I have been doing research for my Morocco trip in which we depart from Sevilla at 4:45am. So I had to book a hostel for a few hours.
After searching online, I found that the train is an AVE train - a high speed train. I would take a train to Ciudad Real (40 minutes, 6 euros) then wait about an hour and get on the high speed train to Seville (1.5 hours, 50 euros, yes, 50 euros - I get a discount of some sort, but am not crazy about the price). Giving a grand total of 50 euros more or less, and about 3 hours of my time (including the wait time)
Today I walked to the sketchy bus station (the street lights has just turned on making it even more eerie that it is in the daylight). There is not a reliable website for the buses, so it is necessary to walk to the station and bug them with questions. When I got to the train station, the main overhead lights weren't on, just the tiny light in the ticket office. The woman behind the counter was about to leave and I am probably annoyed her with all of my questions, which now that I think of it I missed a good one because I later found out that Seville has 2 bus stations, and it matters which one I am dropped off at...oh well. The bus leaves from Manzanares at 4:15am, and gets in at 9am. So we have an early early early morning and I wouldn't be able to check in to my hostel until 12 or later. (That is almost 5 hours on a bus. 15.09 euros, much cheaper) and the return bus is 8:30pm and gets in at 1:45am ( Again, about 5 hours on a bus, 15.09 euros, much cheaper) So we have a grand total of about 31 euros and 10 hours of my time.
No idea which to pick. Maybe I can do the bus one way and the train another. Hostel is booked just need to figure out how to get there...
Opinions welcome!
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Soup for the soul
Clearly keeping up with my blog was an ill-fated New Year's resolution. (Have any of you kept yours thus far?)
First and most importantly: My two adult private lesson students passed their B2 English exam! They were so worried! I am so proud of them! This gives them many more opportunities job-wise, and they can make more money! It just reflects well on me - and can give me more lesson opportunities in the future.
Christmas (wow, I'm still on that) was something I cannot put in to words really. I have so many family traditions that I treasure - so going home was a blast (and it was needed). It gave me a mood boost and gave me some more inspiration. I still have no idea what I am doing with my future, just taking it a day at a time. I've noticed days here where I am happy - plain and simple!
I feel like coming back another year would do me some good. I now have a sense of what I am doing here and what I would like to do - and I would bring more things here and be prepared (I wish I had Candy Corn to share over Halloween, and conversation hearts for Valentine's day!) I would be more prepared for my job, but also more prepared for my private lessons! I did buy a memory game with words and pictures and that has worked well, so I need to buy more games like that.
Coming back another year to a pueblo also gives me a chance to practice my Spanish (which I am really enjoying). Hopefully that will lead to more job opportunities for me in the future - whatever that may be.
I haven't been feeling well in the past 2 weeks, which is super frustrating. I caught a virus and it is still lingering no matter how much vitamin C, or medicines I am taking. Even more frustrating is the fact that I can't just run down to the store and get some Campbell's Chicken Noodle. In fact, they don't have canned soup at all. Sometimes you can get chicken broth in a box - you still have to add to it to make it taste bearable. Recently Mike's sister had been sick, so he made her homemade chicken noodle soup, so luckily he gave me the recipe and I was able to copy from it. I didn't have chicken - but I had everything else. Although I would have rather opened a can of Campbell's - add a cup of water and heated it up in my sick condition - I was stuck making homemade soup. After g-chatting with a friend and crying because I felt so awful, I sucked it up and went to the kitchen. I had garlic, chicken broth, carrots, celery, seasoning, onion and some other leafy thing I got from the fruteria. I had to peel, chop, saute, and be patient. You have to make sure all of the veggies are cooked - and carrots take awhile. Finally I added noodles and chicken broth and waited some more. I felt like I was going to pass out, or cry again.
Finally after what seemed like eternity, the soup was ready - and it was possibly the best chicken soup I have ever had. I felt accomplished and the soup was good for my soul. I now know how to make delicious soup - just don't ask me to make it because I am tired just thinking about it!
