Hi Friends and Family,
I'm so excited to get this blog up and running again! This was a great way to keep everyone updated during my time in Sevilla, and it helped me break up the week and reflect. So, I'm hoping people enjoy tuning in again while I'm back in Spain!
For those who don't know, I decided to take a job teaching English through a program between Spain's and North America's governments (Canada and the U.S.) called NALCAP. It works by sending in some documents proving you're an American, proof that you have a college degree, a letter of intent, and a recommendation letter. I wasn't sure if I wanted to do it or jump right into a career in film post-grad, but on the last day applications could be accepted, I decided to apply. Thank God I had a Spanish professor who did a similar program and was able to turn out a letter of rec just in time! Because the program is rolling admission, I got kind of the last pick; I'm working in a small town named Jumilla, an hour away from the airport and the city of Murcia, with kids aged 12-18 for 12 hours a week, and at an adult school for 4 hours a week.
As obscure as my placement is to the average American, funnily enough, my Dad's friend Isabel (Long story short, a kind of exchange student situation from childhood in Davis) still lives in Murcia! Though I hadn't met her before and my dad hadn't seen her in person for years, after letting her know I'd be in the area, she insisted I come to stay with her while I got set up here. And wow, I am so happy we took her up on that offer! Living with Isabel has been vital in making this whole experience go smoothly. She helped me with all the documents I needed, cooked some delicious lunches, and helped me adjust in countless other ways. Living with her and having a Spaniard to navigate all this has been fantastic, and I feel so lucky for the opportunity to get to know her and practice my Spanish!
I've just finished up my first week of teaching classes. From where Isabel lives, it's about an hour-long commute to my town and a 20-minute commute to the main city. So far I've had a great time heading into Murcia, whether it's with Isabel to go to lunch, or to grab a drink with some other auxiliaries (auxes) I've met so far! Today, I am moving to Jumilla so I can walk to school rather than carpool (I'm the only aux at my school, but a lot of the other teachers live in the Murcia area too so I've been riding with them). Even though all the carpool teachers are laughing at me for moving to a pueblo, as an anti-morning person, I think it will be worth it. Besides, Isabel has said I can stay with her every weekend if I'd like!
At my school (Arzobispo Lozano), I'm teaching a range of English levels. The main point of my position is to be a conversation assistant, so I will be helping the teacher with whatever class I'm scheduled for. Making a presentation this first week about San Francisco and the Bay Area has been so fun and bittersweet. I am thrilled to be here, but talking about home makes me miss it! This may come as a surprise to those who have heard me talk about moving outside the U.S. for years, but there are a lot of elements of America that I miss. I'm shocked to say it, but I think after my 8 months here I won't mind moving back. Until then though, I can't wait to make the most of being here!
These are some photos of the town of Jumilla. You can see a picture of the countryside and the sunrise on the commute there from Altorreal (the region of Murcia is best known for agriculture and wine), the town hall, my school, and a photo of the balcony at the apartment I'm moving to today! Jumilla is a town of about 25,000, but it's very isolated which makes it feel way smaller.
Murcia! These photos are from the capital city of the region (The region is called Murcia, and the main city is also called Murcia). You can see some of the friends I've met here, the beautiful cathedral, and a couple of photos from inside the "Casino", a historic building that has also been a library, a royal residence, etc. I really like this city, and it reminds me of a smaller version of Sevilla in so many ways!
Click on the black left/right arrows to see the slide of photos of Altorreal, the suburb outside the city where Isabel lives!
And finally, some food pics! See below for a video of our Jamón Iberico being prepared. There's a great place for paella Isabel has taken me to twice now, and the rice is perfectly cooked and moist. The dish with the olives is Ensalada Murciana; kind of like an egg/tuna salad mixture minus the mayonnaise, plus tomatoes. It's not bad! Tuna is in everything here.
If you've read this far, leave in the comments what you think caracoles are! Much love and thanks for reading!
TLDR: Will be in Spain for the next 8 months