The Electric Slide

Ironically it rained all day yeaterday; I am told that it was beautiful in WA. Although I was a little blue to be away from home on Thanksgiving, the feast in Mojacar was great! It consisted of three courses plus dessert! I truely succeeded in stuffing myself on pretty much everything except turkey. Later, we went to a friends house where I taught everyone the electric slide (I knew middle school P.E. would pay off sometime), and Joanna taught the two-step; it was huge a hit! We have big plans to unveil it at the faculty Christmas party, it should be a hoot.
This is High Muckamuck signing out: make a turkey sandwhich in my honor and continue to have a great Thanksgiving weekend!

Happy Turkey Day!!!!

Thanksgiving and not a turkey in sight. Well as it turns out, I'm off the hook for planning Thanksgiving activities for my class, they have an exam today. Which is sad becuase I was actually looking forward to hand turkeys. Completely by coninsciencedence (no idea how to spell that one), the faculty is having a special lunch in Mojacar today. Of course we have to pay for it but it's supposed to be excellent food. The Tex-Mex feast shall have to wait.
The English club went... well. The students were pretty excited to have a club outside of class and they were extremely energetic. It was a bit chaotic and I was hoping to be able to have fun and relax with them but I realized that, more than ever, I have to have control.It was fun though, we made ID cards and they had to come up with nicknames in English. Mine is "high muckamuck" coming from the Native American word meaning "very important person" ya think that sends a clear enough signal to them?
I have to take a moment to relate the glory that is my mother's Curry Pumpkin Soup. If I had to choose one food to eat for the rest of my life, that would be it. To me, it sums up autumn and home all in one. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to continue the tradition here due to lack of suitable pumpkins (remember the Halloween fiasco) but I decided to give the bulbous green squash a try, and it turned out alright; although I had to go to an international market to find dried,hot red peppers (Spaniards shy away from anything that might even be a hint spicey). Which means more soup for me! In short, I am thankful for curry pumpkin soup!
¡Happy Día de Acción de Gracias!

The Beat Goes On

Still no news about the stolen goods, nor do I expect any. Helena and I have to go back to the guardia civil to give them more information (thanks to Dad I now have the serial number for my laptop). We got the locks changed and now are careful to put the apartment in complete lock down every time we leave.Thanks to everyone for your e-mails and comments, all one really wants in a situation like this is sympathy!
In other news, I found a place that will sell me insurance on my US driver's license! Of course it will cost me an "eye off my face" as they say here, but I'll still convinced it will be worth it.Tomorrow I go to put money down on the car! Any ideas for good names? It's bright blue, I haven't decided if it's hembra or macho (male or female) yet.
Last night I went to the parent teacher meeting. It's always interesting to meet the parents, often the students make a lot more sense... Today is my first day of English Club. I'm a bit nervous because I'm still not sure what to do and I feel like there's all this pressure to set the stage. I completely forgot that tomorrow is Thanksgiving! I have to plan a little something for the students. I think Joana and I are going to throw a "Tex-Mex" thanksgiving feast for our friends here. Meaning we will make mexican food and try to country dance (Joana is from Texas). It should make for an interesting Thanksgiving, in which we will truely celebrate the coming together of many cultures. I figured I could throw in some Hendrix and Pearl Jam as my offering, and perhaps see if I can convince any poor soul to play cribbage with me.
Happy Thanksgiving!!!

WANTED: the S.O.B. who stole my leather jacket!!!!

