This is my last entry, for awhile. Most of you know that I have accepted a position as an Auxiliar de Conversaciones in the region of Galicia beginning this fall, and with this position comes some responsibility; i.e. a legal working status in the country of Spain. Enter the aforementioned "Red Tape". I have been informed, though not consistently, that it is necessary to return to the United States and wait while my visa is processed. With the same lack of consistency I have been informed that the process can take 4-12 weeks. With this information I have booked a ticket back to the USA and return home Wednesday, June 13 and will be in Boise until further notice. I am thrilled that I will have the chance to work with the Ministry of Education and live in the city of Santiago de Compostela and for this reason I am willing to leave San Lorenzo de El Escorial, to avoid giving up 9 months of excellent experiences I am giving up the next 3 months (more or less). This brings us to the second portion of my title, the answer to every Spaniards question in relation to me leaving their country, "Que sí, me da tanta pena" when I think about leaving. I feel that I have just begun to fully understand life here and going home was not in my plans, though I can easily name a million reasons why it is OK that I am not here this summer:
1-The heat
2-Allergies
3-My own mattress is comfier
4-I won't be living where I work (though this is contradicted by the fact that I may not be working...spread the word)
5-I will see my family and friends
Overall I understand that it is the best decision for the long run, if not the desired outcome for my short term future.
I have been able to fill my past couple of weeks with so many great experiences, and even made friends from the town. I feel so confident in my Spanish now, though I will loose some during my time home I know I will get it back quickly when September comes. I hiked to the top of Monte Abantos with Dario where I had a view of the valley that was almost the same as the view of Boise from Table Rock (there is even a cross at the top of this mountain, but Abantos is actually a mountain, as opposed to Table Rock). I have been back to Madrid a couple of times, once with friends of the family to spend the day at a book fair and the market, and once with Dario to visit the Prado Museum, Retiro Park and the Palacio Nacional (once again, no photos allowed inside). During my time at the market I was asked if I was Chilean (to which I replied "No, American") the man took this to mean I must be Italian (once again "No, I'm American") finally he said "Ahhh, espanola" to which I once again replied American. Then he asked if I was from New York, as all Americans are according to the Spanish.
I have since said goodbye to my intercambios, Ana and Jara (who made me a lot of gifts, and Susana made me a picnic to take on my journey back home) and Narcisa. Tonight will be my farewell to the family (until September when I will return for my winter clothes) and tomorrow morning begins the long journey home. A bus, two metros, three planes and some odd 26 hours later I will arrive in Boise. Thursday begins the appointments to get all the necessary documents for my visa. Friday I will mail everything and begin waiting for my visa to come back to me so I can come back to Spain.
I have learned so much in my short time here and would not have changed my decision to come for anything. I now understand even more what I am capable of and will feel that much more confident when the time comes in September for me to move back. With a visa my traveling will much more frequent, and without kids my photos and blog updates will be too. Now to finish packing...
1-The heat
2-Allergies
3-My own mattress is comfier
4-I won't be living where I work (though this is contradicted by the fact that I may not be working...spread the word)
5-I will see my family and friends
Overall I understand that it is the best decision for the long run, if not the desired outcome for my short term future.
I have been able to fill my past couple of weeks with so many great experiences, and even made friends from the town. I feel so confident in my Spanish now, though I will loose some during my time home I know I will get it back quickly when September comes. I hiked to the top of Monte Abantos with Dario where I had a view of the valley that was almost the same as the view of Boise from Table Rock (there is even a cross at the top of this mountain, but Abantos is actually a mountain, as opposed to Table Rock). I have been back to Madrid a couple of times, once with friends of the family to spend the day at a book fair and the market, and once with Dario to visit the Prado Museum, Retiro Park and the Palacio Nacional (once again, no photos allowed inside). During my time at the market I was asked if I was Chilean (to which I replied "No, American") the man took this to mean I must be Italian (once again "No, I'm American") finally he said "Ahhh, espanola" to which I once again replied American. Then he asked if I was from New York, as all Americans are according to the Spanish.
I have since said goodbye to my intercambios, Ana and Jara (who made me a lot of gifts, and Susana made me a picnic to take on my journey back home) and Narcisa. Tonight will be my farewell to the family (until September when I will return for my winter clothes) and tomorrow morning begins the long journey home. A bus, two metros, three planes and some odd 26 hours later I will arrive in Boise. Thursday begins the appointments to get all the necessary documents for my visa. Friday I will mail everything and begin waiting for my visa to come back to me so I can come back to Spain.
I have learned so much in my short time here and would not have changed my decision to come for anything. I now understand even more what I am capable of and will feel that much more confident when the time comes in September for me to move back. With a visa my traveling will much more frequent, and without kids my photos and blog updates will be too. Now to finish packing...