Until Next Time
Tori
First and most importantly: My two adult private lesson students passed their B2 English exam! They were so worried! I am so proud of them! This gives them many more opportunities job-wise, and they can make more money! It just reflects well on me - and can give me more lesson opportunities in the future.
Christmas (wow, I'm still on that) was something I cannot put in to words really. I have so many family traditions that I treasure - so going home was a blast (and it was needed). It gave me a mood boost and gave me some more inspiration. I still have no idea what I am doing with my future, just taking it a day at a time. I've noticed days here where I am happy - plain and simple!
I feel like coming back another year would do me some good. I now have a sense of what I am doing here and what I would like to do - and I would bring more things here and be prepared (I wish I had Candy Corn to share over Halloween, and conversation hearts for Valentine's day!) I would be more prepared for my job, but also more prepared for my private lessons! I did buy a memory game with words and pictures and that has worked well, so I need to buy more games like that.
Coming back another year to a pueblo also gives me a chance to practice my Spanish (which I am really enjoying). Hopefully that will lead to more job opportunities for me in the future - whatever that may be.
I haven't been feeling well in the past 2 weeks, which is super frustrating. I caught a virus and it is still lingering no matter how much vitamin C, or medicines I am taking. Even more frustrating is the fact that I can't just run down to the store and get some Campbell's Chicken Noodle. In fact, they don't have canned soup at all. Sometimes you can get chicken broth in a box - you still have to add to it to make it taste bearable. Recently Mike's sister had been sick, so he made her homemade chicken noodle soup, so luckily he gave me the recipe and I was able to copy from it. I didn't have chicken - but I had everything else. Although I would have rather opened a can of Campbell's - add a cup of water and heated it up in my sick condition - I was stuck making homemade soup. After g-chatting with a friend and crying because I felt so awful, I sucked it up and went to the kitchen. I had garlic, chicken broth, carrots, celery, seasoning, onion and some other leafy thing I got from the fruteria. I had to peel, chop, saute, and be patient. You have to make sure all of the veggies are cooked - and carrots take awhile. Finally I added noodles and chicken broth and waited some more. I felt like I was going to pass out, or cry again.
Finally after what seemed like eternity, the soup was ready - and it was possibly the best chicken soup I have ever had. I felt accomplished and the soup was good for my soul. I now know how to make delicious soup - just don't ask me to make it because I am tired just thinking about it!
Until Next Time
Tori
Friday, February 18, 2011
Sophie's Choice
I am a bit stuck.
My Best Friend's Wedding is this October and I am a bridesmaid. I am stoked that my best friend is getting married, the groom is a perfect match for her. I was previously cleared to start my contract here in Spain late in November so that I can attend her Oct 29th wedding.
Today they told me the Ministry of Education does have a problem with it because they pay for 8 months of an Auxiliar, and I would only be here 7. (I don't understand the problem, they would be saving one month of pay to me)
Anyways, they have a problem with it, so if I renew I have to start Oct 1st. ONLY option would be to pay for a plane ticket back on the 26th or 27th of October, and then come back. Which sucks considering flights aren't cheap and I would have JUST gotten here and used to jet lag. Not to mention if I go back then I will miss out on a lot of festivities and I would probably have to give up being a bridesmaid since I would need to have my dress fitted and everything. UGH.
I don't know what to do.
Do I miss out on my Best Friend's Wedding and the chance to be a bridesmaid to her?
Do I try and find another job?
Do I not go out at all ever over summer to save money to pay for another plane ticket home?
Do I give up the honor of being a Bridesmaid?
This would be a little simpler if I had a ton of money...
I have no idea on where to begin on the pros and cons of my decision. All I want to do it cry over it.
I promise a better update on my blog this weekend!