You haven't lived in Spain until you've had the chance to visit your friendly neighbourhood “guardia civil” or police station. Yesterday started out as any other day: it was sunny with a bit of a breeze coming off the Mediterranean, I left the house around 10:15, ran some errands and then went to work. My house mate and I got back around 2:30, ate lunch and then took a sizeable siesta. Helena decided to go for a walk before the light completely slipped behind the sierras and I dedicated myself to leafing through Living and Working in Spain in hopes of finding some solution to my car insurance problem. I'd had the tv on for background noise, but found the chatter of talk shows more distracting than consoling and I decided to put on some music instead. I went over to my laptop but it wasn't there, “that's odd, maybe Helena moved it” I thought. So I checked my room, but it wasn't there nor was my laptop case. “Que curioso” as they say here, and that's when that nagging feeling entered the back of my mind; the onset to panic. I hastened to Helena's room to search for her laptop which was also missing. At that moment Helena returned, “Helena, where are our laptops?” I asked still trying to remain on the off shore of panic. Calmly she observed the scene, then announced, “F!*#$ we've been robbed!” In the minutes that followed we madly dashed about the house taking account of what was missing. The gravity of my laptop would hit me later but in that moment what really pissed me off was that the S.O.B. had made off with my FAVORITE leather jacket- you know the one. He'd also stolen some of Helena's clothes and money. Luckily, I'd taken both my camera and my MP3 player with me that day. We immediately phoned out co-worker who lives next door to see if she'd been hit as well- no, we were the only lucky ones. So of course we did as one does in these situations, we trooped down to the police station to make a report. Ironically, I was able to give a much more detailed description of my jacket than my laptop. Unfortunately, I had all the information about my laptop in the case (as any organized person would) so I have no record of the serial number meaning there's little chance of tracking it. Stupid thief though, he (I am quite convinced it was a man because he stole a pair of inexpensive jeans of Helena but left my much more pricey ones) took my laptop but left the cord (neatly folded) with the adapter, who's going to want an American laptop that doesn't work? Maybe he'll figure it out and return it. We came home feeling as victims do- angry, violated and asking “why me?” A bit later some police inspectors stopped by to investigate the scene of the crime. The deduced that the thief had entered through the door, with a key no less, and worn gloves. There was no sign of forced entry anywhere and although one could have shimmied up the balcony it is a much more obvious way to break in during broad day light. Here's where things get a bit fuzzy and I'm not sure I'm catching everything in Spanish. Helena called the apartment owner to tell here what had happened and some how the story came out that she had been robbed once before hand not changed the locks! If I was in the US I might smell a lawsuit, but here in Spain I'm only left with a sour stench. The have an idea who it may be, some guy who had worked in the building previously named Juan Angel from Sorbas, yeah that narrows it down! Gone is all my music, gone are all my pictures (home, friends, family, NY, England, Nicaragua...), gone is my resume, gone are my lesson plans and activities; everything, gone, gone, gone. !Hijo de puta!
The events of the day made for light sleep and violent dreams. I dreamt that someone had killed Juan Miguel, the math teacher I work with, and that a collection of various people through my past and I were on the run, hiding in gypsy caves. When I woke up this morning I couldn't shake the dream and was revisited by that same nagging feeling when I arrived at 8:00 for class but Juan Miguel didn't show up. I called him later to make sure he was alright, and (no, no he wasn't murdered) but he had fallen last night while running and broken his hip, and “was there anyone free to take him to the hospital?” I don't even know what to think any more.

The Plot Thickens

Of course I finally finding the perfect car isn't enough, one must also have insurance to drive the car. Here's where things get complicated. As far as I can gather the WA State USA driver's license is not recognized in Spain. Ok, no problem, I anticipated that and got my international driver's license before I left. HOWEVER, my international driver's license is only valid for one year beginning on Oct. 1st 2007. For some strange reason which I still can't figure out (perhaps just to mess with me) ALL the insurance companies in Spain only contract for a minimum of one year. Seeing as how I only have 11 months remaining on my international license, no one will accept me. Leaving me with three options:
A.) Exchange my US license for a Spanish one, an extensive process that takes from 1-3 months and involves a health check, official translation of my license, and of course a lot of dinero.
B.) Find the obscure company that will insure for less than a year (of course at steep price).
C.) Find some kind Spaniard to open a policy under their name.
None of these options sound too likely or appealing, leaving me a bit down hearted about the entire thing. Oh, little blue car, how I want you!

Naranjas

I may have mentioned that there is an orange grove near by with a perfect Lauril sized hole in the fence. This weekend Joana and I decided to take a stroll which just happened to pass through the fence and once inside we had to do our civic duty and taste test the oranges. To be exact the oranges themselves are still green for the most part, it's the mandirins that are ripe. I remember how good the oranges used to taste that my grandmother sent us every Christmas from Florida, but these were in a whole other league. It was by far the most jucy, flavorful fruit I had ever eaten, and to think I have an endless supply just down the road!
Aside from orange theiving, I also went to check out that car (the opal corsa) and I think it's the one! It should be ready for purchase later this week. I can't believe I'm really getting a car! I don't know that I'll actually be able to afford gas once I get the darn thing but at least it's a real pretty, electric blue! Now you may be asking yourself, "is it really necessary to get a car in Europe? Don't they have good public transportation there?" Well, yes, in most places they do, I'm just not in one of those places.The bus system here is a dismal dissapointment as its best. I've actually saved myself quite a chunk of change by not taking the bus due to it skipping stops, arriving late, arriving early, or just plain not coming.Furthermore, it takes over twice the time to get anywhere and it doesn't run at night. I love the beach but as it gets colder sun bathing becomes a less appealing pass time and there are so many hidden corners of Spain I want to explor that really require a car, and that's my rationalization (as many people know I'm a guilty shopper and this is a pretty darn big purchase, I must justify it).
Speaking of pass times, I had my first riding lesson 4 days ago and my legs are still killing me!! I thought I was an fair rider but after my lesson I bowleggedly left wondering if I actually ever knew how to ride.It'll be good to get back into it though. I'm also keeping occupied by setting up an English club. I'm still not entierly convinced that the students have the maturity to join a club, they can't even quiet down during regular class, hevan forbid I present someting actually stimulating, but it's all part of my covert plan to restructure the English Dept from the inside out.I'll have to turn into quite the orange thief in order to sustain myself while I plan my clandestine coup!
Once again no English spell check, sorry. Ya know me, ever the teacher, I'm just testing you.

