Word for Word...20 Second Interviews.

We have one week left in Spain and I thought it was about time that I had an impromptu 20-second interview with everyone individually.  Here is their reaction:

Ben - Teaching kids, owww, is a lot like, no I'm just totally riffing here.  A lot like trying to, whats the phrase, punch a brick wall, no, explain something to a brick wall, wait.  Get this all down.  Um.  But when they get it, it does feel all the more sweeter.  I think that is a good quote...

Georgie - Oh I have to say it out loud.  Hahahaha.  Ha. Don't.  hahahahaha. *cough*.  I didn't cough.  Okay, now ill start.  Stop frying vegetables!! That's literally all i need to say. 

Pippa -  Hmmmm.  Did you just type hmm? I'll come back to you on that one.  Yo habla Espanyol.  Blah blah blah. Yo ablah blah blahblah blah.  That's my quote.  Where's my Spanish passport.  Asta luego buenas noches.

Gareth - Want me to make a quote, ummmm.  Errrrmmm Angry Birds. No, gotta have something better than that.  Umm.  Do you know what I was actually gonna do.  The blog post of me talking to that statue.  I was tempted to do something else.  But it would've lowered the tone.  I don't think I'll ever grow up.

B - Nooooo...errr...hahahaha...did you just quote me? Oh my god, I don't know!  No comment.  Do you want anything else?  Has everyone said something? Is it nice? Carpet!

Z - Okay. So. it's been a good quarter. errrrrm. I think the team has played well, we've had a few injuries, illneses but everyone's come through the other side. I'm hoping for a strong finish. errrrrrr. Yeah, go get 'em boys. Oh. And girls too. Inclusive 2K19. Peace out brother/sisters.

To sum up my interviewing technique. Needs improvement.

To sum up our experience here in León. Wouldn't change it for anything.

Slow recovery

It has been a while since I have had the energy to post a blog.

Last week my school, Maristas Champagnat, celebrated their 100th birthday by throwing a 2 day fiesta. I attended on the first day of the celebrations. Helping out on the fun stalls and afterwards attended the 1st and 2nd year primary students talent contest. Sadly things took a turn for the worst for me after lunch back at the residencia. My stomach began to hurt and after dinner it felt much worse. That evening when I went to bed I was burning up and having cold chills at the same time. I have been suffering with a stomach virus ever since and still struggling to feel better. Thankfully on Tuesday I somehow felt well enough to return to my school and resume lessons.

Today I offered to help in the school's charitable work called solidaridad. Some of the parents volunteer at the school once a week to make handmade crafts. They sell them to make money for a school in Paraguay which helps get children off the street. The parents were painstakingly making little votive wedding decorations by hand and carefully packaging each item. It was lovely to sit and chat with the parents. Their Spanish brushing off on me and my English brushing off on them. Everyone is incredibly warm and hospitable. I feel right at home. It felt very rewarding to help out in this small way and get to know some of the parents better.

Heaven in the shape of vegan pizza

After chips, chips, and more chips we decided to venture from the residence in search of fulfilling food for both our digestive systems and our tastebuds (they’re dying off quickly due to the ongoing violent war with garlic). And so we found ourselves at a vegan restaurant, aka safe haven. I wish I could describe the pizzas but after six hours of lessons today I feel it would be an injustice to the cooks who couldn’t have been kinder to us. All I need to say is that there was avocado, cashew cream and no chips in sight. You know it’s good when Zac enjoys vegetables. And after a week of us dropping like flies to stomach bugs, intolerance catastrophes and just overall carb comas I know we’ll be back in Spanish vegan heaven again soon.

A Day Trip to Oviedo

So, we are one week into our placements and after a busy time acclimatising to our new roles
we were invited to spend Sunday in the city of Oviedo.  Oviedo, the capital city of Asturias, is a two-hour coach trip away from Leon.

