Week 2, August 21st-28th

Two full weeks in Barcelona feels like a month. The idea that this is just a vacation and soon I would be headed home is quickly fading. With being at work all this week, I am, I think sub-consciencely realizing that this is home. Even though I don’t have a place to call home yet, I am finding the routines similar to what might be the everyday back home. Local grocery stores, favorite places to eat, bike rides and hanging out with friends are finding their place in the daily routine. Not to say that things are not new and exciting, but that I am able to find a sense of normalcy in the everyday.

Week in Review:

• At work this week, I was given keys to my office. As we prepare for the start of the school year, my job description is becoming more clear. I have been officially labeled Learning Support for the 4th and 5th grade classroom. In the states this is the typical Special Ed instructor. Here IEP’s and 504 exist, but are not legal contracts...and not as word heavy, as us U.S. teachers are used to. It will be up to me to work with students who may or may not have diagnosed disabilities like Dyslexia, ADD, Asburgers and Autism etc. Most of my work will be in the classroom, supporting the instruction; however, my office will double as a work room for students who need extended time on tests, a quite work space, or simply a place to get away from the distractions of the classroom. In addition to my Learning Support position I will also be part of a team, in which my Head of Schools refers to as the “A Team”. Along with principals, counselors, and office admin, I will be meeting weekly to help make decisions concerning the daily and future progress of the school.
• Went out for cheap pizza night, similar to our Little Ceasar’s. Probably the worst thing I have eaten here so far, and my stomach quickly made note of it. I sat among some new friends, all locals, which I met through my friend MaryAnn. Their English is about as good as my Spanish, so I sat for the most part simply listening to their conversations. At times they would attempt to ask me a question in English, but were not ready for my response, likewise, I could form a question in my head, but could not comprehend their quick responses.
• I saw my first pelicula (movie) Super Ocho, it’s the Steven Speilburg film. Even though the movie was in Spanish, I was able to follow the plot, or at least the one I made up in my head. I thought it was pretty good.
• Looked at several different places to live, but have not been succesful in finding something that we like. The places vary here quite a bit. As we entered a place in E’xamplia, we realized we were standing in the bathroom, which led to the rest of the house, it had lots of space but hadn’t been updated since the late 1800’s; having furniture that might be found in a museum of colonial living. Another place was in the final stages of remodeling, however the modern look of the place included bedroom walls that were completely made of glass, including the doors. Making any form of privacy nearly impossible. I called our housing company on Friday, and with their help we will be viewing some more reasonable places on Wednesday. Hopefully, fingers crossed, we will be able to find something soon.
• I have moved into another temporary place near the Placa Espanya. For the time being I am living with our school’s elementary music teacher, included in my rent is some free guitar lessons, and spontaneous Spanish lessons. I now have my own bedroom, and a small balcony overlooking part of the city.
• On Friday, a few of us went out to celebrate a birthday of one of the teachers. Dinner was amazing, Black Rice was the main course, getting its color from squid ink. We then headed out to a small bar where on Friday nights they host a small Flamenco group in the basement, a female singer, guitarist, drum box, and two dancers, a male and female. The art of Flamenco, is quite impressive, all of the instruments play based on the rhythm and flow of the dancers.
• Finally, last night I met up with a new friend, another local, who loves his new fixed gear bike, and has recently gotten into some photography. We intended on taking some pictures, but due to a flat tire we had to call it in early. He has promised to show me several spots that only the locals know about, the “real” Barcelona.

View from my temporary place

My office

Streets of Barcelona

Spanish style movie popcorn

Week 1

So all week long, I thought to myself, I should update the blog. It seemed like everyday there was something worth writing about. And now as I look back on the week it all seems like such a blur; it feels like I have already been here for a month.

I landed early Saturday morning, my friend's plane landed only a few minutes after mine, and before I even made it through customs our paths had crossed. Bags and a taxi, and I was traveling through the streets of Barcelona. At first it looked like every other big city in the states, tall buildings, freeways, people. It didn't take long before I began to see the difference.

