Back to Sevilla!

I had a last minute change of plans and decided to travel down to Sevilla for the week and visit Yuki!  It turned out the be the best decision of a lifetime ;)  I studied abroad there in 2003 and had some of the best times with the other students that went to my university!  It was amazing to walk on the same streets and go to the same pubs that we used to go to.  The city has changed quite a bit in 7 years, but the feeling of the city hasn't changed.  The people are so friendly, and there is a Southern Charm to the way things are done. No time is a bad time to stop what you are doing and have a cafe con leche with a friend.  Or maybe you should stop and try some of the southern tapas that have names that translate to "Ox tail," or "Choco sandwiches".

Catedral de Santa María de la Sede

Half way through the trip, Sevilla got hit by some big rain storms.  There was thunder and lightening and everyone would run into the nearest cerveceria for a beer or 5 until the rain stopped.  The christmas lights were hung all over the city, and it was such a charming combination with palm trees and 70 degree weather (at its warmest).  It was such a lovely time to visit.  Although the rain and Christmas decor did make me miss home quite a bit.

El Faro (typical Andalusian bar)

Catedral de Santa María de la Sede

Torre de Oro

After a couple of days, my roommates from Madrid came down and spent the rest of the weekend with us!  We went on a boat ride in Plaza de Espana, then did some shopping near Plaza Nueva.  The only near tragedy was the bus ride home.  Because of all the rain part of the road was washed out and we had to wait for 1.5 hours for them to clear enough mud off the road for us to pass.  Then there was a bad accident further on.  The bus ride that normally takes 6 hours took us 9.5.  Let me tell you, home was a happy sight!  I'm back to work tomorrow, and then a couple more weeks before I head to Paris for Christmas!  I need to get my camera fixed before I head there.  When I was in Rome I dropped it, so this trip's pictures are compliments of my friend Yvette's camera.  

Plaza Espana

Yuki and pretty plaza

A Roman Holiday!

Bike Ride Through Rome

Spanish Steps

I spent my first Holiday in Europe!! Halloween in Rome is precious.  There's just no other way to describe it!  Little kids running around ancient streets dressed as ghosts and goblins, yelling trick or treat (but in the way only kids with Italian accents can say it).  Every store is decorated with an Italian sense of fashion.  No gross witches with warts, but pretty little girl witches.  Spider webs made from fine silver chains... It's the same holiday, but with a finesse that Italy is famous for.  Then, my excellent Italian tour guide, Massimo (a friend I met in Madrid who lives in Rome) took me on a tour of Rome on bikes!  The weather couldn't have been better.  It was warm and crisp, and on every corner the street vendors were roasting chestnuts!  The aroma of Rome in Autumn is overwhelming.  We rode from Villa Borghese all the way to Piazza San Pietro.  Every turn would reveal a small Piazza with a fountain, or a Villa with moss covered cobble stones.  Then at night, the people take over the streets, and we walked the city of Rome down the center of the streets, looking into Store fronts like Fendi, Prada, D&G, Bvlgari, etc.  The churches open their doors to the masses, and you quietly enter the church and listen to a musician, or admire the fresco painted ceilings.  I've never felt a city so alive before.  I've been to Rome once before, but this experience was completely different.  It was as it was my first time all over again.  I was hesitant to return to Rome because there is only so many weekends I can travel, but I'm glad I went.  Here are some photos of the city.

domes of  Rome

A visit from Yuki!

So my friend Yuki from Portland recently moved to Barcelona, and we both had long weekends, so she hopped on the bus and came to visit!  We had an amazing weekend exploring the city.  It was a great excuse for me to go and see some of the sights that I've been wanting to see since I've only been here for a few weeks now.  A fellow English teacher Nic lived here last year and was a great guide!  We went to the Palace Real and wandered through some of the oldest parts of Madrid.  I took a few random pics and then my battery died.  Story of my life.  Then, after a long day of walking the beautiful streets of a city founded in the 9th century (courtesy of wikipedia), we made an emergency stop for a frappuccino at Starbucks.  

My Brother, Blaine, comes to visit on Friday, so I'll get some more sight seeing done!  I'm super excited!  Other trips on the itinerary; Rome for Halloween, Hamburg for Christmas.  I'm thinking I'll hit Berlin on my way to Hamburg, and then maybe spend NYE in Prague or Amsterdam.  Any Suggestions?

Teaching...

Here is a pic of my piso btw!  It's not huge, but it has a little balcony over looking the street.

Today was my official 1st day of actual work.  Everything seems pretty chaotic, but I'm hoping that time will remedy that.  I had to "present" (they teach British English) myself to each class.  Everyone got a kick out of me having 5 siblings who all have "B" names.  I've been feeling a little guilty because I haven't been emailing people pics, but I've published all my Spain albums on Facebook to be accessible to anyone.  You're welcomed to check them out.  My email is brycetbutcher@gmail.com if you'd like to send me a message!