My Best Friend's Wedding is this October and I am a bridesmaid. I am stoked that my best friend is getting married, the groom is a perfect match for her. I was previously cleared to start my contract here in Spain late in November so that I can attend her Oct 29th wedding.
Today they told me the Ministry of Education does have a problem with it because they pay for 8 months of an Auxiliar, and I would only be here 7. (I don't understand the problem, they would be saving one month of pay to me)
Anyways, they have a problem with it, so if I renew I have to start Oct 1st. ONLY option would be to pay for a plane ticket back on the 26th or 27th of October, and then come back. Which sucks considering flights aren't cheap and I would have JUST gotten here and used to jet lag. Not to mention if I go back then I will miss out on a lot of festivities and I would probably have to give up being a bridesmaid since I would need to have my dress fitted and everything. UGH.
I don't know what to do.
Do I miss out on my Best Friend's Wedding and the chance to be a bridesmaid to her?
Do I try and find another job?
Do I not go out at all ever over summer to save money to pay for another plane ticket home?
Do I give up the honor of being a Bridesmaid?
This would be a little simpler if I had a ton of money...
I have no idea on where to begin on the pros and cons of my decision. All I want to do it cry over it.
I promise a better update on my blog this weekend!
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Sadly, I am feeling a bit under the weather. So this weekend has been filled with drinking fluids, taking vitamins and not being able to taste my food. I would kill for some Campbell's chicken noodle soup. So it has been a movie watching weekend.
Today is San Antonio (or tomorrow is but we still have school). The big bonfire at the church is tonight so I am hoping to be well enough to go so I can witness this. I have learned so much about the catholic faith since I have been over here.
My trip home was indescribable. I had such a great time and laughed so much. I love spending time with my family! I'm glad I was home for our many Christmas traditions. We always get a real Christmas tree and every year it is always an experience in picking just the right one. I feel that the tree grows on the drive home because every time we get home we have to shorted it a little bit. As always Dad put on the lights on the tree and then we decorated it. I was a little sad that my Brother has seemed to outgrow the tradition and went out with friends. But we had Chocolate Claus and Christmas music so it was still very special. Most of our ornaments have special meaning - I love that.
We went and did out Christmas Trip to the Galleria in Dallas, and I got my traditional chocolate covered strawberry from Godiva. This year it meant even more since we don't have strawberries in Spain yet...not until April. Love that freshness stuff...Oh how I want some strawberries!
It was a great family day, I don't think I will ever grow too old for things like that.
I'll update the next installment soon. Time for some tea...
Tori
XOXO
Today is San Antonio (or tomorrow is but we still have school). The big bonfire at the church is tonight so I am hoping to be well enough to go so I can witness this. I have learned so much about the catholic faith since I have been over here.
My trip home was indescribable. I had such a great time and laughed so much. I love spending time with my family! I'm glad I was home for our many Christmas traditions. We always get a real Christmas tree and every year it is always an experience in picking just the right one. I feel that the tree grows on the drive home because every time we get home we have to shorted it a little bit. As always Dad put on the lights on the tree and then we decorated it. I was a little sad that my Brother has seemed to outgrow the tradition and went out with friends. But we had Chocolate Claus and Christmas music so it was still very special. Most of our ornaments have special meaning - I love that.
We went and did out Christmas Trip to the Galleria in Dallas, and I got my traditional chocolate covered strawberry from Godiva. This year it meant even more since we don't have strawberries in Spain yet...not until April. Love that freshness stuff...Oh how I want some strawberries!
It was a great family day, I don't think I will ever grow too old for things like that.
I'll update the next installment soon. Time for some tea...
Tori
XOXO
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Jet Lag - again
It has been hard to update since my jet lag is making me all kinds of tired at weird hours. Yesterday I woke up around 8 or 9 and ate a balanced breakfast and then was out walking around town for some exercise and bought some things for the house. I am going to attempt to bake chicken today. I have some delicious lemon pepper from the US of A that I am going to add to it. One of my friends back home found some recipes for me that I can look around and try. It was nice being home and not having to cook that much, now I am back in Manzanares and in charge of buying groceries AND cooking. Honestly I haven’t had much of an appetite, lately I have been skipping out on dinner because I am not hungry – this will probably change when school starts (MONDAY!) and I have all of my private lessons.