Highlights from the week include:

• Visiting my new school for the first time. Meeting the new staff, and learning the new curriculum. The staff have come from all over, each person has a background and history that seems like they might be characters in a book. The accents...
• The food; on every corner there are small, family owned restaurants from every corner of the world, Japones, Italian, French, Spanish and American.... McDonalds and KFC (which are surprisingly busy in a city that has so may other food options). Tapas and cafe con leche, it doesn't matter what time of day eating is always an option. Stopping on the way home from work to have a cervesa and some patatas bravas is more rewarding than I ever thought possible.
• Meeting my new flatmate and apartment hunting. We have seen several different apartments and think we have found the one we would like, but now we have to play games with the rental company to work out the final details.
• Experiencing 2 Barca V Real Madrid soccer matches. This city loves a win. Celebrations include honking your horn the entire way home, while flying flags out the window. Meeting in Plaza Catalunya to continue the celebration; singing, dancing, chanting, yelling, drinking, booing opposing fans until the police arrive.
• Laying on the beach in Barcelonleta, talk about a new level of people watching. Some even go beyond the usual topless attire. Men with no tan lines...a very confident culture. I have heard the beaches just outside the city are even more beautiful and less crowded, next weekend...
• Fiesta Major de Gracia, a neighborhood in Barcelona celebrates...something...each street in the neighborhood chooses a theme in which to decorate their street; themes include magic, Peter Pan, SpongeBob, Mozart. For an entire week the streets fill with people, music, food and sangria until the earlier morning hours.
• Bike riding and getting lost. I have a map that is now in 3 separate pieces from the amount of use. Riding around is helping me get a sense of direction in a city where every corner looks like the last.

Next week I am at work from 9:00-3:00, siesta sadly has gone by the way side here in Barcelona following the slowing economy. I will be setting up my office/ work room, and meeting the other 60 staff members on Thursday. And hopefully will be finalizing a housing contract by the end of next week, looking forward to unpacking my suitcases, and feeling like I am finally settled here in Barcelona.

Side note: I now have a cell phone and can send and receive text messages using the app "Whatsapp" found at www.whatsapp.com. Cell # +34 665 769 284 I would love to hear from you. I have and will continue to post photos at observations.zaplife.com.

Love you all, and please don't hesitate to Skype me a message.

Saying Goodbye

Its tough trying to start one of these things, a blog that is. We actually discussed it last night over dinner. After showing the picture to the family from my phone of everything I had packed for the trip, I think either Michelle or my mom said that’s where it should start.

Currently, sitting on the plane headed to Philadelphia, and from there on to Barcelona. (picture was taken on the second flight) The reality of my trip, new future home, new country, new job, new everything did not begin to carry any weight until these last few days. It was saying goodbye to family at my parents house. Side note: Mom and Dad thanking you again for the amazing authentic Spanish food, and delicious smoked fish tacos. And later in the week with friends at Four Peaks; it’s impressive what a Facebook post can do for someone’s ego... Thank you to everyone for coming. And of course actually giving those last few hugs before turning for the security checkpoint. It was a lot tougher than I had planned on. Looking forward, I am excited for what will be my new home, city, and job.

After landing sometime early Saturday morning in Barcelona, the plan is to find and gather my luggage, and meet up with a teacher friend, the one who helped me get the job. With luggage in hand we will be taking a taxi into the center of Barcelona, the Gracia neighborhood where I will be crashing on a futon until me and my flatemate can find a place of our own.

Sunday evening will be the first meet and greet with new staff at BFIS, eating dinner Ciutat Comtal, at a seafood restaurant near the beach. On Monday we are meeting up at Cafe Zurich and headed out on a Barcelona bus tour followed by a stop at the beach, Tuesday we will be setting up bank accounts and getting a cell phone, and Wednesday is an Ikea and Mall day. From there we report to school roughly nine to noon most days until the start of school on the 1st.

Hasta luego!