Blogs from Estepa, Seville, Andalusia, Spain, Europe

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Europe » Spain » Andalusia » Seville » Estepa June 19th 2011

It is now Friday, 6/17, and I’m back on the blog. Just going to hit the highlights and hope to remember all the wonderful sights we have seen. Tuesday Tuesday morning we left beautiful Granada for Seville with a stop in Cordoba to see the Mosque and the old Jewish Quarter. Our guide, Carmen, lives in Cordoba and loves the city with a passion that infected us all. Our first stop was the Jewish Quarter. Prior to the reconquesta by the Catholics from the Moors, the culture lived peacefully together with three religions, Islam, the official religion, Christianity, and Judeism. Once the Catholics gained control the Jews were restricted to living in a particular area, basically a ghetto. During the Inquisition, the Jews either had to convert or were expelled. Those who converted were never really ... read more
CORDOBA AND SEVILLE
CORDOBA AND SEVILLE
CORDOBA AND SEVILLE

Europe » Spain » Andalusia » Seville » Estepa November 29th 2010

My Great Grandma Dot. She is truly the brain, heart and boss of our family. She is 86 years old, practically blind (but would never admit it), lived through the Second World War, an artist, a mother, a grandma, a great grandma and a wonderful soul. I just rang her for a chat. If there’s any time you need to talk, she is the person to do it with. You always put the phone down feeling happy. She repeats herself, ‘like a radish;’ as she always says, but you get the point. “Don’t worry about your money bank. Its your memory bank that will keep you going in life.” She asked, as always, if I was happy and smiling. Of course, I usually am, which led her to say, “that’s the one thing I miss, seeing ... read more

Europe » Spain » Andalusia » Seville » Estepa November 28th 2010

Yesterday, (Saturday 27th Nov) we had Thanksgiving in our flat! My housemates, Danica & Rachel are American and clearly it is an important & nice celebration to have. So we organised a get together, for all the language assistants in Estepa to come round, bring something to eat & drink and have our own 'International' Thanksgiving. It was on the wrong day, it was raining outside, it was chaotic, but it was amazing. There were our French friends, Spanish friends (& one of our teachers that we work with!) Americans & Brits, 14 of us in total (a bit of a squeeze in our living room!) I was on mash potato making duty, Danica made some great apple pies & Rachel (something I've never tried before but loved) a sweet potato casserole (with marshmallows on top!). ... read more
todo el mundo :)
Teresa, Rachel, Charléne, Me & Danica !
drink, drink, drink.

Europe » Spain » Andalusia » Seville » Estepa November 25th 2010

On Wednesday we went to a Donkey Refuge with Level 1 & 2 (11-13 year olds) - I think I was more excited than them! We got on a coach to another little village, Fuente de Piedra, it was one of the loudest coach experiences I've ever known in my life - singing, lots of singing, shouting, screaming, very loud talking; but all part & parcel of wonderful spanish children. We arrived at 'El Refugio del Burrito,' (burro - donkey, burrito - little donkey, not the food!) & (clearly) saw a lot of donkeys and mules. They had all been rescued and brought there. Probably luckily for me, the whole tour was in English, because the trip was for bilingual students, but it was translated every now & again. Especially after the guide said, "And i'm ... read more
Todo el mundo!
Headbutt from the donkey.
Grooming time.

Europe » Spain » Andalusia » Seville » Estepa November 20th 2010

One thing I love here is the food. Platos, raciones, tapas, menu del día. Whatever form it comes in, it is always great (and sometimes completely different to what you ordered. But I guess that makes it more fun.) My favourite thing actually being una media (toast) y cola cao (hot chocolate) at a cafe near my school. Not as boring as it seems. This little cafetería is on the corner, it is part of a pensioners meeting place (clearly, always full with elderly men who, drink sherry first thing in the morning), it is tiny, has 3 tables, no door (just one of those stringy blind things to keep flys out) and two lovely bar staff. I wake up, have breakfast at my flat, go to school, teach for 3 hours, then get asked “vas ... read more
Churros
Cafe Venezia

Europe » Spain » Andalusia » Seville » Estepa November 20th 2010

I get it a lot. Or more than I thought I would at least. It comes as quickly as it goes (which feels like I've been smacked in the face with a ton of bricks; that kind of quick) so I guess its a good thing it leaves quickly too. But it is an awful feeling. I realise I'm not as far away as some of my American friends (I can't even imagine what that must be like) but everyone is different. It doesn't make it easier when you feel that way, to know home is a 3 hour flight away. It just makes you wonder how quickly could you figure out a flight to get back. But luckily I have some amazing people around me here, and in the UK. Tapas & vino seem to ... read more

Europe » Spain » Andalusia » Seville » Estepa October 24th 2010

I've neglected this blog a bit. (a lot). SO in a nutshell - I'm going into my third month of living in Spain. Weirdly, it feels like it should be at least five. Probably because it feels very homely here and as it something I've always wanted to do. Also, now know that family & loved ones aren't too far away; I feel a lot more settled. I think I've finally accepted the idea that this is my home for the next 5 months and everything is finding its place, 'poco a poco' (bit by bit). School is great. I'm realising my role & developing ideas for activities in classes, I'm realising more & more that I would love to be a teacher (primary or high school still not exactly decided) or at least in education, ... read more
Our little hostal in Las Alpujarras
Hostal & dog!
Catedral de Cádiz

Europe » Spain » Andalusia » Seville » Estepa October 11th 2010

Last week was interesting, to say the least. I had my first week at school, language assistant orientation, NIE (National Identity Card) issues, missing post, lots of trips to Seville, my first hostel adventure, FLU! And plenty of rain. So a lot of ups & downs ! I really enjoyed last week at school. It was my first experience of all the lessons I’m going to be helping with, including Geography (which I was dreading, but was actually great). More than anything I am really impressed with the level of the kids English at this school, it is easily better than my Spanish ever was through high school! Also, I have a good mix of ‘Levels’ to help (Level 1 - Year 7, Level 2 - Year 8 etc.) I probably shouldn’t have a favourite group, ... read more
Queuing in the early hours!
Outside the Catedral de Sevilla
Hostel room! Bunkbeds!!




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