Shooting Up… on the Bus?

Riding the bus through the mountain on my back from my last workday in Granada, I was prepared for many things: obnoxiously loud chatter, an intercom blasting ’90s American music, and (I hoped) a nap in the big, comfy seats.

I wasn’t prepared to see a man sneak into the bus’ exit stairwell, withdraw a syringe, and hold his lighter underneath a tiny bowl constructed of tin foil until it–and the syringe–disappeared.

But that’s exactly what I saw. Who know’s what I’ll see on my next bus ride.

Kids Ask the Darndest Things

Did Santa Clause’s clothes turn red because he drank so much Coca-Cola?

Why don’t the three Magic Kings bring presents to America? Can the camels not cross the ocean?

The questions were plentiful and, at times, puzzling. But if nothing else, I picked up on a Santa myth I had long bought into.

On Christmas Eve, Santa doesn’t visit all of the boys and girls around the world. He skips Spain.

A Love Affair with Barcelona

Everyone has strong opinions on Barcelona. Usually it’s “Love the architecture. Hate the people.”

Having been turned completely off of Paris for the same reason, I was leery about Barcelona. But to my surprise, the people were some of the kindest people I have yet to meet in Spain. And it’s hard to imagine any more beautiful.

So my verdict? “Love it. Love it All.”

Lost in Barcelona… Almost

When I arrived in Barcelona Friday night at midnight,  I was greeted from an email from Leslie, the friend I was there to meet. There were two Hostel Centrics, and we were each at different ones. And, of course, our phones wouldn’t let us call each other.

Thanksgiving (Spanish Style)

Thanksgiving outside of the United States is a strange experience… largely because no one knows what the holiday is. And also because family is far far away.

But if you can find special people to spend the day with, the day might just be the best Thanksgiving ever. For that, I’m thankful…

Paparazzi

I have gradeschool paparazzi.

Sitting in a restaurant eating tapas as usual, two little girls peaked over the backs of their chairs to wave at me.

“Do you teach them?” Brittany asked.

“No,” I said. “I have no idea who they are.”

But they knew who I was.

After about 20 more minutes of peaking and waving, they told my Spanish friend Carolina they heard that my name was Aleisha and I was the American English teacher in Guadix. They asked Carolina to tell me “hi.”

¡Truco o Trato!

When I studied in Sevilla two years ago, no one really knew what Halloween was. And if they did, they didn’t really care.

So on Halloween, I figured it was just another day here in Guadix. The doorbell rang, and I peered through the peephole, unsure who would be at my door. It was a little witch, Dracula, and pumpkin.

“¡Truco o trato!” they said.

Luckily, I still had candy from the States in my room.

Later that day, I went to Pedro Martinez for the weekend, little ghosts, skeletons, and Shreks were everywhere.

Apparently, America is everywhere. Even Spain.

Tarta de Calabaza

It was Halloween, and to celebrate the Anglo-occasion, the adult English school was throwing a pumpkin pie contest. And as the trusty American, I was called into help/teach/cook/win the contest with Leti.

Oddly enough the Spaniards, who seem to take forever to do everything, couldn’t quite fathom a dessert that takes more than an hour start to finish. Even the 15-minute prep time seemed to be pushing their interest to the max. I assured them it would be worth it.

Video of Guadix

One of my friends in Guadix, Maria Dolores, asked for my email address the other day. She wanted to send me a video of Guadix. It was a video, she said, that made her cry every time it played.

Of course, I didn’t cry. I haven’t lived here long. Still, I think it is beautiful. And you don’t have to understand Spanish to enjoy it, either.

Going to Granada

This week I started a second job here in Spain. I know, I know… I went to Spain to take it easy. But I´m quickly learning that this workaholic mentality may actually be part of who I am, not where I am. Plus, who can say ¨no¨ to a 100-percent increase in salary.  I won´t have as much time to travel, but at least I´ll have the money to do so.