#Spanish School in Sevilla

[psychooomind]

Mixed Signals - 2

Severus Snape x reader

Summary: Set between 1989 and 1998, Severus Snape and Katya Borislova attend the European Potioneers' Assemblies, where they meet and begin a pen pal friendship that confuses them both.

This is a prequel to another of my Harry Potter fanfics, The New Founders.

A multi-entry, slow-burn, colleagues to lovers, smut

Chapter 1. You can also read it at AO3 here.

30 June 1993 - Day 1 of the European Potioneers' Assembly, Vienna

The assemblies of the European Potioneers' Club were traditionally held in central locations of European cities, and this year was no exception. The 1993 European Potioneers' Assembly took place at Vienna's Physiological-Chemical Institute, where some members had rented a couple of classrooms equipped with laboratories for the four-day event. To avoid drawing the attention of Muggle academics, the rooms were enchanted to give the appearance of a contagious project in progress, effectively deterring unwanted curiosity.

The club was not particularly large, with only nineteen members in total, eleven of whom had attended this year’s assembly. They were spread across two classrooms and a laboratory, working in small groups. The purpose of the assembly was to exchange knowledge about potions, share updates, recommend books, or draft reports detailing the latest progress in their research. Furthermore, an active, honorary part of the club involved creating potions to donate to academic institutions or magical health centres in need. Participants received a certificate for their contributions to any of these activities.

Katya preferred the practical aspect of the event, so she was focused on potion-making, meticulously weighing ingredients to create an antiseptic potion for wound healing. Her plan was to prepare a batch of one hundred potions to send to the Federal Magical Health Centre in Moscow. Earlier that day, they had listened to a presentation by her former professor from Koldovstoretz, Arkady Dolgorukov, whom Katya deeply admired. He had introduced a possible update for the Wolfsbane Potion and was the one who had invited her to join the club right after she finished school.

Also present was Sigurður Björnsson, an Icelandic Potions Master teaching at Durmstrang, known for his stern expression and habit of observing others with an air of disapproval. He had presented an antidote of his own invention to treat poisoning caused by Glumbumble treacle.

According to the itinerary, the following day Jakob and Andrea Wagner, Austrian twins attending for the first time and seemingly more interested in socialising than participating actively, were scheduled to present their report on facial beautification potions, a subject Katya deemed irrelevant. On the other hand, Catalina Sevilla, a young Spanish witch Katya’s age who had been attending the assemblies for two years, would present an update on the Bone-Regrowing Potion alongside a Potions professor in her forties from Beauxbatons Academy. Their work promised to significantly accelerate the potion’s effects.

On the third day of the assembly, Finn Genod, a Swedish Potions Master renowned for his meticulous note-taking during every gathering, would present his new book on potions. Katya had noticed him arrive on the first day carrying several copies. Also scheduled was Anya Müller, a German witch close to Professor Dolgorukov, who would discuss her work dedicated to antidotes for magical creature poisons—a topic that greatly interested Katya.

The fourth and final day would feature Giovanni Santos, an Italian professor from Beauxbatons, who would give a presentation on potions to accelerate the growth of plants, particularly the healing herb dittany. Additionally, recommendations for Professor Dolgorukov’s Wolfsbane Potion report would be discussed, along with reviews of the other presentations. To close the event, certificates would be awarded, a task assigned to Horace Slughorn, a retired Hogwarts professor and the club’s coordinator. Finally, Katya and Severus Snape, the current Potions Master at Hogwarts, would present their progress on the potions they had been working on. Severus, in particular, had been preparing large-scale batches of blood-replenishing potions to donate to the school’s infirmary.

Katya was so absorbed in her work that she didn’t notice the other attendees beginning to pack up their belongings, signalling the end of the day. She glanced at her slow progress with frustration, then checked her watch: the day had flown by. From the corner of her eye, she noticed her friend, who also seemed engrossed in his task. Severus worked with meticulous precision, almost automatically, as he prepared his potions. He was dressed in a grey long-sleeved shirt and black trousers, an unusual choice for someone who normally opted for his characteristic black robes.

Katya took a moment to observe him more closely: his broad shoulders, his dark hair tied back in a ponytail, and his expert hands. She sighed inwardly, allowing herself a few seconds of admiration. Remaining just friends with Severus was proving to be more challenging than she had anticipated.

Their friendship had spanned nearly four years, beginning with a series of letters exchanged after meeting at the 1989 assembly. From the start, Katya had been drawn to him, and when the event concluded, she had persistently asked Professor Dolgorukov to provide Severus's contact information. Through this, she had sent him a letter, initiating a correspondence that began formally, with the two recommending books on Potions, Charms, and even the Dark Arts. Over time, their exchanges evolved. By 1991, when Dolgorukov and other members had brought records to listen to during work sessions, they had begun recommending music—both magical and Muggle—along with novels and films. It was Severus who had introduced Katya to Star Wars.

The letters became less formal, and they began discussing everyday topics. Katya confided in him about the stress of working at Borislov Enterprise, while he shared his frustrations with the tediousness of teaching at Hogwarts. By 1992, after assembly hours, they had even gone sightseeing together on multiple occasions. However, since Katya had invited him to her apartment in Moscow via Floo Network, their relationship had taken an unexpected turn.

Katya admired Severus deeply and had never hidden her interest in him, an interest that went beyond mere friendship. Yet this interest seemed to make Severus uneasy and apprehensive. Since that meeting in Moscow, where an unexpected kiss had been shared, both had decided to maintain appearances and prioritise their friendship, pretending the moment had never happened. Still, Katya found it increasingly difficult to suppress her feelings, especially when she observed him so closely.

As the minutes passed, she heard some colleagues murmuring about heading to a Muggle pub with karaoke. The idea didn’t sound bad to her. Smiling, she approached Severus, who was still focused on his work.

“Are you going?” she asked, standing beside him.

Severus looked up, startled by the interruption. He had only just begun to notice the others discussing the outing to the karaoke pub. He frowned slightly and, after a brief pause, replied,

“Karaoke?” he said with evident distaste. “Wouldn’t you prefer a walk along the canal?”

His suggestion took Katya by surprise, and she couldn’t help but smile; he always found a way to avoid situations that took him out of his comfort zone. It wasn’t the first time he had rejected social events in favour of something quieter and more private. While karaoke sounded fun, the prospect of a quiet walk alone with him was far more tempting.

“The canal sounds nice,” she replied, a slight smile gracing her lips.

Severus packed his belongings, and the two of them left the building, walking slowly. A comfortable silence settled between them as they covered the first few metres. Eventually, Severus broke the silence.

“How was your week?” he asked, without stopping.

Katya frowned, recalling how dreadful it had been. Work had been a nightmare, with the constant presence of Jan and Alexey in the office turning each day into sheer hell. The only thing calming her nerves at home had been a draught of Calming Potion.

“Intense,” she replied curtly, unwilling to delve into the topic. She wasn’t ready to tell Severus that her own brothers were harassing her at work. She knew she would have to discuss it with him eventually, but she didn’t want to ruin the tranquillity of the evening. “My colleagues are still bothering me.”

“We could always kill them,” Severus joked, a faint smile playing on his lips.

Katya returned the smile, and for a brief moment, she genuinely wished she could.

“And how do you suggest we do that?” she asked, moving closer and linking her arm with his. “Torture? Drowning?”

Severus let out a small laugh, and for the next few minutes, they crafted an elaborate, fictitious plan to kill her co-workers—who were, in reality, her brothers. Katya relished the sense of camaraderie between them, and the joke helped them both unwind.

“…and once there’s no trace of them, no one will suspect us,” Severus muttered seriously, while Katya laughed softly beside him.

They walked together, so close that under other circumstances, Severus would have preferred to keep some distance. But with Katya, it was different; he couldn’t bring himself to refuse her small gestures of closeness. He loved hearing her laugh. It was soft and contagious, and he couldn’t help but wonder if she would moan in the same way.

Merlin, calm down, he told himself, shaking the thought from his mind.

They reached the canal and walked in silence for a while. Katya mentioned that she had often come there as a child, her mother taking her on long strolls. Severus asked if she had a good relationship with her mother, and Katya smiled, recalling her fond memories of her.

After an hour and in the midst of one of their shared comfortable silences, Severus's stomach growled, breaking the moment. Katya, with a playful smile, insisted they have dinner at one of the restaurants by the waterfront.

They sat outside, enjoying the cool night breeze. Severus was momentarily captivated as Katya removed her light cream jumper, pulling it over her head. As she did, her shirt lifted slightly, offering a brief glimpse of her skin, just as it had in her Moscow apartment. He quickly shifted his gaze to the menu, trying to focus on something—anything—else.

“Ready to order?” asked the waiter in clumsy English.

“Yes, I’ll have the burger,” Katya replied with a smile. “And a martini.”

“The same, but with a stout,” added Severus.

The waiter nodded and left. Katya, gazing at the canal illuminated by the city lights, murmured,

“It’s a beautiful night.”

Severus nodded, his eyes fixed on her. Katya noticed his gaze out of the corner of her eye and felt her cheeks flush.

The next two hours passed in conversation, critiquing mutual acquaintances and sharing sarcastic humour. Severus greatly appreciated how Katya shared his dry sense of humour, laughing at his remarks instead of being offended. As the conversation flowed, Katya, now slightly tipsy, began wondering if Severus would make a move or if he would continue “respecting” their unspoken agreement to keep things as they were.

Severus was explaining some reactions he had observed while working with basilisk venom when the waiter approached to inform them the restaurant was about to close.

With a swift motion, Severus paid the bill. Checking his watch, he realised they had been talking for over four hours. Surprised by how quickly time had flown, he insisted on walking Katya back to her hotel, which was only a few blocks away.

“Would you like to come up?” Katya asked casually when they arrived.

Her hotel exuded luxury—a five-star establishment—and before they had even reached the steps, a bellboy was already approaching the door to greet them. Severus stopped, debating with himself what to do. Katya's proposal had caught him off guard.

“Kat…” he murmured. “Please…”

Katya looked at him, irritated, and Severus knew he had said the wrong thing.

