I cannot write during this week when we are so absorbed in the activities from 9 in the morning until late in the night!
I will catch up at the end of the week.
The Quemada ceremony
So I am actually writing this on Friday as we ride the bus back to Madrid at the end of the week. I do not have the words yet to describe the sweetness and depth of friendships that have developed in this compressed time together as a group so I will begin with a description of the program and see what else comes.
The week began on Saturday evening with a tapas reception in Madrid where we met the other Anglos as we are called in this program. There are 12 of us, 5 from the United States, a young couple from Texas, a woman who is of Mexican
Heritage from Southern California, and us, one young woman from Norway, and 5 folks from Britain, a woman who has participated in Vaughantown 9 times, 2 brothers, and another woman, and a man from India. 9 Spaniards from all over Spain but mostly Barcelona and Madrid, a program director and a Master of Ceremonies. We really didn't know what to expect. We knew there would be 1:1 conversational sessions between Anglos and Spaniards, some kinds of participatory entertainment all taking place near the town of Avila about 3 hours west of Madrid in the country in a 4 Star hotel with all meals included.
Sunday morning we boarded the bus together and departed for Puerto de Gredos and the talking began, really not ending except for a siesta each day after lunch and some hours for sleep.
The accommodations:
We checked in, relaxed, and so began our week.
Note: "everything happens for a reason"
That is what Malena the program director explained about the design of VaughanTown. It is true - all lwith the goal of facilitating communication and alleviating anxiety, especially for the Spaniards who were required to speak only English all week.
So every morning breakfast was at 9. A full breakfast with cured meats, cheeses, eggs and lots of fruit.
And after breakfast, we consult the schedule to see with whom we have a 1:1 session.
We could sit in the lobby during the 50 minute session or go for walks around the area, down to the river or to town.
Lunch at 2, dinner at 9. After all, this is Spain! Wine with lunch and dinner and of course a full bar for all times in between or late into the night, and for some, early morning.
So I gather that this is your week to teach English. Look forward to future posts!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your interest and encouragement, Jeanne
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