A Good Week - A Flat and A Job

So now that my life here is more routine I'm moving to more of a highlight of the week model vs. a what I'm doing each day model.  I love that my life here is now more routine 😃.  

The weekend was great - drinks on Friday and Friday night.  I started drinking after class at about 2:30 with the school activity of tapas.  There were four of us and they started all speaking in Spanish but I was lost.  They quickly realized this and we switched to English.  I really can't wait to learn Spanish.  I felt bad but was happier joining in the conversation which was great.  Needless to say, the tapas were also great as was the wine - shocking, I know. Then Caroline and I moved to another bar and where we met up with Vicky and Gwen and had a few more drinks and tapas.  Then we headed to free salsa dancing lessons.  I think I was much better than I thought I'd be - at least that's what I'm telling myself.  It was fun and I didn't break anyone's toes so I guess it was a success.  After dancing we went for more drinks with our fellow dancers.  

The weekend was finally warmer weather and I was finally able to experience Retiro Park.  It's an amazing, huge park in the middle of the city.  It has so much to offer - a lake, wildlife, food / booze (shocking, I know) and the people watching is great.  Some are walking around, some on bikes, some in boats, some sitting on the grass relaxing or reading and of course some enjoying the cafes.  I thought the weather was warmer although I think the Madrileños (folks native to Madrid) would disagree with me as they were still wearing their heavy jackets.  

the lake at retiro park

the wildlife at ritero park

Gwen and me at retiro park

This week was also a great week for my flat search as well as my job search as I found both!!  I move into my new flat in Salamanca.  The neighborhood is great and of course very safe, as is all of Madrid.  The flat is 3 minutes from TtMadrid which is where my Spanish classes are and very close to the classes I'll be teaching.  I also had a great interview with an agency who is giving my 15 hours in blocks of 2 and 3 hours, the majority of which are in the city center.  This is really unheard of as most teachers have to scramble for work, have shifts with 4 and 5 hours in between classes and work outside the city.  I got so lucky!!  I'm going to talk with a few more people with experience to make sure I'm making the right decision (I have two GREAT offers on the table) but I think the interview I had today is the better one.  

I'm off to Valencia tonight for Las Fallas, a festival of fire.  They apparently build sculptures and then light them on fire.  I'll write more about it when I get back.  In the meantime, feel free to reach out and send a comment!