance for both of us. I do miss you, my friends, family, and co-workers. I miss familiar things and familiar people.

Madrid: What a beautiful and vibrant city! Always something going on – always people in the streets. This weekend marks the end of the official vacation season which lasts the whole month of August. There are shops and restaurants everwhere with the doors closed (heavy, metal garage-type doors or thick bars cover the doors and windows when they are closed) and signs stating “Cerrado por vacaciones. Abrir en Septiembre” (Closed for vacation. To open in September). I can’t imagine how different everything will be when all these shops open again and all the people return from the coast!
We’ve already had two experiences with the infamous pickpocketers of Puerta del Sol (a very busy, touristy area known for it’s pickpocketers). The first was at night when I noticed a woman’s hand in the purse of my friend who was next to me – I instinctively grapped her wrist and said “hey” – that’s all I said. I didn’t know enough Spanish to say “what do you think you are doing, get your hand out of there!” Fortunately, she had not taken anything. The second time was last week in the afternoon when Samuel and I were waiting for a friend in front of a restaurant – he saw a group of women together posing like tourists (they were holding an open map) who went up behind a woman wearing a backpack. While one held the map up to block what the other was doing, she unzipped the back pocket and removed the wallet. Once Samuel realized that they weren’t with the woman with the back pack he, too, instinctively ran up and grabbed the pickpocketer’s arm. The “victim” kept walking forward, but soon realized that something had happened and turned around. Again, with very limited Spanish, Samuel just pointed to the woman (his hand still holding her arm). There was a lot of confusion, but suddenly the wallet fell to the ground and the woman got it back. The “robbers” did not appreciate being apprehended and after all was settled they came up to Samuel and tapped on his glasses and said to me “Tu novio necesita gafas nueva!” (Your boyfriend needs new glasses!) They then walked off in the direction from which they came.

Birthday: Yep, another year. How exciting that I get to spend it in Spain! Samuel surprised me this morning by walking into my class with a bouquet of beautiful, very long-stem roses. We had a greasy lunch at “Fusion Food” restaurant (I had Mexican food prepared by Chinese people in Spain! – how international!) Tonight we are going to see Lara Croft Tomb Raider with April and Kelly. Feliz Cumpleaños a mi!

« Birthday Gift     Thanks »