Laurie and I went to a small store close to us. Most things were closed. I picked up a few items to tie us over until tomorrow. I even picked up a bag of ice. The kitchen is great. There are several refrigerators with freezers. Everything is kept clean. I also noticed a microwave so I can cook my microwave popcorn.
I washed my clothes. I told Laurie that I feel funny because I only have one pair of pants to wear. People will notice me wearing the same clothes. Before it didn't matter because we weren't with the same people all of the time..
I met a few people here laready. There are people of different ages and different nationalities. I think this will be fun.
October 15, 2003
The new students had to meet at 8:00 to find out where we were to go. Some people had to take a test to see what level they were at. I wanted to start at the beginning. It wasn't until 9:00 before we got to the classroom.
There are only 8 people in the class which makes it nice. Our teacher is Amaila and she is very good. She is funny and is very animated when saying something in Spanish, so we understand. We have Amaila from 9:00 to 10:45. Which at that time we have a break for a half hour. Then we meet with Agnes until 1:00.
The class is all women with 4 coming from Germany, 1 from Italy, 1 from England, and Laurie and me. The ages range from 20 to 62.
It is nice that the residence where we stay is just a floor above our class. I can run up there during break if I want or I can go into the kitchen and get something to eat.
After class, Laurie and I went looking for a discount store. We didn't find it. Laurie then went to get a haircut and I went to the internet.
When I got back to the residence I ran into Kathryn. She is from Rochester, NY and she is taking classes for 32 weeks. She is a teacher from the city of Rochester and she teaches sign language as a second language. She and I went to a couple of stores. I showed her where there was a store and then she showed me one. She bought things and I didn't because they were too expensive,
After shopping I went to the internet cafe for a little while. There is an internet at school, but it is usually full and you have to wait. It is also very slow.
I went back to the residence and met with Sandy. Sandy is from England and she is 62. She has been here a couple of weeks, but she is in our class. She started in a higher level, but was lost. She decided to start over at the beginning. She doesn't stay for the second part because she had back surgery and she can't sit for very long. She goes to another class in the afternoon. I met with her to go over what we did in class. This is good for me to reinforce what I learn.
On the first night of school, the school takes the new students to dinner. It was a long walk and we didn't get there until after 8:30. Spainards eat very late. There were about 75 people there. Antonella from our class sat with us. There were two other people. One was Hans from Germany and the other was Anna from Australia.
The dinner included wine, salad, and cream puffs for dessert. The main course was sliced beef and potatoes. It was good. We left as soon as we could because it was so late. We didn't get home unti about 11:30.
I was very tired because I had trouble sleeping last night. The people in the room next to ours were very noisy. They didn't get into the room unti 5:00 and they talked non-stop until I had to get up. I ended up knocking on the wall because they were so loud and I wanted to sleep. Hopefully I can sleep tonight.
October 14, 2003
I slept well last night. The people next door were quiet. I had my breakfast and went to class for 9:00. I really enjoy my class. It is fun.
After class Laurie and I went shopping. They have this great fruit, vegetable, and meat market. I think I wrote about it previously. It was fun shopping there.
I went to look for a bookstore. I wanted a Spanish/English dictionary. I wanted something small because I have enough books that I am traveling with.
I met with Sandy about 6:00 and went over the second class information.
When I was out earlier I picked up flowers for Antonella. It is her birthday today. She is 24. I also picked up some for our room. I bought them at one of the several flower kiosks in La Rambla. It is so much fun to walk around. There are so many people.
I went back to the residence and cooked dinner. Several people were there; Mattes, Antonella, Olivia, Nick and Laurie. Olivia is 18 and is from Martha's Vineyard. She is traveling by herself for several months before she goes to college in February. She is going to go to Middlebury in Vermont. She is a very personable and outgoing young woman. I give her alot of credit for traveling by herself at such a young age. Not many from the US travel that young
More people came in and it was fun meeting them and talking. Unfortunately we are still talking English.
Earlier today when I was out, I called a telephone number of a woman that was on a list that wanted to practice her English by helping people with their Spanish. Unfortunately she can't get together with me as often as I would like. I might try someone else. Sandy said I could meet with her and her exchange person tomorrow if I want. Well, it is 10:45 and I have some homework to do. Buenas Noches!
