Oh man, how slowly the teenager classes went by today. The ups and downs of teaching, as in any job of course. On a positive note, the children have been reined in with bribery tactics! Yay for that.
On another positive note (of many), I have discovered tortilla and croquette heaven on my block! Am trying to resist the urge to go there every day. Also, I had a nice long weekend, one day of which I spent going to Segovia - pictures below. What a gorgeous town, so medieval and beautiful with its 12th century churches, the impressive Roman aqueduct, and the castle that looks like Disneyland. I think it must the one that all animated films use as the model. Walking through the town you feel as though you've been transported to another world - old Castile, Castilian land, called so because of all the castles because of the Moorish wars, where they still speak Castellano, even in Madrid that doesn't resemble anything having to do with castles. But yet it is there, a half hour away. Anyway, I highly recommend Segovia. Apparently the thing to eat there is roasted baby pig, which I didn't do, but I did have a delicious stew of mushrooms and mystery meat.
Life here in general is rolling along. I am trying to kick my Spanish into high gear as I'm in a very frustrating pre-intermediate stage still, and I'm really tired of feeling like an idiot most of the time when I interact with the general population. The other day one of my middle schoolers made fun of my Spanish, to which I retorted, oh yeah?! But I know English really well! Nice comeback Natasha, very nice.
It feels very weird to be far from the election, which I would be following all the time if I was back home, but at the same time it's cool to talk about it with my adult students. It's interesting how aware they are of mostly everything that goes on in the US. One of the teachers at school commented how the rest of the world should have a 20% vote in the US election because it affects it so much. I sort of agree!On another positive note (of many), I have discovered tortilla and croquette heaven on my block! Am trying to resist the urge to go there every day. Also, I had a nice long weekend, one day of which I spent going to Segovia - pictures below. What a gorgeous town, so medieval and beautiful with its 12th century churches, the impressive Roman aqueduct, and the castle that looks like Disneyland. I think it must the one that all animated films use as the model. Walking through the town you feel as though you've been transported to another world - old Castile, Castilian land, called so because of all the castles because of the Moorish wars, where they still speak Castellano, even in Madrid that doesn't resemble anything having to do with castles. But yet it is there, a half hour away. Anyway, I highly recommend Segovia. Apparently the thing to eat there is roasted baby pig, which I didn't do, but I did have a delicious stew of mushrooms and mystery meat.
Life here in general is rolling along. I am trying to kick my Spanish into high gear as I'm in a very frustrating pre-intermediate stage still, and I'm really tired of feeling like an idiot most of the time when I interact with the general population. The other day one of my middle schoolers made fun of my Spanish, to which I retorted, oh yeah?! But I know English really well! Nice comeback Natasha, very nice.
1st - 2nd century aqueduct that still transports water! Super impressive
Your average Gothic cathedral. There were gargoyles, oh yes.
Medieval Alcazar built on another Roman fort. Very cool inside. Lots of knights and stained glass.