“I was only inviting you inside, Severus,” she replied, with a touch of irony. “I wasn’t about to throw myself at you,” she muttered with resignation.

Severus let out a sigh, and before she could step into the hotel, he spoke impulsively:

“Maybe I want you to.”

Katya froze, turned around, her face flushed, but her brow furrowed.

“Sev…” she said firmly. That single word was enough to disarm Severus completely. “Make up your mind.”

She approached him, placed a gentle kiss on his lips, and with a smile, added:

“See you tomorrow.”

Severus nodded as he watched her walk into the hotel, remaining motionless for a few moments as though he needed to process what had just happened.

[spanishskulduggery]

I took that dialect quiz too and got the same results as you: Andalucía, Aragón, Asturias. I am a native English speaker from the US who learned Spanish in school + European Spanish media. It makes me wonder if other people who fit this profile will have the same results.

It's definitely possible

In my very limited experience, Andalusia (and Canary Islands) tends to be closest to Latin American Spanish especially Caribbean Spanish. As an example, Andalusia sometimes uses ustedes more than vosotros (and/or conjugates ustedes with vosotros forms)

The Cuban accent is notoriously very similar to the Andalusian and Canarian accents

There have been a lot of waves of emigration from the south of Spain to Latin America for centuries

The majority of all Spanish trade even during the Spanish Empire was centered in Sevilla and Cadiz which are in the south of Spain, along with the Canary Islands too

And though I couldn't say for sure, it may also have something to do with the various kinds of discrimination that existed in Spain - against moriscos which were heavily in southern Spain and in Valencia (Kingdom of Aragon at the time). The south also suffered heavily under Franco especially when Franco was beginning to take control of Spain

And there was a lot of immigration to Latin America from Asturias and they were often called indianos since they went to the "Indies"

I'm not too surprised that people learning Spanish in school would have more Spain-leanings since they teach castellano and so many countries have a strong history of Spanish emigration

[mariellewritesalot]

14 Going on 24: To All the Girls I've Been Before

Sometimes I still feel like a teenager in my twenties.

Except not really, because I turn 24 in a few days and I find myself in a small town in Sevilla, Spain with my own apartment just a 6-minute walk from the high school I'll be working in for a school year. I'm doing adult things, like going to the local bakery to order a cake for myself and two boxes of pastries to share with the faculty, paying my own bills, cooking all my meals, booking train tickets for the holidays, and reserving a table at a restaurant in full Spanish without panic. My real teenage self had different dreams fed to her by the innate trophy-daughter urge to please her parents: go to law school, find a nice Catholic boy to marry, and stay in the Philippines forever.

You might have seen it on social media, the teenage girl in her twenties meme. It's a revival of everything we've ever loved growing up as girls together. It's a nice thing, this reclamation of girlhood. An attempt to somehow heal our inner children and reminisce on the times when we were only imagining what it would be like to be an adult. The mythical womanhood. A real 13 going on 30 dilemma. I wish we weren't in such a rush to grow up, but that's the irony of it all. As a grown woman, I often wonder about the girl I was, because despite all this I know I will never be her again.

She was ambitious, naive, too nice, but also a little arrogant it intimidated a lot of people with whom she could have been really good friends. I try to think fondly of the girl I was, and I honor her by preserving some of her interests that will never really go away, even now. I remember every young adult series I was ever obsessed with, alongside the sitcoms with each season I had saved on my netbook. I used to make physical mix CDs and now I curate Spotify playlists. I still get a little excited when a One Direction song plays out of the blue. I hear an indie song from years ago, like now as I type this while Cigarette Daydreams by Cage the Elephant is playing, and wish I could hear it for the first time again. I see old Facebook posts made by teenage me and chuckle at her drama. I unironically consume the Twilight Saga media when I feel a little sad, no matter how cringy people make it out to be. I love pink, books, letters, and stickers. I know every High School Musical song by heart. I have a weirdly specific knowledge of R&B and Hip-hop songs inherited from my brothers. I pray the same prayer at night, the one taught by my parents when I still shared a bedroom with them until I was fifteen.

A little confession: sometimes, despite loving the fact that I am wildly independent, I still miss having my mother around; even if it means having the occasional petty fights. Along with the tiny resentments of never fully living up to the image in her head, failing some of the dreams she also had as a girl, and rejecting the projection. I'm the most stubborn person I know, but sometimes I wish I could crawl under her table at her old office as I did so many times before, and cry before taking that nap I so vehemently refused but always took.

I look at old photos of myself as a teen and wish I was kinder to that girl, so I could unlearn the mean things I think about myself on occasion. One night on a casual doomscroll on Twitter, I read something along the lines of us seeing different versions of ourselves over the years and yearning for those times, how we never fully appreciate the current version until they become another face in a photo from years ago. A memory you didn't know you'd create.

I think about the people I had in my life then: friends, mentors, crushes, classmates, crappy boyfriends (ugh), and want to forgive her for the poor life decisions. She was forgiving to a fault after all, but she still makes me so proud when I remember how she learned her boundaries and stuck with them in the most crucial moments. The ones who were meant to stay are still with me to this day, the others who left have also left their mark on this version of me now, in some way. Some people have already arrived and others I'm looking forward to meeting soon. The growing pains feel especially potent as I continue to learn that change is constant and that sometimes who or what I want isn't necessarily good for me. The universe makes it known too often; I have to learn it by heart at some point.

Ultimately, I'd like to think she'd be so proud of me. Maybe, I turned out better than she hoped. I could also be such a stranger to her, a disappointment; her preparation for the real world. I still have a lot of work to do before I'm the adult she would have trusted and aspired to be, but knowing I'm on that path makes me confident that I can handle my problems like a grown-up. Being in my early twenties is to straddle the line between too young and too old, wanting to always do the mature thing, but sometimes still feeling like I'm a kid playing the role of someone who has it together. I don't. I don't think anyone does, really, not even older adults I know with much more interesting stories and problems. I try not to control everything and let things be because sometimes it's the only thing to do. Plans do fail, but somehow, things always work out for the better.

When I think of that transition from being just a girl to an adult with actual consequences, I remember Rory Gilmore crying in front of her grandfather at the end of Gilmore girls season 5; when she realized that she was no longer the golden child she was, but a young adult that might not be good enough for all of her aspirations.

I think about such tender moments of my girlhood, all the times I was teased for being chubby or having curly, unruly hair that earned me nicknames like Lion King or Hagrid. The first time I ever wore eyeliner to a family Christmas party, an uncle commented with such disdain, thinking I was doing it for attention. I'm weirdly familiar with terms like "malandi" or its English variations, even when I was just being friendly. In my first high school relationship, people gossiped about how my then-boyfriend was only with me so he could get higher grades, not for my looks. I know how they talked about a relationship they knew nothing about, completely overlooking how much I was hurt by this boy they adored just because he played some sport. I remember being a teenager, learning what it means to be attracted to another person romantically, and having a relative tell my mom, "Marielle's so into boys, ano?" even when I was single at the time and didn't really care for anything but starting college. There were weird older men who were creeps, and yet somehow I was made out to be some kind of a mastermind that lured them in. I was just a girl.

The beauty and innocence of girlhood are also marred by these moments of misogyny, sadly looking like a rite of passage every girl I know has gone through--one way or another.

At 16, all the pain I felt then felt like the rest of my life. A few days shy of 24, I realize that some pains are just too great that they will always stay, faintly, but life is so ridiculously unpredictable that there is no way we'll live on without incredible moments to show for it.

I look back on the year I just had in disbelief because so much has happened, most of them completely unexpected while others were dreams I worked hard to make my reality. I finished my undergraduate thesis on Filipino food and restaurants in the Filipino-American diaspora and graduated Magna Cum Laude from UP Diliman. I was in love with someone who I thought fit me so perfectly and felt the full aftermath of that heartbreak, lamented the impossibility of long-distance relationships, and believed I'd never do better; only to discover more about myself in the next few months and move on to a more beautiful love I never thought possible. I got into the 61st Silliman University National Writers Workshop, on my first (and could have been last, because I didn't know then when I'd be back in the PH) try, and spent two magical weeks in Dumaguete learning more about writing with the most amazing group of writers I now consider another chosen family.

I also outgrew some close friends. I had to process this unworldly form of devastation by going through all the stages of grief a million times over. I've reflected on what I can do better to nurture my relationships, and grown more appreciative of the unconditional friendships I have that continue to withstand time. I kept learning Spanish for two years and moved to Spain to explore more opportunities. It's been one of the most interesting years of my life so far, the emotions rising and falling like waves that sometimes consumed me whole. I've been through so much in year 23 that I'm both thrilled and horrified for the big 24, a year away from my expected quarter-life crisis.

I've always loved birthdays, by the way, and maybe I'll move on from it the older I get. I always look forward to the sweet messages and spending time with my friends and family. I like welcoming another year as an opportunity for me to try and do better. For this year, though, I don't have solid plans. It's on a Monday and I have classes to teach until 2:30pm. I reserved a cake with flowers all around it and a dedication written in Spanish, something the lady at the bakery wrote for me. I might take a few pictures with my film camera, invite some work colleagues for drinks, and cook Filipino spaghetti the way my mom does it. Maybe I'll call her, think of the ending to the movie, Lady Bird (2017). I could take the bus to the city center or enjoy a nice dinner alone with my Kindle. I might take calls from my friends and cry over their messages, miss everyone a little deeper.

I'll never be the girl I was, but she's still inside me somewhere. There's comfort in the growth. How to Say Goodbye by Paul Tiernan is playing through my laptop speakers. Someday, I'll look back to this time and remember what it felt like to anticipate my 24th birthday in Spain: a little lonely, slightly thrilling, and inevitably different.

I'll be changed, but not really--and it will be okay.

