I have been off line for the last week because I have been busy on the language immersion course I signed up for in Valldelavilla!
I came to this week with very few expectations - only the knowledge that I have the chance to spend a week in the countryside, eating three-course meals for lunch and dinner and talk all day with little or no expenses - a dream situation for a poor backpacker!
What I experienced is much more enjoyable than I imagined. We had 20 english speakers and 20 spanish speakers there last week. For the first few hours after arrival we settled in our separate groups and looked suspiciously at each other. Not a great start..... The english speakers didn't know each other but we at least all spoke the same language.
After a few ice-breakers, the sessions of talking started and we found ourselves talking one-to-one with a different spanish person for an hour all morning and afternoon. After apologising for their bad english, the conversations usually started to flow and we all got to know each other very quickly.
Tongues were loosened each evening in the bar and before long everyone felt like old friends. At every meal we sat at tables of four - with 2 english speakers and 2 spanish speakers at each table. This is where some of the funniest conversations happened - often with each of us talking about something completely different and trying to figure out what the topic was when we got off track.
Like any intense courses, there are intensely funny situations and there were many many laughs all week. I was definitely in my element with these great people and I know that more than a few people thought I was completely mad. There was at least one lady who made it clear that she disliked me and a few others who were having fun, but I figured that it was her problem if our good mood grated on her.
The week was long and tiring but VERY enjoyable. The location was peaceful and stunning but it was the people who made it so great. I barely slept and still managed to get up every day and keep on talking. My plan was to catch up on sleep when I returned to Madrid but I have had a few nights out with people from the course that have kept me out once again.
Today was my enforced rest. I am completely out of money {except for 5 euros in my pocket} until my bank transfer comes through tonight so it was a great excuse to stay in bed all day and catch up on some sleep.
Ok, I am off to finish my laundry, find something cheap to eat and find somewhere to watch the Spain game tonight.
Hope you are all well = would love to hear some news from home if you have time!
kel
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