I hope I can stay awake for it all!
I am excited about my lesson on Monday because I bought a bunch of books for the 4 year old I have including Little Golden Books, which has brought back many memories. I remember when I was younger my sister and I would go pick out a Little Golden Book for our Dad to read to us before we went to bed, family tradition, and a good one at that. I also bought some Dr. Seuss books – those are all classics. In fact, when I brought the books home, my Dad read The Cat in the Hat to me (yes, I am 23 years old, but I enjoyed it like a 5 year old).
Being home was worth all of the stress it took me to get home and back. Traveling is one of my favorite things – but sometimes the airlines make it so hard on you to enjoy it.
I have a huge process I have to follow when I fly out of Madrid. I have to take a train (2 hours) to Madrid and stay in a hostel overnight so that I have plenty of time to make my flight. The train schedule isn’t always convenient – I think they did that on purpose. I usually take a late train out so that I can still have all of my private lessons. Then it is a pain to take the metro from the train station because it usually involves a large amount of stairs (and more often than not, someone is willing to help me because I try and look extra pathetic). Then getting to the hostel, there is another flight of stairs – I had a suitcase filled with wine – making it a trek.
Then, I stay the night at the hostel, make sure to set my alarm and go to bed early because the metro ride is about 45 minutes from my hostel to the airport (again, switching one metro line without an elevator, leaving some poor soul to help me). I finally got to the ticket counter at the airport – which is another trek to a different terminal from which the metro drops you off. I get to the counter, and the agent gives me a middle seat – um yeah no. I asked her if that was the ONLY seat on the plane – she said it was. I was almost in tears knowing that flying for 9-11 hours on a plane in the middle seat is actually NOT okay with me. The plane was delayed 2 and a half hours – meaning I was going to miss my connecting flight from Atlanta to Dallas – you’ve got to be kidding me. You stick me in a middle seat – AND I’m going to miss my next flight. Two strikes Delta! I decided to go up to the ticket counter and just SEE if there were any other seats (by this time I contemplated paying for a first class seat), and the agent was like, “Oh yeah, here is an aisle”. So the lady at the ticket counter lied to me, but I was super excited to not have to deal with a middle seat (which by the way two larger passengers were sitting in the row I would have been in).
Finally on the plane, some idiot hits me in the head with his suitcase (Really?). I started feeling nauseous and my head was throbbing. The flight attendant came by and offered me some Tylenol and ice. She was so pleasant, it really made the flight not so bad.
Then getting another connecting flight was another story. I had to get in line with a million other passengers that missed their connections as well. The first Delta employee told me I had to wait until the morning to fly out (yep, staying in a hotel for the night), I was almost in tears. I just wanted to go home. The agent at the counter asked me what I needed, and I told her I was trying not to be upset (the tears were about the come out), and she then told me they had ONE seat on the 7pm flight – note it was 6:30 and I had to go through security behind a woman with all the metal jewelry she owned AND take a tram to another terminal. I had to run, I had to weave myself up an escalator, I had to run some more to make my flight – and I was one of the last people on.
Coming home to my family (and Chick-fil-a and Dr. Pepper) made all of that nonsense totally worth it.
Until Next Time
Tori XOXO
I hope I can stay awake for it all!
I am excited about my lesson on Monday because I bought a bunch of books for the 4 year old I have including Little Golden Books, which has brought back many memories. I remember when I was younger my sister and I would go pick out a Little Golden Book for our Dad to read to us before we went to bed, family tradition, and a good one at that. I also bought some Dr. Seuss books – those are all classics. In fact, when I brought the books home, my Dad read The Cat in the Hat to me (yes, I am 23 years old, but I enjoyed it like a 5 year old).