[alaturkanews]

Spanish equality minister to pay €18,000 after accusing man of abuse without proof

Spain’s Equality Minister has been ordered to pay €18,000 after portraying a man as an “abuser” during a public speech. Irene Montero was sued by Rafael Marcos, the ex-husband of María Sevilla, the former president of Infancia Libre, an association helping mothers who suffered abuse. Back in 2019, Sevilla abducted her son and lived with him in a rural area, where he received neither schooling nor…

[umichenginabroad]

Burn it. Did I say stand there and look stupid? No. I said BURN IT.

* for everyone that doesn’t know what the title is, its a tiktok haha

Las Fallas. Ridiculous. Actually had no idea what to expect and was not prepared at all. I'll try to set the scene:

For some context, Las Fallas is a festival in Valencia on the last Sunday in February to commemorate Saint Joseph. It is a week-long event to celebrate each neighborhood's year-long work of making a construction called a 'falla,' which consists of several 'ninots' (a Valencian word for puppets). On the last Sunday of February, 'La Crema' occurs, where each of these fallas are burned. A year's worth of work burned!! I learned about the event in my Spanish culture class and was hyped up by a bunch of Spaniards who apparently all love to go to Valencia during this time. 

I also booked this trip two days before on a whim. It was organized with this event planning group that partners with the school and was 40 euros for the bus ride there and back. 

Storytime: 

We leave the buses at 9 am and get off at 1:30 pm. The drivers announce that La Mascleta is happening at 2. We don't know what that is. But it's a 20 min walk. And so we should run. By the way, I've just woken up, so I'm very disoriented already. We are speedwalking to this plaza when we finally run into the crowd. The clock hits 2. We are around the corner from the plaza and can't fully see it. Then the loudest 'boom' sounds start going off, and smoke starts filling the air. 

Anyways, we found out this celebration called 'La Mascleta' happens every day during Las Fallas at 2 pm, where they set off fireworks and smoke at the town hall plaza. Look up pictures- it's ridiculous.

After La Mascleta, we get breakfast and start walking around the city, looking at the beautiful fallas every few blocks. The detail in these sculptures is just incredible, and many of them are satirical in nature as well. 

We head next to the parade. We are lined up on the street, waiting around the corner of the start. A small drum line emerges, and we are a bit underwhelmed, thinking, 'this is it?'. Then we hear what sounds like an ambulance. People start running around the corner in devil costumes with fireworks strapped to their heads, moving in a circular motion and spraying into the crowd. Honestly, I have no idea how this was legal or safe, but it was crazy. 

I would describe the burnings of a couple of other fallas, but the one you need to hear about is the 'Big Falla':

Finally, the Big Falla. We are in the plaza across from the falla, and the clock hits 11. For a second time paused, and it didn't seem like the celebration was starting. Then an incredible fireworks display started, and we knew the time was coming. After one of the best fireworks shows I've seen in a while, everything goes dark. Then the fireworks spark around the Big Falla, and the crowd goes CRAZY. The Big Falla lights up with fire. It was kind of scary how suddenly the fire began and how ridiculously big it was. I could literally feel the heat standing so far away, so I couldn't imagine how hot it must have been for the people in the front. 

After the fire ended and the firefighters doused it, people started singing the anthem and celebrating. We pushed our way out of the crowd and headed back to our buses after a quick pit stop at Mcdonald's. 

Of course, 450 kids after 12 hours of celebrating was not going to be organized, and we barely made it on our bus after everyone mobbed them. We left around 2 am and got back at 6:30 after a long ride of someone snoring behind me and the AC blasting at full strength. 

I've never experienced as much chaos in a short amount of time. It feels like a fever dream, and I still need to sleep some off, but wow. What an experience. 

See you next week with Rania 2.0 (aka Priya, my sister, haha) and me in Granada and Sevilla!

Rania Uppal

Computer Science

UP Comillas - Madrid Spain

[mytimeasanaux]

An Auxiliar of Conversation in Chipiona, Spain.

My time in Spain has been amazing. I only wish I could stay longer for more years but unfortunately, do to familial issues, I have to return to the United States.

I work as Auxiliar de Conversacion for the NALCAP program. I work at Colegio Publico Principe Felipe and have had an experience far greater than I had hoped. My teachers and administrative staff were extremely helpful in my transition to the school and have had a lot of patience for my spanish, as I am learning proper grammar and new vocabulary.

The first week, I was super overwhlemed from just moving across the world. However, my teachers were receptive and kind to me during my mini breakdown at school and I am very greatful for their kindness and warmth. They always answered any questions I had about doctors in the area, to bank information, to payment, to best places to visit during the breaks, and often invited me out for lunch or other celebrations with them, and sometimes paid for my meals. They have a special place in my heart and I hope to stay in contact with them after I depart.

The students have also been great. I have to admit. Before I started the position, teaching children sounded scary, as I was questioning how do i make this experience interesting and fun for them. Especially since I remembered how bored I could be during class in my youth and wished for more interesting things. At first, I did struggle trying to get the attention of the children, however, the children of Spain are much nicer, more polite, and more helpful to each other and myself in comparison to my experience with American children. Which was a culture shock to me. They are bright, eager to learn, and I often find them teaching me things about spanish, spain, and pop culture things, like Shakira´s song about her ex.

As far as the town, the people are also very kind and have been helpful in my transition to the spanish lifestyle, as well. The town is on the smaller beach town vibes but is quite busy with acitivities and people during the spring and summer because many people have beach homes here from Sevilla. I´ve enjoyed the peacefulness during the winter and am excited for the spring and summer here, as the beach and water is some of the best in spain! There are activities to do during the year such as Carnival, Semana de Santa, and other festivals specific to the town. The city is walkable, however, if I knew how to ride a bike, I would like one or a scooter on days I don´t feel like walking but the area is enjoyable to walk through nonetheless. There are things like the lighthouse, Rocio Jurado museum, wine tastings, among other things to do in the area, outside of beach days.

Also, there are other bigger towns and cities nearby for tourism that´s really cool to visit and very cheap as for public transportation compared to the USA. Things like buses, blabla car, and other things.

lastlily, the food has been the biggest culture shock. everything is so fresh and good. I have not tasted real food until I came here. oddly, all of my allergies that I had in the USA doesnt exist in spain. I can eat lactose, gluten, alcohol, and beef without any digestion issues, reactions, nor bloating, and my skin cleared up significantly. So, I am a bit sad to return to the states regarding this specificially.

In the end, I highly recommend this town and this school, as I have thoroughly enjoyed my coworkers and students.

I love you, Spain. Thank you for opening my eyes to the lifestyle I hope other countries adapt for the comfortablility and quality of life that every human being deserves to experience.

[internationalhousespain-blog]

[milawritesstuff]

Hi first off I love your writing and second I was wondering if you could pretty please write a image of Gavi where he and reader became teen parents at 16 to a little girl and no one knew about her but family and close friends because Gavi and reader wanted to keep her out of the public eye once Gavi started to become more famous but it’s her birthday and she is turning 2 and on her birthday Gavi had a game and reader and baby girl went to his game like always but before the game him and reader decided that if he made a goal that he would be able to dedicate it to her so he was excited about the game and he made a goal obviously and for his celebration he but the ball under his shirt and put up 2 fingers for her age??

A/N: this one is so cute!

Warnings: ⚠️ none

…

They all wanted to know who the golden boy was dating. What they didn’t know was that he and you had been together since you were fourteen. You and Gavi had met when his family had moved to Barcelona. Within a year your families had become extremely close and your parents were left to oversee him as his family returned to Sevilla and Gavi stayed in Barcelona.

You spent any free time he had together. Eventually as you grew up you became a couple. And as some would say, unfortunately, when you were sixteen became parents. The day you found out is as clear as day even now that a few years have passed.

You and Gavi locked in your bedroom as you waited for the test to reveal what your future would look like. Gavi pacing around wondering why he hadn’t been more careful.

-If you are pregnant I’ll leave La Masia tomorrow and find a job. Don’t worry.

You looked over at your boyfriend and rolled your eyes. -Getting on the Barça first team will make you more money than any job you can find Pablo. You’re not leaving your dreams for me.

He walked over closer to you and hugged you. -I love you Y/N. No matter what.

A few minutes later you laid on the bathroom floor as you held the positive pregnancy test. Gavi next to you with his hands around his head. Tears down your eyes. He turned to you.

-Look at me.

You turned your attention to him trying to hold in your tears.

-It’s you and me okay? And now the baby. Against the world. I will always love you, no matter what.

You smiled as he leaned in and gave you a soft kiss on your lips.

The following days were hectic to say the least. Your parents couldn’t believe they had let something like that happen and Gavi’s parents arrived a day later from Sevilla. They apologized but in reality it wasn’t their fault or your parents’.

As the days went by everyone calmed down and it was as if they had become used to the idea. A few months later your little girl was born, Lucia.

You and Gavi did everything to make it work. He helped care for Lucia while you went to school and your parents helped the two of you while Gavi had to be at practice.

Now, two years later Gavi was playing with Barça’s first team. He had gone to the World Cup with the Spanish national team and he had won the golden boy award. But nobody knew about you or Lucia.

-I guess Lucia and I can wait for you nearby after today’s practice. - you said as Gavi got ready for practice. He nodded his head and added -That works, and after we can go buy Lucia’s dress for her birthday.-

You packed Lucia’s bag and Gavi could tell something wasn’t right. -What’s wrong, amor?-

-I don’t know how long we will be able to hide Lucia or myself. The other day the people waiting outside of practice almost saw us go into the same taxi as you.- you explained.

Gavi picked up Lucia who was standing next to him and walked over to you. -Who says we have to keep on hiding it?-

You looked up at him. -They won’t like it. You know they are even pinning you with the princess.-

-But I already have my princess.- he looked at Lucia. -And my queen.- he leaned in and placed a small kiss on your forehead.

-I don’t see why we should continue to hide it. They should just care about how I do in the team. You or Lucia have nothing to do with it.-

You smiled. -Whatever you decide, Gavi. Remember, I’ll always love you, no matter what.-

The next few days were full of preparation for Lucia’s second birthday. Gavi was over the moon because he thought this would be the first birthday Lucia would remember. He wanted everything to be perfect.

The day before Lucia’s birthday Gavi came home late from practice.