It was a very hot but pleasant day and after a guided walking tour of the city we attended the annual cider (or sidre) festival which started at the crest of a steep street lined with numerous stalls showcasing 20 different kinds of cider and selling a variety of snacks.  At this festival the cider is poured into your glass in a novel and extremely inefficient way where the gentleman serving your drink raises the cider bottle high above his head and pours the contents into a glass which is tilted at an angle and held in his lowered opposite hand all the while maintaining eye contact with you as he pours.  Inevitably this results with more cider on the floor than in your glass.  The cider has to be drunk swiftly - something about the oxygen content dissipating from the cider on contact and leaving an unpleasant taste behind.  Of course, several glasses in and you can´t taste a great deal anyway.  I managed to sample 11 of the 20 varieties of cider available before we negotiated our way down the street to a fantastic restaurant where we enjoyed easily the best meal of our trip so far.

After a late lunch we took a leisurely walk back to the bus station for the return journey home.  All in all a great day out.  We´re planning to go to Gijon next weekend...

Oviedo - Sunshine, cider and a bunch of statues!

Here are some of the pics from our lovely sunny sunday in Oviedo, Asturias:

The flag of the Asturias region.

Zack - as elegant as ever.

Shot ruined? Or made better?

The first of many statues in Oviedo - Rufo the dog.

A lovely church in the sunshine.

Woody in Oviedo - Unquestionably great films (personal faves - Annie Hall and Midnight in Paris), very questionable personal life...)

Love the greenery...

Gaz and his barrel - Important to stay hydrated!

Little street with cathedral in the distance.

Some more statues...

Alfonso II of Asturias (the Chaste) - Never skipped leg day...

Cute buildings

Another statue - I forget who this woman was...

Little statue of a fishmonger with a ciggie.

Sorry mate, she's just not that into you...

Ended up taking part in a cider festival with our great host Fran... absolutely packed but great fun!

Rules for walking back from Divina Pastora.

Rule no.1 - Wear protection.  The temperature is a brisk 7 degrees when we walk to our school in the morning.  When the sun is at its peak, which coincides with when Ben and I finish for the day, the temperature has soared to the mid-twenties.  Make sure you've lathered the factor 50 all over any exposed skin, or that you wear a hat and some sunnies to make yourself at least feel cool whilst you cook.

Rule no.2 - Unbutton that shirt.  It's a good idea to get a bit more ventilation going when walking back.  Untucking and slightly unbuttoning your shirt does a great job here.  No more than two or three buttons down, or you'll have a seriously strange tan line.

Rule no.3 - One strap not two.  To avoid back sweat and the embarrassment that comes with, carry your bag using one strap and slightly to the side.  This way you can just about make it home before the back of your shirt is a darker shade than the rest.

Rule no.4 - Water yourself.  Keep hydrated.  Although it's lovely to walk alongside a river and under the blossoming trees it can be appreciated a lot more if you're sufficiently watered.  I'd recommend drinking the majority of a normal sized bottle.  Unless, of course, you have a 'barrel' like G'reth.

Rule no.5 - 'I'm Lovin It'.  If you need to rest your weary feet, or can't handle the intriguing food that we have come to expect here in León then follow the river to the golden arches.  Our saviour in our time of need.  McDonald's.  They have everything a weary traveller could need including; sustenance, toilets, a handsome amount of seating and air-con. 

Rule no.6 - Don't tell Georgie.  Although she inevitably finds out, telling Georgie that you've had a maccies should be avoided.  Or at the very least bribe her with a bag of Chips.

Rule no.7 - There's always a Burger King.  If following the golden arches isn't quite tickling your fancy there's also a burger king on the way back.  And as long as you abide by rule no 6 everything SHOULD be fine.

Rule no.8 (the best rule) - Enjoy the walk.  If you're eagle-eyed you might even spot a few peacocks.

I apologise for writing an essay.  Making up for lost time.

Zed.

The journey begins...

I arrived at the University of Chester on Sunday, 28 April for four days of intensive training. I had never been to Chester before but it is actually a really nice city. 

The journey really began last Friday, 3 May.  We departed early for Gatwick Airport where we caught a flight to Oviedo, Spain and then continued on to León.  León is a fantastic city with an amazing cathedral, one of Gaudi´s houses (now a museum)  and a charming Old Town complete with numerous tapas bars.  I´m going to be staying here for a month and although I´m going to be busy I intend to check this city out properly.