Where to Begin...

So now that I've been back in Spain for 2.5 months, I think it's about time to write about my new home and my new job...

I'm teaching in Lekeitio, Pais Vasco (Basque Country), Spain. Lekeitio is a gorgeous town on the northern coast of Spain, halfway between Bilbao and San Sebastian. Everyone in my town speaks Basque as their first language, and goes through a trilingual program in school, learning both Spanish and English as foreign languages. Some students even choose to take French or Latin as an elective. Language learning is just something they do here, which I think is pretty neat, as I have a passion for learning languages.

Most of the signs here are in Basque, sometimes without a Spanish translation!

However, my interest in learning languages is surprisingly inhibiting me from learning Basque, rather than aiding it. I'm a native English speaker with a high level of Spanish, began learning French from a friend last year, and have studied Mandarin Chinese with my brother in the past. Since I already have a basic foundation of two other languages, I want at least one of them to progress, for fear of losing all of them if I add a third language into my beginner's category. Plus, I live in close proximity to France, and other countries that speak the language (Belgium, Morocco), so I'm trying to set aside some time to study the language while I'm here. 

Recent trip to Belgium!

Although I haven't learned much more than a few phrases in Basque, I do really like their culture; I think it's so fascinating! I love when my students show me traditional dances, popular songs by local musicians, and tell me about their sports or traditions. Here is one band I was introduced to:

Living in the Basque Country gives me a new and rich cultural experience, while still allowing me to practice the same Spanish language with all of Europe at my fingertips.

Estadounidense en ECUADOR for a month!

I spent the month of September doing a TESOL course in Quito, Ecuador. Overall it was a fabulous month & I wish it could have lasted longer. But, alas, I had to return to Spain to work as an auxiliar again. (Don't get me wrong, I am very excited to be here too! This time I will be on the Northern coast in Pais Vasco!)

View of Quito from the terrace where we ate lunch everyday!

I had been wanting to go to Ecuador for a long time because for the past few summers, I've worked with a large group of Ecuadorian college students on an International exchange program through their university. I also lived with a host-family in Quito, so outside of my clases, I was always doing things with locals. This was my favorite part of the experience because other times I've traveled (including now), I've known very few locals, if any, upon arrival.

Grabbing coffee with a couple friends

Although it was a short period of time, I made the most of my month in Quito. I was able to visit Teleférico (a mountain overlooking the city), La Mitad del Mundo (the equator), Panecillo (a smaller mountain with a statue at the top on the edge of the city), Cotopaxi (one of the tallest, active, snow-capped volcanos), the historic center, 2 gorgeous cathedrals, go shopping, go to the movies, and try some great food (both in restaurants & homemade). And all of that was just on the weekends as Monday-Fridays were filled with 10 hours of class and a 30 min commute each way.

Hiking [part of] Cotopaxi

I don't have to have the TESOL certification for my job in Spain, but it will make my job easier. There were some things we learned that would have been helpful to use in my classes last year. Plus, the certification is good for life, so if I ever want to spend a summer abroad after I start teaching in the States, it will be much easier. And, more than anything, I just wanted an excuse to visit Ecuador :)

At Teleférico with some of my host-family

Hopefully leaving was just an hasta pronto, not a full out adios!

Wordless Wednesday 5/2

Tetouan, Morocco

Wordless Wednesdays 4/11

"La Alhambra Reflections" - Granada, Spain

Horseback-Riding on the Beach!

Two weekends ago my roommate Jessa and I went on a trip with Discover Sevilla to go to Mataslascañas Beach for a day of riding horses and enjoying the coast! It was actually the first time I went horsebacking-riding, so it was very exciting. My friend Jeanie was on the same trip, and I talked a bit with a few other travelers too, most of whom were study abroad students.

Jessa and me enjoying the playa

My friends and I were in the first group to ride the horses. My horse was really calm, and her name was Albina (she was albino!). Our trail led from the stables through Doñana National Park. At first we were just riding through the trees. As we got higher into the hills, we had a beautiful view of the beach to our left and the valleys to our right. To head back to the stables, we went down the hills to the shore and rode most of the way back along the coast! A short trail through Doñana National Park lead us the rest of the way back from the beach.

I do not have pictures from the horseback ride (can you imagine holding a camera while riding a horse?), 

but here is a short video from their webpage to give you an idea of the scenery.

It was really nice being in the first group to ride because it gave us the rest of the afternoon to relax without any interruptions. After enjoying a glass of the free Sangria provided for us, Jeanie and I headed to a seafood restaurant for lunch with one of the other travelers. We got an outside table with a view of the beach that was right in the sun. It was perfect. The local shrimp was especially tasty :) The weather that day was sunny and warm, but also had quite a bit of wind - at times it was a little chilly, but while we were at the restaurant, the building blocked the wind for us!

Jeanie and me after lunch

I finished out the afternoon with attempted napping/sunbathing, walking along the beach, finding a souvenir seashell, and grabbing dessert with friends. 

Matalascañas Beach, in the providence of Huelva

On my horse for the day, in the morning before the ride.

Wordless Wednesdays 3/21

"Las Fallas Fireworks" - Valencia, Spain

[Almost] Wordless Wednesdays 3/14

"Springtime Spirit" - Munich, Germany

While I know it is somewhat late for a Christmas-y photo, the colorful, fresh produce does tie it into Springtime a little bit. Incase I do not get around to posting my December puentes, I wanted to share a small sample of Germany's Christmas Markets. With how warm the temperatures are beginning to get here, I am not sure I will find much motivation to post cold weather pictures after this week.