-Y/N!-

-What’s going on?- you asked.

-If I score tomorrow, I want to let everyone know about Lucia. And you.-

You looked at him taken aback. -Are you sure about this Pablo?- he nodded and smiled.

The next day at the match you sat in the same bleachers you always had along with Lucia. The fans had always thought you were some sort of season ticket holder at Camp Nou because they had never seen you with any player. But the two of you never missed a game with Gavi’s jerseys on.

To your surprise that afternoon when you and Lucia had arrived to Camp Nou one of Xavi’s assistants had given you a small bag saying it was Xavi’s gift for Lucia. When you opened it you realized it was a Barça jersey with Gavi’s number but instead of his name it says Papi, it was for Lucia.

The game started off pretty slow but eventually things got heated. Like always the older players loved to mess around with Gavi and he would become upset. Halfway through the second half Gavi got a yellow card and you knew he would soon be subbed out to avoid risking him being out for several games. You knew how devastated he would be if he didn’t get to score for your girl.

Seconds later you saw as Ferran passed the ball to Gavi who quickly took it up and managed to score. The whole stadium went wild. You and Lucia cheered. Gavi ran to the sideline and pointed up at the two of you. He took the ball and put it under his jersey which was common for players who were dedicating the goals to their pregnant wife’s or children. But Gavi took it one step further and put up two fingers in celebration of Lucia’s second birthday. He placed the ball down and then made your initial with his hands.

The crowd went wild. They all looked up at where you and Lucia were which had been where Gavi had pointed to.

Gavi ended up winning man of the match. When he got up for interviews everyone had questions about his celebration. He looked nervous up there. You knew how uncomfortable the limelight made him. He loved to play futbol but he hadn’t signed up for being famous.

-What was that celebration about? Is a friend pregnant?- asked the press.

Gavi smiled.

-It’s my daughter Lucia’s second birthday today. I would appreciate everyone wishing her a happy birthday. And the initial, that was for my fiancé.-

The room went crazy with the reporters wanting to ask all sorts of questions. Gavi looked even more confused now. He wanted to run out of there.

As one reporter began to ask more questions, Gavi quickly interrupted her.

-That’s the most I’ll go into my personal life. Please respect my privacy. And Y/N remember… I’ll always love you, no matter what.-

[felipeandletizia]

Felipe and Letizia retrospective: September 21st

2004: Visit to Santiago de Compostela

2005: Inauguration of the 7th Spanish Congress of Political Science and Administration

2006: Concert to Benefit Queen Sofia’s Foundation’s Alzheimer’s Project

2009: Received the Spanish Basketball team, winner of the EuroBasket 2009 in Poland

2010: Lunch on the occasion of the “Iberoamerica Invests” conference, organized by the Ibero-American General Secretariat

2012: Audiences at la Zarzuela

2015: Opened the new school year at Marqués de Santillana school in Palencia

2017: Audience at la Zarzuela & 15th anniversary of Vocento

2018: King Felipe visited the Morón Air Base in Sevilla (1, 2)

2020: Video congratulating the UN on its 75th anniversary.

2021: Commemorative event of the 30th anniversary of the Economic and Social Council (CES) & Closing ceremony of the 13th annual call for “Banco Santander Social Projects”.

F&L Through the Years: 833/??

[markets]

angiemarkets i am a fluent spanish speaker and i decided to take spanish 3 honors last year for an easy a and i got a c- even though i submitted all the homework and studied for hours for all the tests.... im retaking the class next year bc i need above a b- for my honors diploma and the teacher literally crawled out of the 5368th circle of hell i hate her so much do u have any advice

NOOO WHAT ANON THATS AWFUL☹️☹️ maybe u got my spanish teacher from last year anyway i unfortunately do not have much general spanish advice bc its never been very difficult at my school and since ur fluent i cant just be like "Listen to spanish music😊" but for any language class study the verb tenses like CRAZYYYY i know it sucks and idk if it applies bc ur fluent but that is what has tripped me up in italian the most so if you ever study any language MAKE FLASH CARDS USE DUOLINGO WHATEVER ITS ALL MEMORIZATION AND KNOWING THEM WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE another thing that maybe doesnt apply to you but is good to take to heart for any language class is honestly what i said before listen to music in the language look at content in it online try to read one or two articles in it a week find people to speak it with. if its like reading stuff thats bad honestly just get a pdf in english and read it whenever youre short on time/dk if you understand it, in many cases this is the antithesis to the all the other language learning tips i just gave but it saved my ass when i was reading lazarillo de tormes and burlador de sevilla which is a liiiiittle embarrassing but whatever anything for the a!!!!!!!!! um if its grammar stuff like i said verb tenses are your worst enemy but keep your friends close and your enemies closer or whatever and its rlly easy to get points taken off in tests with tildes and stuff and the rules for that are rlly easy im assuming u know them already cuz ur fluent but jic ur like speaking fluent and not reading fluent yk. if you need any specific help ill probably be better at giving that butfor nowOh shit my mom is yelling at me good luck anon i love u by e

[spanishskulduggery]

I realized I've never done the "D as in dog" clarification in spanish before, and last night my brain opted for "D como daño", which probably says something about me... Anyways, do you know what these are called, and what the "standard" ones are in spanish?

So I don't think there's a standard one in Spanish. There are multiple answers you could give, but many use proper names or names of cities.

As far as I know this is called el alfabeto por palabras "alphabet by words" or el abecedario telefónico "telephone alphabet"; and it's different in different places

Even in English I hear different ones, except I usually hear "B as in boy", "V as in Victor", "Z as in Zebra", "M as in Mary", "N as in Nancy", etc etc I know that's not in order, don't at me but for the other words it's kind of up in the air

-

Ones that I've heard or seen - often based on cities or countries!

(PLEASE KNOW THIS IS NOT STANDARDIZED I DON'T THINK A STANDARD VERSION EXISTS IN SPANISH?)

A de Alicante / A de Antonio / A de Argentina / A de Alemania [Germany]

Be de Barcelona

C de Colombia / C de Cádiz

D de Dinamarca [Denmark]

E de España [Spain]

F de Francia [France]

G de Guatemala / G de Granada

H de Historia [history] / H de Hada [fairy] / H de Hambre [hunger]

I de India / I de Inés / I de Italia [Italy]

J de José / J de Jerusalén [Jerusalem] / J de Japón [Japan]

K de Kilo

L de Lorenzo

M de Madrid / M de Marco / M de México

N de Navarra / N de Nicaragua

Ñ de Ñoño [wimp] / Ñ de Ñu [wildebeest]

O de Oviedo / O de Oso [bear]

P de París / P de Portugal / P de Perú

Q de Queso [cheese]

R de Roma [Rome]

S de Sábado [Saturday] / S de Sevilla

T de Toledo / T de Tomás

U de Uruguay

V de Valencia / V de Victoria [victory, or the name] / V de Venezuela

W de Washington

X de Xilófono [xylophone]

Y de Yugoslavia

Z de Zorro [fox] / Z de Zaragoza

And I'm not sure if I've heard the one for LL. It was always doble ele or ele doble. I personally would probably say LL de lluvia but it does make sense when you're spelling something to say two Ls

Oh, also CH is not its own letter now, but I believe I was taught CH de chocolate or CH de Chile

Please know that my experiences are based primarily on European Spanish, so I'm not sure what they might say in other countries

Also I'm just assuming y'all know how to pronounce the letters in the alphabet which you might not so I would recommend looking up the alphabet in Spanish on youtube and hearing someone pronounce the letters

Also RR is called doble ere usually, it's typically said or written like that. RR never begins a word so it's always considered a special case and doesn't have its own letter in that kind of alphabet. I think I was taught RR de carro (?) but told it’s not its own letter exactly(?)

-

Also there's B and V which have different names depending on where you are. B and V have a similar sound when pronounced in Spanish in many words, so there are

You might hear B alta/larga or V baja/corta/chica where it's "big/long B" and "short/small V"

We were also taught B de burro "B as in donkey", and V de vaca "V as in cow"

Btw when I was in school our teacher gave us flashcards that had the letters and some things that were definitely for little kids but it was something like:

A de árbol [tree]

B de burro [donkey]

C de casa [house]

CH de chocolate

D de dedo [finger]

E de elefante [elephant]

F de flor [flower]

G de gato [cat]

H de hielo [ice] / H de hamburguesa [hamburger]

I latina / I de iglesia [church]

J de jirafa [giraffe] / J de José

K de kiwi

L de león [lion]

LL de lluvia [rain]

M de mariposa [butterfly]

N de naranja [orange]

Ñ de ñu [wildebeest] / Ñ de ñandú [idk how to describe it, it looks like an ostrich but it's not an ostrich exactly? It's called a "rhea" in English]

O de oveja [sheep]

P de princesa [princess]

Q de queso [cheese]

R de rana [frog]

S de serpiente [snake]

T de tomate [tomato]

U de uva [grape]

V de vaca [cow]

W de Washington

X de xilófono [xylophone]

Y de yoyo

Z de zapato [shoe]

And you know it's old when CH is still included because CH and LL haven't been considered their own letters since 2010. I still think they're important, but they're not considered letters in and of themselves

-

The other ones that you might hear are i latina and y griega which I included above. Literally this is "Latin I" and "Greek Y" because i and y have the same sound when pronounced in the alphabet like that, and Y is said to be Greek while I comes from the Latin letters

Occasionally though you will see la Y pronounced as la ye

And finally, LL is sometimes included in alphabets and sometimes not. In the abecedario it's typically la elle which is pronounced with the LL sound; but you might also see ele doble which is "double L"

-

If anyone has any other examples or things they were taught, please let me know! I'd be curious to see if there are any differences

[sunnysviolin]

Kel and Aubrey going around interacting with people to learn about the different cultures everywhere as they travel, wearing cultural outfits, participating in cultural activities, just having an overall good time...

Would they be good at any cultural dances? Since they're traveling to Spain first, I can just imagine Aubrey in a flamenco dress with Kel as they just dance together and enjoy themselves (or maybe Kel wearing the dress- or maybe both of them wearing dresses-)

...I kinda wanna draw them dancing around together now.

