My middle name is Scaredy Cat

Last night I reached for my glass of water and because hand eye coordination has never been one of my bragging rights, I basically pushed it off the table where it soon met its death. Being that I was snuggled in nicely in my nest, cleaning it up wasn't really something I wanted to deal with so I threw a pair of red pants on top of it. I think my logic was the red was supposed to signal my attention this morning when I got out of bed. No alerts went off this morning. No one was hurt but it left me thinking all day.... Someday I could be a mother? I sometimes can't believe the situations I put myself in. How easy it would have been to clean up, rather than getting out of bed to a scene straight from a Saw movie.

I wish I was more proactive but I'm just not and it turns out Spain and I share that in common. I've done some activities since I've been here that would qualify as waiver necessary adventures. Ha, yeah right, I have not even seen a waiver of any sort. Are we just over protective in the States? Or more prepared for accidents? When I went sailing we walked on these balance beam-thin floating things that they use to fish for mussels. Here this photo explains better than my 20 adjective sentence:

When I stepped on to this unstable structure on top of freezing cold water, my legs immediately turned to linguini. That trigged the intrinsic reaction to become horizontal as soon as possible. The instructor saw my fear and came over to give me a hand. But (and this applies to all boys) somehow thought it would be hilarious to shake me in my moment of already extreme trepidation. I thought I was going to cry. Actually I think I did. Then he announced as an afterthough, "ah girls, if you fall in the water, No move. I come to you, because the mussels... they have knives in the mouths and can damage the body."

I think this was the only verbal acknowledgement of what to do if something bad happens. And maybe it was the translation or word choice, but I felt whole heartedly worse after he said that.

On Saturday we decided to go horseback riding.  I guess I felt I've been needing more risk in my life and eating questionably expired cheddar just wasnt cutting it for the adventure level. But honestly, I was really really excited for this.

Until....

I met Jacob.

Pronounced "ha-ko-bo". He was my horse. And I am pretty sure this was the first time he had a human being on his back. We got off on the wrong foot when I called him Jacob and maybe commented on his matted hair. He took offense really fast and decided he wouldnt listen to my commands at all. When I kicked to go faster, he halted. And when I told (asked/begged/insisted/pleaded) to stop, he sure as hell did not. I told the horse trainer that Jacob wasnt listening to me and doesnt speak Spanish or English. And you know, like trainer like horse. He didnt really help me out either. I would have thought again, the apparent fear in my face would signal some reaction. He didnt shake me like the sailing instructor but he did use this stupid pokey thing on Jacob to make him go the right way and I was like "god please stop tormenting my horse!" (But in a moment of crisis your brain definately does not produce translations for such important phrases).

 I dont trust that trainer or ha-ko-bo. 

Here is a picture. Jacob is on the far right trying to appear pony-esque. Do not be fooled by his small stature or silly horse facade.

They look peaceful in this next picture as well but they were actually just fed up with pictures and turned around to start doing their own thing again. (However, this also happens alot with Risches.)

 

Moral of the story is Im going to be reading some books for a while and hope no more precarious situations call my name. Here are the things I do for sure know about myself so I can be sensible next time making a decision. Camille does not like heights, spiders, fast things, unstable things, heights (its quite important so it gets listed twice), animals that aren't cute and fluffy and fully tamed or divided by a protective glass, slippery rocks, crazy druggie people, oh and she really hates being trapped in a kayak underwater. (That adventure didn't take long to abandon and swear never to attempt again.)

Soy asi.

-Camille S.C. Risch

Peace Day

We celebrated "Dia de Paz" the other day at school. It was a beautiful sunny day and we took the afternoon off to celebrate the event. After the banners each class had made were put up and applauded for, we went out to the playground. We all held hands in a spiral formation and started singing a song. Apparently there was a choreographed dance as well that I didnt know. But with elementary school children they repeat the song and dance like 5 times and fortunately I picked it up in a cinch and was whirling and twirling with everyone else.  Then something was announced and a mass stampede to the center commenced. I had no idea what was going on (as always), I just knew that all the children were pushing towards the center of the black hole and something awesome must be up there.

Turns out we were releasing doves.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Please stop and look at how cute my school/children are:

http://centros.edu.xunta.es/ceipriadevigo/

I stopped in the fruiteria

When I run I usually put my key in my ipod pouch with a two euro coin. Tonight I stopped by the fruiteria and dug out my belongins and then dropped the key in the crate of potatoes. The man had no idea why i was being so picky choosing potatoes and I had no idea how to explain. Until, eureka! I held up the key to the whole shabang.

And then he found out I got crazier because I kept asking "how much would my total be with ...this... (holding up a pepper)?" I wanted to get as close to two euros as possible. Turns out, you can buy a head of cauliflower, six carrots and two bananas. What a deal!

Ice, Spice and Good Tidings.

Clara is gone for a week. Which means the secador is gone for a week as well. I thought it couldn't get any colder here, but then I went outside with wet hair. And thanks to James Cameroon, I know that being wet and cold is basically fatal. I need the hot African sun like never before. And mark my words, when I get back to Oklahoma I am sleeping in the dryer. Almost as an anti-protest. Just a love-fest. I miss the machine that makes my clothes hot and snuggly, so very much.

Ok now something about Spain? Ummm...... if they say something is muy picante, this means it has little to any spice at all. Ask for muy x 45 picante (this doesnt translate dont actually say this). I had a dinner party recently and made curry. Knowing that spice levels were skewed to the bland side, I made it not very spicy. I'm not some spicy oficianado (please don't dump a jar of cayene in my dish as a test when I return) I just like some zazz. Anyway, all the Spanish friends were basically in tears after eating the curry. I guess I next time I'll be more curryful.

