Our New Place!

Although there are a few things I'd still like to change up, I'm pretty happy with how our new place is looking! A trip to Ikea, some rearranging, new items - a TV, air conditioner, and a new washing machine and refrigerator being delivered tomorrow, are making for a pretty amazing place. It's definitely starting to feel like "home." Can't wait to start having visitors and more houseguests!

A space and table that I think will prove to be perfect for

dinners, entertaining, and maybe even flip cup . . .

our kitchen

living room and small terrace

my new Ikea purchase

my room

not always loving the noise, but loving the terrace!

the super-big bathroom

the little bathroom

Italy - amazing time after time!

Our recent trip to Cinque Terre confirmed the fact that there are few places I enjoy as much as Italy. Time and time again, I have loved every place I have visited there - Venice, Florence, Siena, Milan, Sardinia, and now Cinque Terre.

What made this trip so amazing? I think it was many things. First of all, the location was incredible. On the coast, yet built into the hills, "the 5 lands" could not have been more beautiful. The sea was stunning shades of blue, the hills so green, and the weather perfect. It was amazing. The fact that towns were full of multi-colored buildings just added to the postcard look of the place.

the view from our balcony in Monterosso

hiking into Vernazza

boats could be found everywhere, especially in Riomaggiore

I had anticipated that Cinque Terre would be full of tourists as well. Although there were plenty of them, most seemed to be Italian. The towns were bustling, but it was never overwhelming. I loved hearing Italian everywhere, particularly the old men yelling across the street to one another. The intonation, the words, the way people speak - I think I love Italian as much as I love Spanish.

Considering one of my most favorite foods is pesto, it's no wonder I loved Cinque Terre - a region known for it's pesto (due to the climate). I have never tasted such fresh, delicious pesto sauce in my life. I made it a personal mission to have at least one dish a day with pesto and I'm happy to say I accomplished my goal. :) In addition to that, the mozzarella, tomatoes, citrus fruits, wines, everything was delicious. And even better, it was so reasonable!

One of my favorite meals - pasta with pomodoro, parmigiana, and pesto.

Cinque Terre was such a relaxing place to be - whether sitting on our balcony reading, laying on the beach, or hiking between the five towns, I felt at peace. Needless to say, we were very sad to leave. I have no doubt that I will be back in Cinque Terre soon!

Our last night in Monterosso :(

Switzerland - the opposite of Spain? Almost!

The hills are alive with the sound of music . . .

Since Emily moved to Switzerland two years ago I've been dying to visit her. From her stories and pictures to "The Sound of Music," I always wondered what it would be like. Although I had some expectations, I have to admit that it fully surpassed them!

First of all, Switzerland is definitely the most naturally beautiful place I have ever been. The mountains, the lakes, the rolling green hills, the colorful flowers found everywhere - wow. Many times it seemed like I was looking at photo-shopped pictures! From what Emily told me, it's clear that Swiss customs have kept the country looking so beautiful. The rules and regulations regarding laundry, garbage, recycling, etc. are pretty impressive!

Such quiet, clean streets, even after Swiss Day!

I imagine Switzerland also keeps out too many tourists (purposefully or not?) due to the cost of things. Emily had always said it was expensive there, so I was expecting it. However, it proved to be even more so than I imagined! For example, a beer usually cost around 7 swiss francs, which is about equal to the euro. A kebab - 10, take-out Chinese - 18, a bus ticket - 2.80, a train ticket - 20-240! Wow. It really was shocking. Unless you are being paid accordingly (or happen to have a lot of money), there is no way someone could spend very long in Switzerland.

I was also amazed by the trust and safety there. Very few people lock up their bikes, watch their bags, or lock their doors. It just seems to be known that people won't take what isn't theirs. Amazing! In addition, people were so helpful and friendly. If we were lost, someone would quickly offer to help.

Bikes were everywhere! And I think 90% of them weren't locked up!

I also began to really enjoy hearing Swiss-German. In general, I don't particularly like the sound of the German language. However, Swiss-German has such a sing-song quality to it - it really grew on me, even though I had no idea what was being said! And, like in most European countries, it was so impressive to know that these people understood so many languages. (Apparently Swiss-German is only a spoken language, so most Swiss also speak/read/write high German, as well as English, French, and Italian, depending on what region they live in.)

I loved Switzerland - I felt like I was on a mountain holiday while there! The quietness, the fresh air, the natural beauty - it was incredible. Yet another reason I love living in Europe - a 1.5 hour flight and I can be in a place where the landscape, the people, the foods, the language, and the lifestyle can be completely different, yet equally fantastic.

However, in so many ways, Switzerland almost seemed to be the opposite of Spain. And, at the end of the day, I was ready to be back here - the noise, the energy, the 2 euro beers, the sea. All of these things, for me, make up for the fact that I have to watch my purse at all moments, that the streets might not be clean, that tourists are everywhere, and that most things aren't exactly efficient! Oh, Espana - I love you!

Newbies!

This summer I've been the coordinator for new teachers at ASB. When Mark asked if I would be interested, I jumped at the chance for a number of reasons. I SO appreciated Katharine, who had been the coordinator when I started. I also loved all of the work I did with new teachers in APS. But I think the main reason I was interested is because I love Spain SO much and I always want other people to love it as much as I do. I know this won't always be the case, but I figure whatever I can do to help that happen, whether it include creating a tour itinerary for friends and family or showing new teachers around town, it's well worth it!

Because we have so many new teachers this year, it's proved to be quite a job! Nothing too difficult, but lots of planning, organizing, emailing, and trying to keep information straight. I was definitely feeling a bit of stress from it, but now that almost everyone has arrived I feel so much better. It's fun to see and talk to everyone and remember what it was like when I first arrived in Spain two years ago. This group seems to have an amazing range of experiences and stories - international teaching is fascinating! They are so energetic, social, and fun. It makes me excited to think that some of these new people will likely become good friends this year as well.

And, as the responsibilities of this job wind down, I'm getting more and more excited to begin my second year at ASB and no longer be one of the new kids on the block . . .

in the right place - literally AND figuratively

I'm sure it's the start of a new year, as well as many conversations in the past two weeks about men and life abroad, that has caused me to reflect on my life in Spain, in relation to the opposite sex. Although I have only had one definable relationship in my time here, there have been a few guys that have caught my eye.

Anna knew two of them and we often discussed the importance of timing when it comes to relationships. Whether it be the time in one's life or the physical place one happens to be, timing really does seem to be everything!

I've been thinking about how in one case, the timing and place were off - although never impossible, it's pretty difficult to start something while in two different countries. In another, the place could have worked, but the timing was just a little too late. And in the last, the place was perfect, but the timing in life was all wrong.

I have always been, and think I will always be, a hopeless romantic; so, I believe love can overcome most obstacles, time and place included. However, I also hope that the next guapo that really catches my eye happens to be in the right place and time, both literally and figuratively. :)

New Address!

Although we've still got some work to do, Tessa and I have successfully moved into our new place! I will post some pictures once we've visited Ikea and added the finishing touches. Here's my updated contact info which includes a kind of crazy street name and my first ever Spanish "home" phone number! :)

Carrer l'Hostal d'en Sol, 7

3° B

08003 Barcelona

Spain

Home: +34 932 691 114

Cell: +34 658 157 504