-from a videogame-world traveling anon

nonnie.....nonnie wait....if you drew something we created together I would be SO EMO WAIT!!! No oh my god like my brain literally just exploded like art?? ART??? I wanna be able to draw so bad...but I can’t I just gotta continue on w my lil writing bits....here take some more writing bits nonnie

*Singing to myself* This got lonnng againnnn I’m putting itttt under a readdd moreeeee

Kel’s parents are....less than pleased to find out their son isn’t directly going to college like Hero did, and they make that known. 

They don’t approve of his choice to take at least one gap year. They don’t approve of him not continuing his education. They don’t approve of him throwing away his life for that bad girl that spent so many years terrorizing him. Even two years after changing her ways, Aubrey is still regarded as a nuisance among the town old timers. Kel’s parents tell him plainly that they don’t approve of Aubrey, and they won’t be changing their mind. 

Which leads to Kel having a minor breakdown and finally admitting what he’s known his whole life- that he will never be good enough to measure up to Hero, and he’s finally tired of trying to be someone he’s not. He isn’t Hero and he never will be, but for once he wants being Kel to be good enough. 

Seeing their bright positive middle child finally crack under the weight they’ve been unintentionally laying on him is...it’s painful. Kel’s parents never meant to make it a competition between their sons, they just wanted what was best for both of them. 

Having Kel sobbing at their dining room table at 3:00 am on the night of his high school graduation teaches them that they might not know what’s best for Kel after all. 

So...yeah the talk the morning after that is filled with a lot of awkward pausing. Kel isn’t used to sharing his true feelings, and he isn’t used to exposing anything other than cheerful hope. Ultimately they come to an agreement. Kel can go with Aubrey, follow her and his heart on their crazy plan, but he has to spend the year before they leave working and earning and not just hanging around the house

That was Kel’s plan anyway, so he’s ecstatic. He calls Aubrey immediately after, and she comes over so they can plan things out together

That year before they leave is definitely not easy. They’re working multiple retail and menial labor jobs, spending 12-15 hours a day on their feet in steamy kitchens, being screamed at by rude customers, and delivering so. many. pizzas. 

At some point in that year Aubrey and her mother have the inevitable fight that has been coming her whole life, and her mother kicks her out. Aubrey shows up in the middle of the night with her things next to her. Kel’s mother welcomes her inside and gets her a cup of tea. Kel wakes up and comes downstairs the next day to see his partner curled up asleep on the couch under a blanket his mother had just finished knitting

His mother doesn’t explain anything (”It’s her story dear not mine”) but after Aubrey comes to stay with them his parents warm to her quickly. Aubrey and Kel are allowed to share the room that Hero and he once shared, but they’re adamant that the beds stay on opposite sides

((He and Aubrey fit cramped but happy into his twin bed every night, but she always wakes up early to switch beds in order to be respectful to his parents wishes)) 

Soon enough its the afternoon before their journey is beginning (They decided to redeye to Sevilla). They have hostel confirmation numbers for a dozen different European countries, a thick binder of plans and itineraries, and a joint account that has a surprising amount of money in it. 

Turns out working 15 hours a day, taking only your eight paid vacation days, and having all of your dates be creative free dates in the five hours a week you both have off together means that you are able to acquire quite the nest egg. Kel’s parents sit them down at the dining room table, and his father is shocked to see how this year has shaped Kel. 

It’s a strange thing to see your son as an adult for the first time. It didn’t feel strange when it was Hero, he always expected it from Hero. Seeing it in Kel rocked him. 

They drive the two young adults (calling them kids now feels...wrong) to the airport and make them promise to call and write daily. 

There’s an undeniable energy and excitement as they board the plane. He and Aubrey breathe an audible sigh of relief. They shouldn’t, but they sleep on the plane. After a year of running, they’ve earned it

OKAY SO THAT WASN”T AT ALL WHAT YOU ASKED FOR....HERE HAVE DANCE LESSON HEADCANONS

Aubrey planned for everything, so she planned that they would need at least two days to recover when they finally got to Spain. The first two days are spent in a combo of sleeping and eating fantastic food and finally being able to spend a full night in bed together instea of sneaking unsuccessfully around Kel’s parents. 

She splurged and got them a private room at their first hostel in Sevilla. It was more expensive, but ultimately so very very worth it. 

But day three is when they start to explore. They finally venture off of the block around their hostel and began to deep dive into the tiny back paths of the city. They meet a nice handful of locals who invite them to breakfast the next morning (Kel’s spanish speaking skills are undeniably useful to them in this moment) 

And that night...that night is the beginning of the wish fulfillment she’s waited for since she was five years old. A flamenco lesson that promises an authentic experience, real outfits, and a party for all involved at the end. Aubrey was frugal with accomodations, but she spared no expense when it came to the experiences. Especially this one. 

Flamenco is traditionally a single dance with one woman, but she asked and Kel is allowed to come if he likes. The instructor in charge recognizes Aubrey from her call, and drags Kel over to where another man sits with a guitar. He and the man begin to converse in Spanish, and Kel seems to be rapidly making plans. He’s fine with only watching for tonight, this is her dream

Aubrey is thrust into a room with a bunch of other tourists, even a few from her own state, and a gaggle of women who work at the studio. They show her a row of gorgeous traditional dresses, an overwhelming rainbow of frills and explosions of color. 

Aubrey has let her hair go back to it’s natural color by this point, and her long dark locks catch the eye of one of the instructors who pulls her over to a corner of the rack of dresses. The instructor winks at her and pulls out a dress. It’s perfect. 

Kel is also having a fantastic time. He and the guitar player who’s name is Raphael are discussing guitar playing. Raphael wants to teach Kel to play himself so “He can play for his lady when she wants to dance for him again” 

All conversation stops when Aubrey walks out. 

The others are dolled up as well, but Kel only has eyes for his girl. Her dress is black, hugging to her waist and her body. As the ruffles of the dress begin on her arms and her legs, the dress goes from black to a striking bright red. Around her wrists and on her neck is bright gold jewlery, gleaming against her skin. 

Aubrey’s dark hair is wrapped up in a bun with a series of pink to red carnations following the curve of her hair. Her lips are tinged with maroon lipstick. 

Kel is left speechless. Aubrey asks him something and Kel just has to nod and try to catch his breath. The rest of the group giggle at their antics, and Aubrey rolls her eyes at him. She presses a kiss to his cheek, maroon imprint left in its wake, and then she is over with the other girls in front of the instructor. 

Raphael begins to play at the instructors insistence

The dance lesson is fun. Even just watching Kel has fun. Aubrey normally has a hardness in her eyes, a tightness in her shoulders as if she’s always waiting for the other shoe to drop. Within minutes of the instructors careful praise and guidance Aubrey is loose and even giggling. Kel hasn’t heard a sound like that from her since they were children. 

At the end the group performs the dance all together to a raucuous applause form Kel, Raphael, and the instructor. Then they all go to the patio behind the studio which has been decked out in warm golden lanterns with a table of food prepared. 

Raphael begins to play again and the others mingle close to the food. Aubrey takes Kels hand and they go to a separate corner of the dance floor. They don’t dance in any particular way, just holding one another and rocking to the melody. Her hair has begun to come out of it’s tight bun, but her eyes are bright with happiness and she can’t manage to stop smiling

That night under the glow of the lanterns is the night they first say they love each other. It was a given, they already knew it, but those words are saccharine sweet against their lips as Kel holds Aubrey close to him and they spin while the music plays. 

[187days]

Reflections On My Spain Trip

They say that after traveling one should sit with the experience for a bit before writing anything down, so- aside from tweeting about it a couple times- that’s what I’ve done. Now, though, it’s time to write...

I think it was a fantastic trip, overall. For me, it was a chance to return to a country I'd visited when I was in high school, to share my favorite things with my students, and also to see new things with them. For Mr. W, I think it was largely the same. And, for the students, it was just a massive experience. They’re small town kids. Most of them had ever been to foreign countries before, and none of them were really used to traveling in cities. But they all embraced the adventure wholeheartedly; they took in all the opportunities to learn, they tried everything, they spoke in Spanish... I’m very proud of them for that.

We flew into Malaga, a beautiful beach town on the Mediterranean with perfect weather (at least while we were there). It’s a slow-paced place, and we were free to wander around, hang out at the beach, listen to live music, etc... until dinner that evening. That’s when we met our tour guide, Laura, and the other two groups we would be traveling with. Unfortunately, our students didn’t really gel with the others (ours were a little older, more capable of speaking Spanish, and- how do I put this?- markedly less privileged), but they didn’t really mind. And Mr. W and I did get on well with two of the other teachers, which was nice. 

In the morning we traveled from Malaga to Granada to see La Alhambra, which I was super excited about because I’d never seen it before. I think that was one of our students’ favorite sites, too, because it’s so stunning. We had a great tour guide, as well. She was really good at explaining things in an engaging way. Lunch in Granada was also amazing; we were seated on the rooftop of this cool little restaurant that made awesome tortilla espanola (I assume they made awesome everything, but that’s what I ate). 

That evening we headed to Sevilla, which is one of my favorite cities. The other two groups opted to do a river cruise thing after dinner, but we decided to stay on land and have a wander. One of our boys, amusingly, found a Dunkin Donuts and ran in to see if it was any different from the ones here, but otherwise we stayed away from American things. The only bad bit: I discovered that in the summer (I’d only ever been there in the winter), Sevilla is full of horse-drawn carriages. For those of you who haven’t been following along at home, I have a severe allergy to horses (the kind I need an epi pen for), so I had to be pretty ninja in avoiding them. Bless my students for their patience, and for looking out for “los caballos” every time we went somewhere new.

I got really nervous the next day when we went to La Catedral de Sevilla and ALL the carriages were lined up right outside. Buuuut I had an allergy mask, Benadryl, and a guide who convinced the ticket folks to let me cut the line and get inside quickly. So, y’know, I managed. And I got to climb La Giralda again. That’s the old minaret that’s now the cathedral tower. In high school, me and one of my idiot friends actually ran to the top. It was too crowded- and I’m too old- for that this time, but the view was as amazing as I’d remembered it being.

