Robyn.Bowles.es

Well I am happy to say that the train/bus route went very well today! There were plenty of open seats throughout my journey. The bus ride from the station to the office took only six minutes, and I did not get nauseated!

The train is a much more favorable means of transportation here because most of the time it is above ground – which allows the circulation of “fresh” air (albeit polluted). It is also a fairly straight and smooth journey so I am able to read and write and work on lesson plans for thirty minutes.

I also discovered a bus / walk / train route for my Tuesday and Thursday afternoon class today. I staked it out after my class today and by the time I got to the train station I realized that there exists an even shorter route than the one I took today. One I couldn’t see on the map.

I enjoy the route home from the west side of the city. The train passes through Casa de Campo, which is a huge natural park spanning half the length of the city to the west. At this time of year the trees and grass are a deep, brilliant green. Some vines display flaming red leaves cascading over fences and along walls. Roses seem to be at a peak, along with several other types of flowers.

To see a picture of all this, one would think it was mid-May. Although Madrid is at the same longitude as New York, the change of seasons is much more gradual than the forty to fifty degree temperature change that is not unusual to occur within a week in Michigan.

So today was a good day. Trains ran well. The sun was shining, and I saw a lot of nature.

The other stuff – Metros and pollution and out-of-control kids and endless hours of lesson planning, which includes teaching myself grammar – has been paying its toll: I spent at least twelve hours planning lessons over the weekend, and I still have doubts about what to teach and how. I haven’t been to a museum in several weeks – and only twice before that; and my Spanish study is extremely limited.

One year ago today, we chose to leave because I was tired of being consumed by work. We chose Spain because we wanted to learn Spanish. We chose central Madrid because of its art and history and endless things to see and do. And what did I do on the weekend? I woke up at 7:00 am on Sunday so I could plan what on earth I’m going to teach twenty-five poorly behaved kids whose parents make them study English, and fourteen adults whose bosses make them learn English. And during the week I am usually either out teaching English, or at home, speaking English to Samuel and Isabelle.

Something is wrong with this picture. I wonder what I would be like if I had a job that I could NOT prepare for everyday even if I wanted to. Would I then finally be able to pursue the dreams I so desperately want to realize?

Wherever I go, there I am.

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