Flamenco, Film clubs and Gratitude

I figured it was time for another update. Since I have begun my second teaching position, and gathered a few private students I must confess that time has been escaping me, in the best possible of ways. The past 6 weeks have flown by, and I foresee these 8 months ending before I am ready. I find myself with many more ideas for lesson plans and cultural projects there there is time in the day to do. So I am learning to prioritize and face reality in order to maximize time in the classroom.

But now for the present: I wake up every day knowing that I will learn something that day - whether it is a piece of Spanish grammar that I have been saying incorrectly for the past 8 years, or a new hot spot for local live music. And I look forward to coming home to my roommate, Jen, to compare notes on new vocabulary words, and share stories and our common love for Ronda. We share our dreams and fears, our ambitions and passions. And incorporate our lives into lofty metaphors of rolling stones, and polishing creators.

Since my last report, I have discovered beautiful niches tucked away in Ronda. In a town that is seemingly homogeneous, and with coworkers that are mostly twice my age, I was skeptical that this was the place for me. I am certainly not in college bubble any longer, and can now appreciate the ease with which I have found like-minded friends so far; however I have also found that each person has something special to offer. And there lies great danger in making quick assumptions. I have found myself invited to the home of a dance therapist who cooked a lovely lunch of typical northern spanish fare, and I met her au pair from Poland. I enjoyed a local live jazz concert that plays the first friday of every month, and hopefully will go to their next rehearsal to jam a little. I also went to a classic Spanish 16th century play, "La Vida es Sueno," which brought to life some of the material I had learned in a Spanish course last year. I've had conversations with many peers who are also mother about their children. I tutor a young woman who is an Industrial Engineer, one of two women in her class, and who is paying out of pocket to improve her English (which is very good) and go to MBA school parttime. Inspiring! I've found time to read on my balcony (a luxury that I unfortunately don't have as much time for nowadays); and I have become a regular at a local Independent Film Club.

The Independent Film group was a real find. It is a small group of people who meet every Tuesday night to watch quality spanish independent films. (As it goes in Ronda, I knew about half the group.) And the movie is followed by a lengthy discussion around a table with a bowl of olives, a bowl of peanuts and some beverages. It is exhilarating to be surrounded by people who are engaged in the arts, and have a somewhat pretentious conversation about film themes and camera angles in Spanish.

Last weekend: I went to Marbella, a costal town nearby, for the day on Friday. Along with the joy of laying on the beach in am bathing suit and the smell of salt water, I also got tremendous pleasure from stopping at and purchasing from EVERY bakery we came across, with my sweet-tooth-partner-in-crime, Jen. We had quite the feast on the busride home. That night we participated in a regular intercambio event at a local pub, and had the first night of all out DANCING. We went to a dance club early (2 am) and since there was no one there, we were able to bust out our moves. Dancing has been the main thing that I have missed since I arrived in Ronda. It is peculiar, but this just simply isn't a dancing community, and although there are spaces to dance, people are rather timid. But, have no fear, A.Tianna is here to teach Ronda how to boogie.
I also went on an excursion with the local Teacher's Association, on a hike through the countryside to a cave. Very beautiful at the time of year, with leaves changing colors, and we are fortunate to have unseasonably warm weather during the day. It gets bitingly cold at night, but the days are warm and sunny. At the end of the hike we went to a restaurant and had a HUGE typical Spanish meal, with olives, chorizo, salad, wine and a Rabbit Paella. Yes, it was my first time eating rabbit, and although I had to push thoughts of little Thumper out of my mind, it was mighty tasty. That night was another out until 6 am night, that begun with playing pool and darts and more dancing with born and raised Rondenos. The last song of the night was Imagine, by the Beatles; it was great to hear a whole pub full of Spaniards belting out the lyrics. I was also able to bust out some of my moves I had learned in my first couple weeks of Flamenco dance classes. I am loving the class, again of people all at least twice my age, and a feminine bunch. I feel professional as I practice in my living room, showing off to my audience - my roommates. I am confident that my feet stomping, arms flailing, and fingers twirling will soon take shape, and I will be stupendous! For now, I have a supportive audience. I've decided - all i need is the dress.

Sunday, I read up on Spanish history and current politics, to try and fill in the gap that is my horrific ignorance of Spanish history. The highlights of what I learned: They were under a dictatorship, Franco for 40 years. Up until 1975, when he died everything was very traditional, and there was much censorship and conservative standards of living. One of the good things Franco did do was increase tourism to the country, and boosted the economy. There is all sorts of complexities of policies when the power was lifted and transition was made; that included the legalization of birth control, but without any education to go along with it. Jump to present day Spanish politics and we have a king and an active president. The President/Prime Minister, Zapatero, is of the Socialist Workers Party. He made Spain the first country in the world to give equal marriage and adoption rights to gay couples in 2005. My studies proved incredibly rewarding when the next day at school the teachers were talking about a comment the King made to Hugo Chavez, and I had read the article!!

So, in between lesson plans and teaching, I am trying to make the most of this experience.
I try and take the time, often with my roommate, to go down to the Mirador that looks over the beautiful valley at sunset and realign my equilibrium and find peace in the world. I write in my journal and ponder life and what my plans may be at the end of these 8 months. There is something about living in a new and foreign place that makes us live such rich lives. But it doesn't need to be that way. It is not as if I am traveling. I am simply loving every little thing. The smell of fresh bread from the bakeries, the feeling of children running up and hugging my calf, 'hola!', teaching a pop song to students, or drenching my bread with olive oil. Going on hikes, reading books, taking pictures of sunsets. These are all things you could do anywhere. But there is something about the way we choose to look at the world, and the people we surround ourselves with, that can be especially inspiring, uplifting and beautiful. I have been doing an annual thanksgiving fast with my friend the past couple days, as a way of focusing on everything that I am grateful for, and boy.......there sure is a lot. I think I'm going to break fast tonight with leftover Rabbit Paella.