After we climbed down, our group decided that we wanted to get away from the super touristy area around the cathedral (and away from los caballos!), so Laura took us on a search for awesome tapas. She asked random locals on the streets to give directions to their favorite places, and we did our best to hit all of them. The hands down best place, according to our students, was called La Gitana Loca. But there was also this gorgeous restaurant on some random side street- low lighting, artwork everywhere, and a flamenco stage that they let us climb on for pictures- that served us fabulous oxtail stew. That may not sound good, but IT IS. And the waiters were so nice! One of my students said that if we’d been at home, she’d have figured they were being nice to get a good tip, but there is no tipping in Spain, so they were genuinely being that nice to us. I said it’s because good travel manners go along way; we were speaking the language, appreciating the food (and the rest of the culture), behaving politely... All of that is important, and it has a big impact on one’s interactions. 

So that was a great lesson. 

From Sevilla, we travelled to Madrid, with a stop along the way in Cordoba to visit La Mezquita. Cordoba is a fun place to wander around- all narrow streets, white walled buildings, and little shops- and I think we all bought a lot of souvenirs there. I got my oldest nephew a chess set similar to one I’d gotten my brother back in high school; he gave his away to another friend of ours years ago- with my blessing- so I figured it would be a cool thing to get. 

After few hours on the bus- during which Mr. W and I chatted with Laura and our James Bond-y (so our students said) driver, Alfonso- we reached Madrid. This is my favorite city in the world; it’s a treasure trove of history and culture, the site of some of my best high school adventures, the home of my favorite soccer team (Real Madrid)... It’s always going to have part of my heart, you know? 

We arrived during Pride, and there was a metro strike (if you want a fun teaching moment, take kids who have never ridden a subway ever onto a jam-packed one in a foreign country), so it was crowded, chaotic, and totally awesome. The structured tour time was pretty cool; we went to the museums (I loved that way more than Mr. W because I love art and got to geek out about it to our students), the monuments, the palace- and it’s all beautiful. There was one day when we were exhausted because we’d stayed up super late eating junk food and playing games, so that made the pace feel a little rough. No regrets, though. And that night we had a really cool dinner at this place on the outskirts of the city that teaches Spanish cooking- the chefs had the students cook and serve all of us teachers- and we all perked up.

Our free time was the best because, with Pride going on, there were all these cool events everywhere. Our group actually got one whole day free (the other two groups went to Segovia), so went to Santiago Bernabeu so Mr. W and I could get our Real Madrid fix. Then we went into Plaza Mayor, and Mr. W and I found a table where would could sit, drink some tinto, and people watch while the students explored (with boundaries and using the buddy system) on their own. I think we all loved that.

We spent our final day in Toledo, which I only had vague memories of from my high school visit. I don’t know why it didn’t stick with me more because it’s amazing. Nothing else looks quite like the old city. I love, too, that inside the Cathedral’s sacristy there are a bunch of Greco paintings just kind of there. I think the students’ favorite part was the damascene workshop (I think it was Mr. W’s favorite, too, because he could buy knives there). I did remember that from my previous visit; I still have the damascene jewelry I bought back then. I bought some new bracelets, and an icon of La Virgen for my friend who is a priest. Then we had lunch near Puente de San Martin. The restaurant served us lamb and potatoes, and it was delicious. I think that’s my favorite meal. 

I did have some killer gazpacho back in Madrid that night, though, after a final wander around the city. There were mounted police out (there were lots of police in general, but, y’know, I’m not allergic to them if they’re not on horses), so I was a bit twitchy and irritable- and I’m sure I annoyed our students- at first. But we found a concert in Puerto de Acala, we danced, we laughed, and then we had that awesome dinner. So it was a good way to end our trip.

Wv flew home the next day, and went back to our little lives. I’ll close by saying again how proud I am of our students, and how happy I was that I was able communicate in Spanish myself. I hadn’t studied it since AP class my senior year of high school; the other chaperons had all studied the language in college- and Mr. W is a native speaker- so I was worried about my ability to keep up. It was difficult to follow conversations, at first, but after about half a day I acclimated. I probably said a few things incorrectly, and I know I spoke more slowly than anyone else did, but I did it. Woot.

[alpaca-writes]

Mystics, Chapter 10

When Arch becomes hired on at Mystics by Lyrem, everything seems to be going well- their life nearly becomes perfection. Soon enough, however, Arch realizes that perhaps not everything is as perfect as it seems….

Directory: [chapter one] [chapter two] [chapter three] [chapter four] [chapter five] [chapter six] [chapter seven] [chapter eight] [chapter nine]

Tag list: @myst-in-the-mirror

CW: misgendering of a nb character, creepy/intimate whump, psychological whump, shipwreck mention.

CHAPTER TEN: GEMINI PT II

        Charlotte would not hesitate to speak up when she found herself uncomfortable. Usually.

        Shortly after Arch had left for their meeting, Charlotte tidied around. She was left to clean up the discarded rompers around the living room and as she repacked on of the many clothing store bags she had brought home, there was a knock at the front door. She opened it, expecting a politician to be making their rounds or a band group from the high school to be asking for donations. Instead, she found Lyrem, smiling back at her with his unique charm. He was a bit red in the face, possibly from spending too much time in the sun.

        “What are you doing here?” She asked, already finding herself with a sickening feeling in her stomach from being near this unholy man.

        “Looking for Arch, of course,” he replied, “Are they around?”

        Charlotte paused, looking for any sign that the man might be joking with her.

        “No, Lyrem. They left a half hour ago to meet with you at Mystics,” She said unamused. “… Like you had asked them to.”

        Lyrem lifted a hand to his mouth, realizing something.

        “Oh dear. Oh dear…”

        “What?” Charlotte asked, becoming impatient.

        “Well, I had sent two messages,” Lyrem pulled out his phone, scrolling through their conversations. “One to say that there was a store meeting, and a second telling Arch that I would come by for a chat instead of-

        Oh… It seems that I had forgotten to send it.”

        Charlotte huffed, rolling her eyes at the old man. “Go find her then!”

        “Them.”

        “Oh, for goodness’ sakes, them.” She corrected. “You know I’m getting a little tired of you demanding so much out of them. Who runs a store downtown past nine o’clock on a Sunday evening, anyway?”

        “Someone who is desperate to stay out of a church I suppose.” Lyrem looked up from his phone. “There, I sent them a message to come back.”

        “What? Why? Go out and meet them. They’re probably downtown already!” Speaking sense to this old man was becoming more than a chore.

        “I would but to walk that far is not something I can manage anymore. Old bones, you know,” He smiled kindly at Charlotte. “Would you mind if I came in for a sit down?”

         Sit in your car, she thought.

        He was an old-fashioned sort, obviously craving human connection in the oddest of ways. What Arch saw in him as any sort of mentor, she would never understand. Reluctantly, she nodded, leading him through Arch’s sprawling makeshift bedroom and into the small kitchen where sunlight was still peeking through the trees by the window.

        “Would you like something to drink?”

        “A glass of water would be lovely.”

        Charlotte couldn’t help but smile patronizingly as she handed his glass to him. Tap water. He set it down on the table in front of him.

        “Would you like to hear a story while we wait for Arch to arrive?”

        Charlotte leaned against the refrigerator with arms folded. She cocked her head at him. She really didn’t care what he had to say or what stories he wanted to tell.

        “Sure,” she smiled.

        “Ah, wonderful. I love telling this one.

        The year was nineteen seventy-two. I had been travelling Europe for several weeks, however, for what particular reason I ventured out there for, I can no longer recall.” He cleared his throat, sipping the water from the glass on the table, taking his time. “I came upon a lovely town on the Grecian coastline. I had found a little place to stay there and enjoyed my time immensely with the local people. I stayed with a family who offered me a small room of their house for only a few pennies a night, and word eventually got around that I was looking for work in the area, seeing as I was too content living there to leave anytime soon. 

        It was one cloudy morning when a man woke me from a slumber; said that he had a job for me and would pay me quite well if I dared accomplish the task for him. He was in the delivery trade, you see; he would connect like-minded collectors and clients and deliver the items as a third-party investor that would keep both sides happy.”

        Charlotte had already lost all interest in the story, resorting to rub the bridge of her nose as she closed her eyes.

        “The package he had for me to deliver was none other than a statue of Perseus to be signed to a buyer on a remote island several knots out from shore. It was odd to me that he would not do the deed himself since it seemed simple enough, but alas I was not willing to miss my chance to collect on a decent paycheque.

        Out on the water, I followed his map. I took the necessary precautions, found my bearings, and yet being out there for an entire day I still could not find the island that this man had spoken of. It was marked clearly on his papers for me, and so I sailed throughout the sea until dusk, searching for it. In the evening of that fateful night, unwilling to turn back as I was quite stubborn; I had encountered a freak cyclone on the water. A fearsome storm that roiled in the abyss of the deepest parts of the sea. The wind and the rain blew so hard into the boat that it felt like I was being shot with thousands of miniscule ice pellets. I couldn’t see a damned thing out there. Water tornadoes threatened to capsize the boat more than once and left me to drown in the torrential depths of the Mediterranean.

        Then, I awoke, washed ashore the next morning. The man who had hired me to take the statue out stood over me as I opened my eyes on the rocks. I didn’t feel as though it was something I should have survived, and yet I did. Content with the job I had done for him he presented me with a large envelope containing over six hundred Drachma, and then he simply went on his way. At the time, it was a tremendous amount of money to me. If I could go back now, I think I would have demanded more for the risk it took to my life.”

        Charlotte rolled her eyes, thankful that the story had come to its end. But then she couldn’t help but wonder aloud.

        “What happened to the statue?”

        He lifted his gaze to her. “Hm. What about the statue, dear?” He asked.

        “Did it break? Did you lose it, and the boat in the storm?”

        He shook his head. “Oh no, no. The statue was delivered.”