Here's a picture of my school!  I'm teaching 3rd and 4th graders, so that translates to 8-10 yr old students (I think).  Of course I remember the trouble makers' names, the boys who are named "Nacho", and the girls who are named "Paloma" (because The Senas were going to name Mia Paloma, and for some reason it stuck in my head).

Piso

I thought I would be able to find an apartment in 4 days... turns out I was sorely mistaken!  My Spanish is not nearly what I thought it was.  In fact, I feel like it's worse a week into it than it was before I came.  Anyway, I couldn't get a hold of anyone on the phone or through email, so the day crept up on me that I had to be out of my hostal, and I had NOWHERE to go!  I sat in the lobby with my suitcases and my laptop on my lap thinking....what next?!?!?  (I think I even said a quick little prayer)  Then I remembered that I had looked at this attic room where these Americans from Portland Oregon (yes, I said Portland) were living.  It was dark, and gross, and I couldn't imagine living there (I think I even mentioned it in my earlier blog).  I asked them if I could stay with them a few days until I could find a proper room, and thankfully they said yes!  The night I get there, their Landlord comes and tells us he has a 3 bedroom apartment down the hall coming open!!! I can't believe it!  So, long story short, I'm living with two kids from Portland, Zack and Marissa!  More to come later, but it's a tiny little apartment, but it has 2 bathrooms and a little terrace that looks over a very Spanish street!  Pics to follow!

1st 4 days

It's been a whirlwind of a week here!  I got really sick the 2nd day and had to visit a "Centro Salud" to see a Dr.  I got an ear infection from flying.  But I'm happy to report that I got some antibiotics and I'm on the up!  Went to orientation and met 3 others from Portland Oregon!  It's a small world!  They wanted me to be their roommate, but the room they had was basically a crawl space.  You couldn't stand up in it.  I may not have super high standards, but I feel like it's ok require head room.  I'm going to look at a place tomorrow on a street called Fuencarral.  It's this amazing shopping street right in the middle of everything!  I hope it's as cute as the pictures.  The guy on the phone was super bossy and insisted that I be there at 11:30 on the DOT!  But that is one thing I'm figuring out...Spanish Folk are very DIRECT.  There are no niceties.

Haven't had any fantastic food experiences yet... but I know I will soon.  I ordered a salad with chicken, and it was iceburg lettuce swimming in thousand island dressing with ketchup drizzled over it.  I almost puked.

Puerta del Sol

Gran Via

Here are some pics of Gran Via and Puerta del Sol!  I need to get better at photography!  I'm still figuring out my camera!

ESTOY AQUI!!!!

I made it safe and sound!  The Metro in Madrid is BEAUTIFUL (compared to NYC, that is).  It has these crazy moving stairs called escalators!!  Which, after dragging my luggage around NYC's, was a big relief.  I've broken 2 of my 5 piece luggage set, and I left my iphone in a cab (but the cab driver actually brought it to my hostal!!!), and I'm so tired, I feel like I need a triple shot infused redbull.  But other than that, this place is amazing!  I've attached a picture of my luxurious view from my hostal room.

Other than that, not a lot to tell.  I did meet 2 girls on my flight from NYC who are in my program, and they are both going to be in my group for orientation.  So that's pretty cool!  I'll write more later (and include more interesting photos)

And please look past any typo's, my internet spellcheck is in spanish at the moment.

Minor Details

I've realized that I really haven't been very explicit about the details of the program I'm to be a part of.  People keep asking, "so why are you going to Spain?" and I'm tempted to say, "for the wine."  The wine might have something to do with it, but unfortunately, sitting back with a glass of Rioja won't pay the rent.  

I was very fortunate to be a recipient of an educational grant through the Ministry of Education of Spain.  As part of the stipulations of the grant, I will be a cultural ambassador in one of their schools.  The school I was assigned to is an elementary school in a suburb of Madrid called Las Rozas.  map of Las Rozas  The fantastic part of the program (besides the fact I'll be LIVING in SPAIN) is that I'll receive full medical coverage and only be working 12-16 hours a week!  Hopefully that will leave me with plenty of time to explore the great cities of Europe!  Or, more likely, to get a second gig.

T Minus 15

15 days until I start my Madrid adventure.  Visa, check. FBI criminal records, check. Camera, check. ONE WAY TICKET TO MADRID, check!  My plan is to stop over in NYC to visit a few friends, and then hop in a plane straight over to the Continental Mediterranean climate of Madrid.  Follow along if you'd like.  I can't promise that I'll update everyday, but I'll do my best to share the funniest, most exciting, or most bazaar experiences I encounter.