So, I have gotten a little lazy with making posts (I will blame it on my slow computer). To remedy, I will now try to catch you up on the week's happenings.
Monday- Today I got up early to go with Pilar on the bus to the BNC language school that I was supposed to be using for my spanish classes. Pilar told me the way, and then left me on my own. I had to take an oral quiz to determine my placement. Well, basically, the only day classes they are offering (this is off-peak season) is way to high of level for me. I was offered night classes, but they would be at the time that I am tutoring Maria and Alvaro, and finally, I could pay for private lessons that would be 35 euros an hour (very expensive!). So I left the language school stumped at what to do, and also smack-dab in the center of a city I've never navigated alone. So naturally I sat down, and thought for a while. Then I realized I needed to buy something, so I went into a Chino (what they call little stores that are operated by Asians) and picked out my item. Finally, I headed back to the street, followed the oral directions from both Pilar and the lady at the school and got back on the right bus to go home. I climbed up the massive hill, took in the breathtaking view of the city. Then when I went into the gate that I thought was mi casa, I actually ended up locked in the neighbor's gate. Luckily the janitor let me out and and finally made it home. Pilar helped me call around to other language schools and I found one that I could go check out the next day. I also gave my very first English lessons ever, and they went very well! Maria is practically fluent in English, I just help her with sentence structure. Alvaro needs some work with vocabulary and listening, but he surprised me with how much he knows already too. They have both been in an English school here, and now they are in a French school (Why aren't we doing this in America!?!?!?!) These children have better language skills than everyone I know practically! It is frustrating.
Tuesday- So round two of language school. This time I was dropped off by Pilar, and I was to ride the bus home. So this time I had to take another placement test, and I found out that the class begun on Monday and was full. But since I have some Spanish knowledge, I was able to join the class the following Monday. So here I am thinking, "What am I going to do all week?"--the answer was easy, explore Mallorca! I walked over to El Corte Ingles (Macy's of Spain) and I rode the escalator up like 7 floors for the fun of it. Then I got on the bus and rode it to Porto Pio (shopping center they took me to on Saturday). Here I bought minutes for my cell phone (Katrina's friend Joslin is lending me!) and I bought a new bag that would hold more stuff than my little purse. I went home and then planned the rest of my week of adventuring.
Wednesday- Today I set off on my first adventure. I left on the 10:50am train to Soller. This train is an antique train that travels through the mountains to Soller. Soller is a quaint village in northern Mallorca where you can eat some of the best oranges and walk around and just soak up island life. I arrived at the Placa Espana and went to the train and bus station. After standing in line quite a while, I was informed that the Train to Soller had its own station, separate from the actual bus/train station in Palma. I headed out the door and to the right. I found the station and stood in another long line to find out that you can only have cash. Ugh! I had 20 euros and you needed like 28 or something like that. The worker told me that there is a ATM around the corner from the building. So now I'm thinking that I will probably run out of time, but I needed cash anyway so I hurried to the ATM. I made it back in time, hopped on the train and rode all the way through the magnificent countryside of Mallorca. When my train arrived, I hopped on a tram that took me further to the Port de Soller. Here I walked around the boats, bought some souvenirs, and purchased some bread, ham, and cheese to eat by the port. I rode the tram back but only had 20 minutes until my train went back-bummer. So I mainly got to see Port de Soller and not really Soller. The only thing I was truly sad about was that there is an ice cream factory that is supposed to have fabulous orange flavored ice cream. I was hoping to quickly locate it in time to make it back to the train, but I didn't want to get lost and it was far from the station. So I settled for some random places orange flavored ice cream--good, but still wish I had found the famous one! I rode the train back and then rode the bus home--great trip, very tired!
Thursday- Day two of exploring. Today I decided to hit the main things to do in Palma, the Cathedral and a museum or two. Pilar was not around when I left the house, so I tried to ask the bus driver where to get off. He told me Carlos Miro. So here I am, sitting on the bus, watching for Carlos Miro to scroll across the screen--never does, bus comes to the end of the line, and I have to get off. Ugh! So I just crossed the street, and got on the next bus going back the other direction. I again tried to talk to the driver to figure out what stop to get off at. This time he told me Juan Carlos Miro---ahhh!!! says the American! Now I am having to go half-way back, and I finally got off at the right stop. I went to the Catedral --"The Cathedral of Santa Maria of Palma, more commonly referred to as La Seu (a title also used by many other churches), is a Gothic Roman Catholic cathedral located in Palma, Majorca, Spain, built on the site of a pre-existing Arab mosque. It is 121 metres long, 55 metres wide and its nave is 44 metres tall. Designed in the Catalan Gothic style but with Northern European influences, it was begun by King James I of Aragon in 1229 but finished only in 1601. It sits within the old city of Palma atop the former citadel of the Roman city, between the Royal Palace of La Almudaina and the episcopal palace. It also overlooks the Parc de la Mar and the Mediterranean Sea."--Wikipedia. It was quite lovely! It was raining now, so I went to the Royal Palace of La Almudaina next--"The Royal Palace of La Almudaina[1] is the Alcázar (fortified palace) of Palma, the capital city of the Island of Majorca, Spain. Having been built as an Arabian Fort, it was claimed as official royal residence in the early 14th century. Inside it has many empty rooms, however, when King James II began restoration, his design plan included the encompassing of the small, romanesque Chapel of Saint Anne. It stands opposite the dramatic Palma Cathedral with commanding views over the Bay of Palma."-Wikipedia. Also, very nice. When I made it through the whole palace, of course I came outside to heavier rain. I was trying to make it back to the bus stop I got off at. Of course, I get turned around and have no idea where I'm at. I had to ask like 5 people before I found my way. I kept asking how to get back to Joan Carlos Miro and they would say "turn left, and go straight". I would turn left, but then there seemed to be no such thing as "straight" because the road would fork or it would be zigzagging. I did get to stop off at a little bakery and I ordered a white chocolate cappachino and a salad for lunch. I picked up a croissant and brownie looking thing for later because my family was going out to dinner at a friend's house. I finally made it back and was happy to be home.
Friday- Public Holiday of Mallorca to celebrate Mallorca. So that night my family took me to the festival in the city and we saw all sorts of handmade Mallorcan and Spanish goods that you could buy. There were tons of people, and we just walked around and took it all in. We bought some sort of Mallorcan food that looked like a hot pocket, but it was filled with meat. It was weird because it wasn't warmed up, but it tasted good. After walking so much we were happy to go home and enjoy a meal as a family.
Saturday- Today was not very eventful. At 2:00pm, friends of their family came over for lunch. Their names were Joanna and William. After a full course meal, we rested and then we all went to town to drop Maria off at her grandparents house, and search for new skiing clothes for Juan. We went to a couple stores, and the second was an outlet mall just like you would picture in America. Alvaro had a friend staying the night so they played arcade games while Pilar and I shopped.
Sunday- I decided to venture out to a church today. Problem was, I didn't think in advance to try to locate it. I talked the bus driver, and he was super helpful in telling me the right stop to get off at. Once I got off, I walked all over trying to find the place. Just when I was about to give up, I found it. It was a contemporary service, in Spanish. I understood some of the songs, and some of them were ones that we sing at church at home. Everyone was very friendly, I got the European greeting of two kisses on the cheeks several times and I couldn't help but think how strange that would be to do at church in America! I am used to it now, because every time I meet someone new here we have to greet each other with kisses. Oh and after church I walked around a bit before getting back on the bus for home. I also did Monday's lesson with the kids so now my Monday will be free!
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