        “You said you washed ashore after the storm”-

        “I had done what he had asked of me,” Lyrem explained, drinking more of the water down. “I came to accept that the statue was more valuable in the bottom of the sea, than on the surface of Earth. That must have been what the man also thought. That is what I believe of many things these days as well. Some things, some people, just belong under the ground.”

        Charlotte side-eyed him.

        “Right,” she said, checking the time on the oven. It had only been fifteen minutes.

        Lyrem checked his pocket watch. It was hidden away beneath his jacket, and he clicked it open checking it briefly before folding it away again. He made a humming sound. If Charlotte was familiar with the Spanish Guitar, she might have recognized the tune as Sevilla- Suite Espanola No. 3 as played by his favoured guitarist, Andrs Segov-

        “Where are the hell are they?” Charlotte walked across the small house, and peered out the front door, worriedly. “I don’t see her-them coming up the walk. They should be back by now.”

        “I’m sure they are being well taken care of,” Lyrem appeared behind her, causing her to jump in place and flip around.

        “But, I, myself, seem to also be running out of time.” Lyrem continued hauntingly, looking past the woman, over her shoulder.

        “Did you have something you needed to get back to?” Charlotte inquired. “I’m sure Arch can reschedule a meeting with you.”

        “Fortunately,” he sniffed, addressing her once again. “that won’t be necessary. I am exactly where I need to be at this moment.”

        With lowering brows, Charlotte backed up, keeping her hand on the doorknob.

        “What is wrong, Charlotte?” Lyrem tilted his head, in feigned concern.

        She couldn’t stop staring at him, frozen in place- wondering if she was being silly, acting crazy, or just reading all correct the signs that told her to run.

        She shook her head, heart pounding. He was merely standing there. Maybe a bit close for comfort, but he wasn’t threatening her. Not outright.

        “I- I don’t know…” She answered hesitantly. “But… I don’t think I want you anywhere near me… or my child.”

        “Arch will always be safe with me. Of that, I can assure you. As for you, though,” Lyrem admitted, caringly. “You won’t have to worry about me being anywhere near you, at all, ever again.”

        Charlotte was backed against the door now, turning the knob to the front door, intent on running out.

        “I mean it, Charlotte. You are far too disrespectful to be in my company. And I feel bad for Arch. How they put up with you for so long... well, that requires a modicum of patience that I have never once possessed. Never fear, my dear Charlotte. I am doing this for their sake. It really is better this way.” he explained. “That is why I plan to…”

        “’Plan to’ what?” Charlotte asked, fear rising in the tremors of her voice.

        “Well, I suppose you’ll see when you open the door,” he rushed his words, ushering her to leave as she wished to do.

        Charlotte bolted around. The front door opened to a pool of darkness. There was no light, no sound, no nothing. She had yet to step forward. She didn’t say a word and only stared into the beckoning void

        “Just remember to breathe,” she was advised in a whisper from behind.

        Then, Lyrem pressed a firm hand against her back. Into the darkness Charlotte was shoved forward, until she was utterly gone- swallowed up into the shadows where the light would never reach her.

        Lyrem closed the front door. The light from outside returned as he opened it again- the Labyrinth now missing. Cars drove on past, children rode their bikes, chickadees and jays cheeped in the bushes, and the breezes signaled early summer as the aspens trembled along the boulevard. It was the sound of life.

        Still, there was no Arch to be found. Not down the street. 

        Not yet. 

        A soft purr sounded by Lyrem’s feet, then he felt the warmth of a cat curling around his ankles. He looked down, and picked Maleficent up to hold her close until she was just beneath his chin. Her long gray fur tickled the side of his face.

        “Do you want to be a part of my family too?” He asked, looking down at her  sweetly. Maleficent purred on, as Lyrem’s index finger stroked the side of her cheek firmly. “I’m sure we can make room for you.”

[ritchiepage2001newaccount]

#HailCaesar #BirtherInChief #CorpMedia #Idiocracy #Oligarchs #MegaBanks vs #Union #Occupy #NoDAPL #BLM #SDF #DACA #MeToo #Humanity #DemExit

#WriteInBernie

Stop the aggressions against the Zapatistas! - Manifesto signed by Noam Chomsky, Boaventura De Sousa, Raúl Zibechi, Enzo Traverso, Gilberto López y Rivas and more.

Today those who defend the environment are slaughtered every day. At a time like the one that the planet lives in which the protection of those who defend it is required, the opposite happens. Those who have resisted this destruction by the powerful have not stopped saying NO, they have always done so, although the current administration does not want to have memory.

The murder in the community of Amilcingo, Morelos of Samir Flores, a member of the resistance against the Comprehensive Plan Morelos, its gas pipeline and thermoelectric plants that put the life and territory of Nahua communities in Puebla and Morelos at risk; the massacre of 15 Ikoot indigenous people in San Mateo del Mar, Oaxaca, one of the regions that has opposed the Trans-isthmian Corridor projects; the growing paramilitary violence in Chiapas, with 56 attacks in the municipality of Aldama alone, and the kidnapping in February of members of the National Indigenous Council (CNI) of the municipality of Chenalhó are proof that the war continues.

Now the violence is becoming more and more explicit against the Zapatista communities. The growth of the activity of paramilitary groups such as “Los Chinchulines” or the Regional Organization of Coffee Growers of Ocosingo (ORCAO), as well as the appearance of new groups, is exacerbating tension in the region. The theft and burning of warehouses and houses of the Moisés Ghandi community, of the Autonomous Rebel Zapatista Municipality “Lucio Cabañas”, (in the official municipality of Ocosingo), show the increase in the intensity of the aggressions and provocations against the Zapatista Army of National Liberation. The EZLN has respected the ceasefire for years and has focused on strengthening its autonomous organizational processes with schools, clinics, and justice systems. It is serious that one of the ethical references of resistance and construction of concrete and viable alternatives for the planet continues to be under siege, and it is even more serious that the response of those who seek to “transform Mexico” is complicity or oblivion in the face of these extermination attempts. .

It is extremely worrying that this occurs in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, that there are those who seek to take advantage of the vulnerability in which everyone finds themselves to fuel their ambitions for money and power. It is more worrisome when those who are supposedly in charge of preventing such abuses allow and therefore favor them.

Beyond the erroneous or successful changes of the executive power, which shows this escalation of violence in indigenous areas, and the worsening of paramilitary attacks in the Zapatista territory in Chiapas, is the continuity of the racist, colonial and paternalistic vision of the governments. liberals and conservatives, left and right. Projects such as the Mayan Train show the idea of ​​bringing "development" to indigenous peoples by turning them into cheap labor and contributing only the folkloric image of the Mexican indigenous.

The violence and dispossession of indigenous territories that megaprojects such as the Trans-isthmian Corridor or the Mayan Train imply and require are the ethical breaking point of the current Mexican government, it is where the moral stature that President López Obrador has awarded in front of its predecessors begins to collapse.

Those of us who signed this letter are watching carefully what is happening in Mexico, what is happening in the Zapatista communities that for decades have been a benchmark for other ways of living, health, education, justice, politics. We will not allow the extermination of indigenous peoples with the recurring excuse of development.

International firms

Noam Chomsky (USA)

Saskia Sassen (USA)

Raúl Zibechi (Uruguay)

Marcos Roitman (Spanish State)

Oscar Olivera (Bolivia)

Hugo Blanco Galdos (Peru)

Boaventura De Sousa Santos (Portugal)

Michael Hardt (USA)

Yvon Le Bot (France)

Philippe Corcuff (France)

Jaime Pastor (Spanish State)

Manuel Garí Ramos. Economist. Member of Anticapitalistas (Spanish State)

Juan Wahren (Argentina)

Sabrina Melenotte (France)

Daniel Mato (Argentina)

John Gibler (USA)

José Angel Quintero Weir - Wainjirawa Indigenous Organization (Venezuela)

Roberto Ojeda Escalante (Cusco, Peru)

Pepe Mejía, journalist, social activist, Correspondent for Indigenous Struggle in Europe

Pierluigi Sullo (Italy)

Enzo Traverso (Italy)

Derly Constanza Cuetia Dagua (Nasa People, Colombia)

Vilma Rocío Almendra (Colombia)

Manuel Rozental (Colombia)

Raúl Camargo. Former deputy of Madrid. Spokesperson for Anticapitalistas (Spanish State)

Genaro Raboso Saelices. Unionist of Workers' Commissions (Spanish State)

Ana María Gordaliza Fernández. Psychoanalyst. (Spanish state)

Ana Barba. Pharmaceutical (Spanish State)

Marià Delás Briefcase. Journalist (Spanish State)

Lurdes Lucia. Editor Feminist. (Spanish state)

José Vicente Barcia. Ecologist (Spanish State)

Rocío Van Der Heide García. Anti-capitalists. Social worker (Spanish State)

Patri Amaya. Feminist. LGTBI Movement (Spanish State)

Fernando Cabrerizo. Multimedia Technician (Spanish State)

Pablo Pérez Garfonina. Member of Adelante Andalucía (Spanish State)

Ramon Gorriz Vitalla, union member of Workers' Commissions (Spanish State)

Roberto Montoya Batiz. Journalist (Spanish State)

Laura Lucía Pérez Ruano. Jurist. Teacher. Former deputy of Navarra (Spanish State)

Carmen San José Pérez. Family doctor. Unionist of the Assembly Movement of Health Workers (MATS) (Spanish State)

Juan Hernández Zubizarreta. College professor. Member of the Observatory of Multinationals of Latin America. (Spanish state)

Lorena Garrón Rincón. Councilor of the Cádiz City Council. (Spanish state)

Alicia López Hernando. Feminist Movement (Spanish State)

Ángela Aguilera Clavijo, deputy spokesperson of the Adelante Andalucía group in the Andalusian Parliament (Spanish State)

Demetrio Quirós. Councilor of the Cádiz City Council (Spanish State)

Jorge Riechmann Fernández. Professor at the Autonomous University of

Madrid and writer (Spanish State)

Mónica Rocha Medina, Bolivian Center for Popular Studies (Bolivia)

Huáscar Salazar Lohman, Bolivian Center for Popular Studies (Bolivia)

Patrick Silberstein (France)

Tomas Astelarra, journalist (Argentina)

Mexican firms

Paul Hersch Martinez

Alicia Castellanos Guerrero, UAM-I

Gilberto López y Rivas, INAH- Morelos

Juan Carlos Rulfo. Filmmaker. Mexico City.

