The Run Down:
- I moved to Ourense.

-Ourense is much smaller than Madrid and in the mountains.

- I am living with another family.

-Mom (Maria), Dad (Javier), Samuel (9), and Nico (3)

-We play Pirates a lot.

-My Spanish is better when I’m drunk.

-I eat a lot.

- The government messed up my visa.

-I start school this week.

 

 

Last  Monday I finished my time in Madrid, and had to say goodbye to the most lovely family, who I am forever grateful for. I can’t imagine my first two weeks in Spain without them. Paco took me to the airport and explain in his best English that I was to wait until my train platform was announced then carry my bags and board, five hours later, I would depart at Ourense. This seemed quite easy, except for the fact that I had my entire life packed in 4 bags: a backpack, two large suitcases, a snowboard bag, and my pillow.  It was while I was waiting that I realized I never checked to see if there was a bag limit. Of course, when I checked online there was a three-bag limit, as well as, a weight limit (which was in kilos so I had no idea how many pounds, but I knew I’d be over). I checked a few other websites, and they claimed it was very lax; if you could “lug” it, you could take it. Given my Spanish level, it wasn’t worth trying to ask. I figured if there was a problem I’d just “play” stupid.  Two hours later my train platform was given, and I rushed to board. Thankfully, no one said anything about my excessive baggage. 

 

The train ride was pleasant enough. It was new and clean. I attempted to watch the movie they played ( but had no idea what was going on).  At one point the train stopped and an announcement was made and several people got up and off the train. I asked the lady next to me if she spoke English, and luckily she spoke enough to tell me “we are stopped because there is a fire”. I thanked her and rested back in my chair, happy to know what the announcement had been. But, then I realized we were stopped because there is a FIRE?! I had no idea if they meant at the train station, ON the train, in the mountains?! However, no one else was freaking out so I decided it wasn’t worth my energy.  Our train started up again and an hour later my questions were answered as we drove through heavy smoke from a forest fire.

 

I arrived in Ourense and my new host family picked me up. This family consists of Javier (father), Maria (mother), Samuel (9), and Nico (3). Both boys were much more shy than the two girls I had lived with before.  However, after living with them for a week, they are warming up.   The apartment is much smaller than the other, one floor, with a room for the two boys, one for me, one for the parents, a living room and a kitchen.  The family was very welcoming, but the level of English is much lower. Maria does not speak any and Javier speaks very little (I say very little, but his English is better than my Spanish) The first few days Javier was on holiday, so he helped me get settled in. One of the first things I had to do when I arrived in Ourense was get my temporary resident card (so I can open a bank account and get paid). Now, the visa process before was stressful, but I received it in time and expected no problems when I arrived. However, because my Spanish is poor, I asked Javier to go with me, and it’s a good thing he did. At the police station they told me they could not give me my card because the visa had been issued for another providence and only that city could give me a card (of course, it was on the other side of the country). The lady at the police station directed us to another office that helps with foreign affairs. The man there informed us he also could not do anything but his boss might be able to. Two days later (when Javier was back at work, and I was riding solo) I met with the boss, who called the director of the other providence, and she told me everything was taken care of and I could go to the police station to receive my card (or so I thought).  However, when I arrived at the police station they again told me there was a problem, and I would have to come back the next day. When I came back I was instructed to take a number, an hour later I was seen and told I needed to go get different pictures taken because my passport photos were too big. Then, I needed to go pay the bank for my card (mind you this is all in Spanish so I was never completely sure what I was suppose to be doing). I did what I thought they were telling me to do and when I returned I took another ticket…two hours later I got my card! (and by got my “card” I mean “paper” that told me to come back in 20 days to get my card, so at this point I’m still not 100% sure everything worked out, but my fingers are crossed).

 

In addition to trying to sort out my visa, I have spent my days exploring the city, eating more food than anyone should (yet my family keeps insisting I eat more), reading, playing pirates with the boys and continuously feeling ridiculously stupid for how little Spanish I know. However, on the bright side, I have already met quite a few other people in my program, two of which are from Nebraska! I’ve gone out with them a few nights (trying to adjust to the “leave at midnight, return at 5am” lifestyle.  One night I went out with a guy in the program and his Spanish roommates, who informed me my Spanish was very good (which I haven’t been told since I’ve been here), so either my Spanish gets better when I’m drunk…or they were drunk.  Either way, I think drinking here will be good for me ;)

 

On a more professional note, I start teaching tomorrow and STILL have not been told ANYTHING. I know the director is picking me up and 9:20 and that’s it. I don’t know what to wear, what to bring, what I’ll be doing ,  or what my schedule is but the teacher doesn’t seem concerned so I’m trying to relax and just see how it goes.  I will fill you in soon. But adios for now!