Holiday Book Drive

The library at the school is a sorry sight and the kids have absolutely no leasure books to read in English. Since the holiday season is approaching, I thought I'd put out a call. What I specifically need are low level, young aduld books.Something with an interesting theme but very simple language.Magazines, and comic books are great too. I'd also welcome kids picture books and books for adults.For a "bilingual" program, I still have yet to see a Spanish/English dictionary anywhere at the school; if you've got one sittng on a dusty shelf somewhere, send it on over! I'm really hoping to transform the program here in any way I can and I really appreciate your help!
¡¡¡Gracias, gracias, gracias!!!

Here's my address:

Atención de Lauril Sachet/Cati Gonzalez
I.E.S. Alyanub
Calle Mayor, s/n
04620 Vera (Almeria)
Spain

Al Alhambra

A Flamenco Halloween

Halloween is just starting to catch on here. We decided to do a small celebration in my classes. Two hours before it was to start I received a frantic call from my director who was worried about the appearance of our pumpkins. The one she’d picked up from her grocer was green with bumps, was that suitable for Halloween? We ended up settling on one that was still green but lacking a bulbous surface. Overall, the festivities went well; a bit chaotic, but I think the kids had fun. We recited a poem, bobbed for apples and carved our green pumpkin. I was glad to have the help of my fellow Americans Sarah and Barbara (my friends who came to visit on their post Peace Corps tour of Europe).

After subjecting my friends to the mad house (also known as my place of employment) I made it up to them by whipping up a killer Spanish tortilla, which I have to say I’m getting pretty good at; then we headed in rental car to Granada. I was on cloud nine driving in Spain; I was like a parakeet whose wings had been clipped and finally grown back! I was ecstatic to be driving again, that was until I got to the infamous European roundabouts. Although I’m pretty sure I created my own lane, we made it through safe and sound.

Thursday was a holiday here, All Saint’s Day, which is really more like ‘Memorial Day’ in the US. Because of this, it was a four day weekend which we filled with all excitement Granada has to offer. The city a fusion of students, Granadinos, Moroccans, and tourists, creating a stimulating and lively atmosphere, but enough of me sounding like a guide book. Thursday morning we practically ran to the Alhambra for our 8:30 entrance to the palace; however, it was well worth the wog (walk/jog). I can’t even begin to describe the intricate beauty of the ancient Moorish palace, nor will I attempt to, I’ll just say that it lies in its ability to reflect intricate designs and precise geometry back on itself. We finished the night off at a flamenco show where the dancer’s feet moved so fast, it made Bill Cosby’s toe tapping look like a sloth in slippers.

After a quick breakfast of churros con chocolate, I sent off Sarah and Barbara to the next leg of their tour. It surprised me how sad I was to see them go. Joana and I decided to stay another day in Granada and spent the rest of our time hiking in the hills searching for Gypsy caves and wandering ´Moroccan' street and drinking tea. I left Granada wishing I didn't have to and more determined than ever to find a car!

The Great Hunt

I woke up this morning with the residue of bizarre dreams clinging to my rational mind; something about an alligator which ended up being a guitar case that then lead to the investigation of a missing musician. Perhaps that’s a sign not to drink whiskey during thunder and lighting storms. Today is market day and I’m going in search of pumpkins; some for carving, but mostly to make into soup to accompany the curry I found on my last excursion.

While things are starting to fall into place for me here (I’ve found out where they show independent foreign films, I started my dance class, I made a killer tortilla Espanola last night, and I can remember about 80% of my student’s and colleagues’ names) I am still lacking a crucial element- a car. Talk about culture shock, not to mention my general ignorance on the theme! Buying a car is never easy; buying a car in another country/language complicates things a bit more. A couple weeks after posting a notice on the board at school that I was looking for a cheap car (that’s about how long it takes for messages to circulate here), I heard through the grape vine that Jose Miguel (who I thought was named Juan Angle for about a week- good thing I got that one straightened out) had a cousin who was a mechanic and had cheap cars. So we took a trip to see the cousin with the cars (or rather car singular). I’d heard that second hand cars here are much more expensive than in the US, but I was still in disbelief and thought that if I only looked, I could find a good, cheap car. However, it turns out that a ‘good’ cheap car doesn’t exist. The car I saw was about 1,500 euros, diesel, and from the stone age. In fact, I was surprised that there was a motor at all; a hole in the floor to run Fred Flintstone style would have seemed more appropriate. However, the cousin had another car at another shop in another town; so off we went, we just had to find Gorge to show us around. Well, Gorge was no where to be found so we decided to look at the dealership next door. As the temperature outside dropped, so did my aspirations of finding that magical combination of reliable and cheap. As I looked at one car after another, a fog of disillusion and indecision began to settle into the crinkles of my gray matter. Finally, Jose Miguel put an end to my desperate wanderings and we headed back to Garrucha, me feeling overwhelmed and a bit awkward for having inconvenienced Jose.

Yet, I remain hopeful for the grape vine has proved fruitful once again (sorry, bad pun). Aurora (who is one of the sweetest people you could ever hope to meet) mentioned to the auto shop teacher that I was looking for a car; who then passed the message onto one of his friends who has a garage. The word in the garage is that they are going to be getting a ’99 Opal Corsa in good condition for a decent price, and they’ll call me when it’s available. Here’s hoping!