Margara Millán, professor, UNAM

Fernanda Navarro

Paul Leduc

Magdalena Gomez

Francisco Barrios "El Cress"

Eduardo Almeida Acosta

Maria Eugenia Sánchez Díaz de Rivera

Graciela Mijares López

Alexander Varas

Volga De Pina, defender of Human Rights.

Marta De Cea. Cultural Promoter. Mexico

Mariana Mora, CIESAS CDMX and Red de Feminismos Descoloniales

Bruno Baronnet, Universidad Veracruzana

Isidoro Moreno. Emeritus Professor of Anthropology. Sevilla University. Andalusia

Francisco Morfin Otero. Instituto Superior Intercultural Ayuuk ISIA

Kathia Núñez Patiño Faculty of Social Sciences C-III. A CH

Richard Stahler-Sholk Eastern Michigan University, USA

Jean Robert Architect, Professor at La Salle University

Sylvia Marcos, Network of decolonial Feminisms, Professor at the Ibero-American University

Servando Gaja, Cinematographer

Inés Durán Matute, sociologist.

Mariana favela

Barbara Zamora

Susana Vázquez Vidal, PhD at CIESAS Occidente.

Orb Larisa

Antonio Sarmiento

Hector Zetina

Raúl Romero, sociologist, Mexico.

Raúl Gutiérrez Narváez, Intercultural Inductive Education Network and CIESAS, Chiapas

Sergio Tischler

Fernando Matamoros Ponce, Research Professor, Postgraduate in Sociology (ICSyH-BUAP)

Joaquín Osorio G. ITESO

Rubén Martin, freelance journalist, Guadalajara

Lucia Linsalata

Ana Maria Vera

Isis Samaniego-Poet

Bertha Melendez «Yuhcatla»

Maria Luisa Arroyo Rodriguez

Epifanio Flores and Manzola

Amparo Seville

J. Jesus Maria Serna Moreno

Sergio Hernández / Uci, Zautla, Puebla

Paulino Alvarado

Erika Sánchez Cruz, professor at BUAP

Irma Zentle Colotl, Social Economist

Wullfrano Ramírez, Dr. Artificial Intelligence

Mirna Valdés, Poet

Horacio Torres de Ita

Alejandra Jiménez, Rural Teacher

Ana Melissa Valenzuela, Educator

Zitlalli López Mendoza, Educator

Cristian Añorve, Student

Roxana Bolio

Jose Meza Rosas

Luis Saracho de María y Campos

Florina Mendoza Jimenez

Leonel Lopez

María de Lourdes Mejía, Mother of Carlos Sinuhé Cuevas Mejía

Angel Benhumea Salazar

Roberto Rodríguez Contreras "Cat"

Isabel Maldonado Hernandez

Omar Abrego Torres

Alfredo Velarde Saracho, professor at the Faculty of Economics

Ana Laura Suarez Lima

Azael Soriano Sanchez

Cecilia Zeledon

Diana Patricia González Ferreira, ICSYH Sociology Teacher

Organizations

Colectivo La Resistencia (Los Angeles, USA)

Solidarity with the Mexican people - Málaga (Spanish State)

Union Communiste libertaire (Marseille, France)

Union syndicale Solidaires, (France)

Vocesenlucha - Popular Communication (Spanish State)

Collectif Paris-Ayotzinapa (France)

Towns in Camino (Colombia)

Éditions Syllepse (France)

Network of Brotherhood and Solidarity with Colombia (Colombia)

International Commission of the People's Congress (Colombia)

Network Against Repression and for Solidarity (RvsR)

Human Rights Node (NODHO)

Errant Etcetera

Labor and Socialist Unity (UníoS!)

Union of Neighbors and Victims "September 19" (UVyd-19)

Community Communication Research Center A.C. (CICC A.C.)

Popular Indigenous Council of Oaxaca Ricardo Flores Magón (CIPO-RFM)

Indigenous and Popular Council of Guerrero - Emiliano Zapata (CIPOG-EZ)

Guardians and Guardians of the Metlapanapa River

Otomí Indigenous Community residing in CDMX

Support network for the CNI-CIG Ibero Puebla

Xalapa Resistance and Rebellion Network

2140/5000 Resistance and Rebellion Network in support of the CNI-CIG of the Port of Veracruz

La Otra Tuxtla Resistance and Rebellion Network

Network of Rebellion and Resistrenzas-Puebla

Metropolitan, Anticapitalist and Antipatriarchal Coordination with the CIG

Network of decolonial feminisms

Paper picnic area

Compas Arriba !, Xalapa, Veracruz.

Mexicali Resists

Binational Network of Women Who Fight

Nativitas Zacapan for the Defense of the Land and Water.

Radio Tlanixco

The Collective Against Torture and Impunity

Colectivo Feminista Cihuatlahtolli A.C.

The Voice of the Anahuac.

Autonomous Student Renovation Collective

Coordinator of Students and Collectives of the FD-UNAM

Zapatista Neza Collective, Café "Zapata Vive"

Radio Regeneration

UPREZ Benito Juárez

Collective Aequus.- Promotion and defense of Human Rights

Coordination of Relatives of Students Victims of Violence

Voices of the Wind

Poetry and Singing

Collective Las Sureñas in resistance and rebellion

Popular Free Media Laboratory

Stomping Free Media

Plantón for 43

La Ceiba Collective

Zapatista Pantitlán Health Brigade

Sector of Workers Adhering to the Sixth Declaration

Front of Workers for the Right to Health and Social Security

Women who Fight, Resist and Organize

Rebel Bazaar

Community Dentistry Collective Sowing Smiles

Otomí Autonomous School

Residents of the Honorable National Student House.

Community Radio Totopo de Juchitán, Istmo de Tehuantepec, Oaxaca

Green Tide High Mountains

Circle of Marxist Studies, Mexico City

The Other Juaritox

Collective ADA

Karuzo Cultural Forum

They are from the Máiz

Sixth Theater

El Torito Collective

Collective of Profes in the Sixth

Xochitlanezi Community

Tlanezi Calli Community

Compass Red

Zapatista Coffee Table of the UAM-Iztapalapa Below and to the Left of Building E

Gavilanas Collective

Collective Common Notebook

Iztapalapa Sexta Support Network

Colectivos del Sur Adherent to the Sixth

University of the Earth in Puebla (UnitierraPuebla)

Collective Utopia Puebla

The Zenzontle

House of the Peoples-Mexico

Autonomous Brigades of Mutual Support

[angies-adventures]

Preparing for Spain!

Hello! My name is Angie, and I am going to be a senior next year at UofSC. This summer, I am so excited to be studying abroad with the global classroom trip to Cádiz, Spain! We are a group of around 30 students who will be taking Spanish grammar and culture classes, living with host families, and exploring all that Spain has to offer!

Spanish is one of my majors, along with business, so this program will allow me to complete my degree requirements in the best way possible. I am extremely excited to live with a host family and practice my Spanish with locals. I have never really gotten a true immersion experience, even though I’ve been taking Spanish for 10 years! Sadly, my plans to spend a semester abroad in South America fell through because of COVID, so I am really grateful this trip is happening. I feel that I need this beyond the classroom experience to make the jump from my Spanish abilities in a classroom to being able to speak more fluently in real time. Spanish is my favorite subject, and I have dreamt about studying abroad long before college.

This will actually be my third time visiting Spain, although it is my first true immersive experience as I mentioned before and my longest stay. I went to Spain twice with my high school for a week each time (spring break trips), and I loved it! We went to many cities, including Madrid, Granada, Sevilla, Toledo, Segovia, Bilbao, Burgos, Barcelona, Pamplona, San Sebastian, and Costa del Sol. I am glad to be going to Cádiz because it is a new city to me, but I also feel that my past experiences in Spain have made me less nervous. I have also visited nine countries in total, so I am not super new to traveling internationally. However, this will be the most independent international trip I have ever taken, so I am a little wary about figuring out logistics like the train system by myself.

I am both excited and nervous to live with a host family. I spent a month in Germany during high school with a host family, but unfortunately I was not able to grow super close with my host parents because they did not speak English and I spoke very little German. I hope that I will be able to form better relationships with my host family this time around because I have a much higher knowledge level when it comes to Spanish. I am glad to have another student with me as a roommate too! I am still not sure exactly how to get from my host family’s house to the language school, but I am sure we will figure this out quickly when we get there. I do not know most of the students going on the trip, so I am looking forward to making some new friendships there too! Hopefully, we live near each other so that we can get to school together.

I have spent most of this week preparing for my trip, which has been a little stressful. I called my bank to put a travel notification on my card and ordered some euros to start out the trip. I also got an international phone plan, adaptors for my technology, and made copies of my important documents. I have already been vaccinated, so I gathered proof of this, although it is not a requirement to enter the country. Tomorrow I will go get a COVID test because you do have to show a negative PCR test result within 72 hours of arrival. Very important! There is a form I must also fill out for the Spanish government. There is a lot more preparation needed for an international trip, so it is best to start getting ready early. I still need to pack though!

Overall, I am looking forward to practicing my Spanish, building relationships, exploring a new part of Spain, and honestly having a fun summer. I am curious to see whether Cádiz will be like the other cities in southern Spain I have visited or if it will be different because it is a more isolated location on the coast. I bet they will have a lot of seafood as part of their diet, and I know Cádiz is a huge flamenco center. I watched a documentary for a Spanish class about the flamenco singer Camarón de la Isla, who is from Cádiz. I would love to explore more of his history while on the trip too. After this trip, I think I will be much more confident in my Spanish-speaking abilities and better able to navigate international locations on my own. I think it will be a fantastic experience in a beautiful location. I can’t wait! Pictures to come!