I found myself greeted by a strange man at the airport - something I had not expected- unless my friend had lost hair had a sex change and grown a beard and about two feet taller. Fortunately it was one of my prospective colleagues and was in fact a ruse so that my friend could jump out and surprise me. This was shortly followed by another of my old friends hooplah-ing me with three garlands, the colours of the flag! Of course, in typical Spanish style, I was poked, jabbed, punched, slapped, kissed, hugged, squeezed and shouted at all in the name of an everyday greeting.
I have been living with my friend, her husband and mother. After much trepidation and changing my body clock to have a 3 course meal at 2 o'clock and then dinner at 10o'clock at night, I have settled in great. In fact I have never felt more at home in someone's house. I have been really lucky that everyone has been so willing to help and welcome me and I have already been involved in more than my fair share of family and friends gatherings. My first Sunday was spent at a relation's house where I was faced with approximately 15 members of the family all laughing and joking in Spanish. Even though I probably only caught 20 percent of the conversation and only managed a few interjections to participate myself, it reminded that with all the cultural differences that this wasn’t so different to my own family: a mountain of food, plenty of drink and laughter in abundance as well as the willingness to accept a stranger into their traditions without the blink of an eye.
I do feel guilty that my friend won't let me do or pay for anything. Her husband had cooked the most delicious dishes everyday and her mum has insisted on doing all my washing and ironing, even down to my socks! It's like having a new pair to put on every day; one of my favourite things in the World. And like a lion tamer cracking his whip, she has the ability to swat flies with one swift flick of a tea towel. A skill I fear takes years of practice.
This week I have managed to find a flat and have hired a car. Should make things easier and finally I will be able to fully unpack my case including the trainers I brought with me in an attempt to get fit. Watch this space...
I will be sad to leave the family atmosphere however, and I don’t know how I can ever repay their hospitality.
In other news, I was shown the craft store cupboard at the primary school on Friday. To a budding Blue Peter presenter it was the worst thing they could have done, especially as they told me where to find the key and to help myself to the abundance of paints, card, stickers, scissors, pencils, felts, Velcro, plasticine etc. Big mistake I think on the part of the School!
Let's see what next week brings!
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