Must go. Im preparing for my classes and we are teaching Christmas Carols. I hate teaching words like "good tidings" and "kin". Its a thorn in my side to think that one day when they are traveling in Arizona, they won't be able to remember "paper towel" or "roadside assistance" because back in 4th grade the American taught them words used once a year in Christmas carols.

Researching Morocco

While researching my imminent adventure to Marrekech, Morocco, I have discovered some truly quirky descriptions online that I just can't seem to get enough of. Seeing as there is no one next to me to share a cackle with at the absurd translations and phrasing, I'll share with my blog. Sometimes I really feel like this is a "Wilson" I am talking too.

Anyway here goes:


El Badi Palace is a palace now in ruins and inhabited by storks and stray cats. There are some underground passageways to explore. Admission is DH 10. The view from the terrace is majestic. A must-see.

Equity Point Marrakech - Riad Amazigh, 80, Derb El Hammam Mouassine ....  extremely tricky to find. Some good advice would be to print off a map and stick to it, and dont assume you will find it when you get there, as there will be many people who claim to know where it is for a small fortune.

Riad Zara, 294 Derb Ben Salek ... In the evening, candles are lit and guests gather around the pool, enjoying wine and if you're lucky Hassan might give a live music performance.

Some of the hostels include "warm water" as an ammenity. This makes me concerened that it was not a given. Maybe I should bring toilet paper since I didn't see it listed.

 I kept reading "Hammam" and finally asked google for some explaining. Basically its the Moroccan version of the turkish bath. Here's a funny article describing one woman's experience. I think this is a must.

Also a must will be this:

Anyway, very excited for this adventure. From what I remember, we will most likely be bombarded from the moment we step off the plane due to the fact we are three American girls not wearing hijabs. I cant wait til Saturday. I'm also pretty sick of Jamon so Im ready for some Moroccon food. Mmm! But for now, I need to go fine-tune my haggling techniques. Love to all!

P.S. Nineteen dayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyys until I'm Oklahome!

Writing a blog is the hardest thing I've ever done.

But I will attempt and in current fashion I will write about whatever bizarre topic Im thinking about right now, which happens to be......about my recent rendezvous with the website Stuff White People Like. I try not to frequent it often.

As a generic white person, I feel extremely accosted when I read about myself being a stereotypical white person doing stereotypical things such as this year off. Its nice to laugh at but I'm sure there's an entry for you too. Stuff White People Like Entry #1899 Reading Camille's Blog About Nothing. What's the name of that restaurant where they yell profanities at you during your entire meal? (We never had such thing in Oklahoma but we heard about it). Anyway, its the same kind of personal assault I feel now. (So I hear).  I think we both know that if I actually went to one of these restaurants and anyone used such a caustic tone with me when I asked for water, I would probably just cry my own glass instead.

I try not to look at the list of Stuff White People Like because when I do I get depressed and realize they know everything about my pigeon hole. Of course I prep for a year for my favorite holiday, Halloween. I carry my disposable grocery bag and throw away my coke can when the recycle bin is too far away. Its a good thing my only outlet to the White World is through the internet now. What is the new trend? Are we still harrassing people wearing Ed Hardy? Taking pictures of cute old men? Everyone (erudite twenty-something year olds such as myself) knows being old is cute and envied.


Oh by the way, I am alive. I went on a hiatus from my blog. That may be a euphamism. I am also "soaking" about three pans in my sink right now, and I think we all know that is the glorious cop-out for putting off dishes until you are disgusted with your messy kitchen (and needing one of the said pots). How about I just upload some pictures and you all can guess the rambling that otherwise would have been supplemented? Travel pictionary.






They call this beauty "hot chocolate". Goodbye weight loss. Hello tastebud fiesta.

Halloween was done right in Madrid. That is, until I paid an arm and a leg to get into a horrible 7 story discoteca, then paid another extremity for a drink and later was almost trampled as the stampede left the building. Our lights actually saved us and we were able to find each other amidst the chaos. At the end of the night, I felt like a true Chilean miner.

Estamos vivos! We're alive!

Strolling on the beach before we had a Magosto (event where you roast chestnuts).

Hello fareros! (lighthouse workers)



Isn't she a beauty? Best day yet. Getting to go with the workers
to service the lighthouses on the Isles Cies.

I think I made Manuel nervous because I kept asking to drive the boat.

Um yeah we hiked that. Had to service that lighthouse!

Trip to Portugal

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Went to my teacher's house in her home village. Turns out her house is older than my country.

Ok now for update with words: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMMMMMMMMMMMMMMAAAAAZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG. Life's a peach. I teach English. I learn Spanish. I eat bad food. I watch trash t.v. in Spanish (I didn't know trash t.v. could get more awful and confusing). And I don't even feel remorseful that I have since forgotten such words as resume, interview, 1040 ez, forbearance, etc. My fingers even stuttered typing them. Its going to be a hella transition coming back to reality.

Here are some goals:

Stop ignoring my blog.

Give more attention to the gym. (The front desk guy actually say things like "You came back! -in spanish- and Im like yeah... that doesnt translate to something nice. Or maybe its ok to be more blunt here.)

Attempt to talk to understand old people at the bus stops. They always talk to me in mumbly spanish-gallego and I smile and offer a peice of gum. I wonder how I am percieved here.....

Get a camera and take pictures. Iphone is great but I dont think it substitutes.

Spanglish word play

Today I asked my students "Como se dice 'award' en espanol?" And one cute little boy replied, "una palabra?"

 I think I'm in love. Its a shame my soulmate is a 9 year old.