Being home was worth all of the stress it took me to get home and back. Traveling is one of my favorite things – but sometimes the airlines make it so hard on you to enjoy it.
I have a huge process I have to follow when I fly out of Madrid. I have to take a train (2 hours) to Madrid and stay in a hostel overnight so that I have plenty of time to make my flight. The train schedule isn’t always convenient – I think they did that on purpose. I usually take a late train out so that I can still have all of my private lessons. Then it is a pain to take the metro from the train station because it usually involves a large amount of stairs (and more often than not, someone is willing to help me because I try and look extra pathetic). Then getting to the hostel, there is another flight of stairs – I had a suitcase filled with wine – making it a trek.
Then, I stay the night at the hostel, make sure to set my alarm and go to bed early because the metro ride is about 45 minutes from my hostel to the airport (again, switching one metro line without an elevator, leaving some poor soul to help me). I finally got to the ticket counter at the airport – which is another trek to a different terminal from which the metro drops you off. I get to the counter, and the agent gives me a middle seat – um yeah no. I asked her if that was the ONLY seat on the plane – she said it was. I was almost in tears knowing that flying for 9-11 hours on a plane in the middle seat is actually NOT okay with me. The plane was delayed 2 and a half hours – meaning I was going to miss my connecting flight from Atlanta to Dallas – you’ve got to be kidding me. You stick me in a middle seat – AND I’m going to miss my next flight. Two strikes Delta! I decided to go up to the ticket counter and just SEE if there were any other seats (by this time I contemplated paying for a first class seat), and the agent was like, “Oh yeah, here is an aisle”. So the lady at the ticket counter lied to me, but I was super excited to not have to deal with a middle seat (which by the way two larger passengers were sitting in the row I would have been in).
Finally on the plane, some idiot hits me in the head with his suitcase (Really?). I started feeling nauseous and my head was throbbing. The flight attendant came by and offered me some Tylenol and ice. She was so pleasant, it really made the flight not so bad.
Then getting another connecting flight was another story. I had to get in line with a million other passengers that missed their connections as well. The first Delta employee told me I had to wait until the morning to fly out (yep, staying in a hotel for the night), I was almost in tears. I just wanted to go home. The agent at the counter asked me what I needed, and I told her I was trying not to be upset (the tears were about the come out), and she then told me they had ONE seat on the 7pm flight – note it was 6:30 and I had to go through security behind a woman with all the metal jewelry she owned AND take a tram to another terminal. I had to run, I had to weave myself up an escalator, I had to run some more to make my flight – and I was one of the last people on.
Coming home to my family (and Chick-fil-a and Dr. Pepper) made all of that nonsense totally worth it.
Until Next Time
Tori XOXO
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
I'm back
If you noticed, I took a bit of a hiatus from blogging. I only told a few people the news that I was coming back to the States for Christmas, and I wanted to keep a surprise element for a few people. So I didn’t write about it. When I got home I spent a lot of time with family and friends and neglected to update you on my adventures.
I’ll update you slowly but surely on the highlights of my trip. Today I am just recovering from a long journey back from Texas
Karlyne, my roommate was chosen to be one of the Kings yesterday so the children could drop off their letters of what they wanted as presents (the Kings bring presents). There are about 5 black people in Manzanares, and they wanted her to play the part, which I think is absolutely stellar. I don’t know if she is going to be in the parade, I passed out at 5pm yesterday so I haven’t talked to her about her experience.
Today I have to get a lot done, tomorrow is a holiday and we all know that means everything is closed. I haven’t eaten since yesterday morning and I only have pasta and rice in the pantry, so I need to go shopping and get some food. Back to healthy eating – fresh fruits and veggies. I am excited to cook with some things I brought back with me – salsa, lemon pepper, and I did splurge and get some mac n cheese.
Now…just have to wait another hour for the stores to open.
Until Next Time
Tori
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