Turkey Day

Having been friends with a very vocally patriotic Texan/American for over two years I've found that my knowledge of a certain day of thanks has improved dramatically. No more am I confused as to what the reason for such as day is - oh no. Now, I am entirely sure that Thanksgiving is a day entirely devoted to carbohydrates, wine, ridiculously sweet deserts and - apparently - Baileys and Limoncello.

I was lucky enough to be invited to two Thanksgiving dinners. The first, on a Sunday, was a family affair. It involved menus, appetisers, an actual turkey-looking-turkey, and many of the aforementioned deserts. I also had a place setting made from a cork which is happily preserved on my desk. We were also invited to write on a piece of paper what we were thankful for. It was very difficult to imagine writing anything else but FOOD, because ohmygod was the food delicious. This led to quite a lot of lost in translation explanations of what the purpose of the paper was, but that just added to the fun.
Overall a wonderful, wonderful meal which I'm very grateful to have been invited to. Thank you Ashley and Inigo for letting me come along!

The second Thanksgiving was a potluck occasion, featuring - once again - an actual turkey. After a brief ( not brief at all it lasted like 2 hours) power cut in the flat, we were able to leave with semi-prepared mashed potatoes, patatas bravas and pan tumaca; absolutely none of which was made by me and probably tasted all the better for that. My planned contribution was sage and onion stuffing, but it turns out that sage doesn't exist in Spain.... I did however bring two bottles of (fake) Baileys!

Here we all are pre the food/drink induced sleepiness which followed. 

The Baileys may have been the reason (definitely was the reason) I thought it would be a good idea to try and name all the US States on a map. I had done this exercise with several classes already during the afternoon, I was pretty confident I could remember some... 

And this is what happened. 

I'm almost as embarrassed about my spelling as I am about the actual state names. 

Apologies to everyone from the US

At the earliest available occasion, when the mix of alcohol and opportunity is just right, I will be forcing several inebriated Americans to name all the countries in Europe. Consider yourselves forewarned. 

The past few weeks have also included a very glamorous trip to the ballet and a whirlwind visit to Barcelona! Most of my pictures of that weekend seem to have been taken inside a club, so apologies for the lack of photos. We had a lovely weekend - made possible by the generous hospitality of some friends of friends. It also involved a trip to The Hard Rock Cafe: literally the easiest way in the world to make me happy!  

Having traversed the British Isles to make it to my 21st birthday, Kerensa spent last weekend voyaging across the Iberian Peninsula. In her own words, it's definitely my turn next! Kerensa and I wasted little time, returning to the Sparkly Bar in glory, not once, not twice, but THRICE! Which made for a lovely prolonged trip down memory lane. 

Birthday chai lattes (my Starbucks cinnamon latte replacement)

As it was also the aforementioned Texans birthday (a number too big to be made public now, I feel.) Which meant that we got to go to La Mas Barata and demolish a massive plate of rice. 

The guilt on my face is not accurate - I was proud.

And here you have, what I feel, is a remarkably wonderful birthday present. From me to the birthday girl. (She is obsessed with owls.)

All in all it's been a very busy few weeks in Oviedo. I have to admit that I am looking forward to getting home! I'm very keen to visit the Christmas Market in Edinburgh. Not to mention I've heard tell of a Christmas Tree maze - that just sounds too good to be true! 

And here, as always, is the show-stopper. She's getting prepared for my visit at the weekend. A whole five days with me taking care of her.

I'd be scared too Messi....

It feels like one of those nights

I've decided to take a break from slamming my head against the brick wall that is the Spanish banking system (today's problem mainly being that neither my bank card, nor libretta, nor the twenty-five thousand different illegible numbers printed out at the bank, seem to be able to permit me to book a train ticket online.) and write about nice, happy things instead... The fact that at this very moment my bank card is staring up at me from my desk with, "Queremos ser tu banco," (we want to be your bank) in garish letters, is filling me with so much rage that I'm worried I might break something.

Anyway, on to the many happy and nice things.

It's been a long time since I last wrote and in that time something remarkable has happened. I too, like so many other disillusioned youths, have discovered that Taylor Swift has lied to us. 22 has not been one non-stop party with quirky sunglasses, I am not feeling confused and free in the best way, nor am I going to drink instead of sleep - soz Taylor I have to get up at 7.30. My brief venture into being 22 has featured much more complaining about the Spanish bureaucracy, working out how many cafe con leches I can drink without having a heart attack and choosing to stay in and watch the History Boys.

However, my birthday itself was really quite good. The parents came over for the weekend and we spent two days in Leon. Once again on my return from Castilla y Leon I have been plagued by a never ending cold. If I didn't love that place so much, I swear I would never go back!
We stayed at the Parador which was unbelievably beautiful. There was also some kind of mushroom conference going on at the same time.... we didn't ask.

All in all a rather lovely birthday which also featured trips to Sparkly Bar, a meal at the actual Tierra Astur restaurant - which in turn featured 3 bottles of Albarino - a care package of Scottish goodies and the best present ever: A Real Oviedo scarf! 

My five-year olds also sang Happy Birthday to me - that was kinda cute. 

Pre-birthday I had the long anticipated arrival of Olivia to enjoy. Being as obsessed with both the food and the drink this wonderful part of the world has to offer as I am, I couldn't possibly let Olivia visit Asturias without taking her to the espicha at Tierra Astur. After a slightly rocky start, half of our group left behind on the pavement as the bus pulled away, being told that there were only 3 places left for the espicha and almost being beheaded by waiters with platters of queso, we were able to enjoy the meal.

Liv's visit also provided ample opportunity for being touristy around Oviedo and in Gijon. 

We decided to take a walk along the front. Holly took on a wave. The wave, decidedly, won. 

Had a wonderful time showing Oviedo off to a big-city, turned small-Galician-town girl like Olivia. Looking forward to a trip to Ourense soon (but not the 6 hour bus journey). 

Last week I visited Alfonso II with Holly. I went with her to a 3rd year class that was once my 1st year class - it was very bizarre. They all look both older and the same age. When asked if they had any questions for me the first was, as always, "Do you have a boyfriend?" Never did I think I would be defending my love life to a classroom of thirteen year olds. 

This weekend was the long awaited ballet trip! The Russian National Ballet doing Sleeping Beauty in Teatro Campoamor. The performance was amazing, really enjoyable.

But (you knew there was a "but") as anyone who has spent more than two seconds in a theatre with me knows, I am going to write a manifesto about how to behave whilst part of an audience, clearly this manifesto will have to come with a Spanish translation. Mobile phones on during the show, attempts to take pictures, sitting in the wrong seats (although as the seat-system entirely befuddled me I might let that one slide this time) leaning forward so those behind can't see. I could go on...

As I said, the ballet was really good. Definitely enjoyed the use of wigs. 

Apart from all of this I've also managed to spend more of my wages in Zara, had a very successful Chinese takeaway and gone on an extended pub-crawl around Gijon culminating in queuing for the midnight bus back to Oviedo for over an hour.

(Take that Taylor!) 

Soon to come, Barcelona this weekend, which has crept up on me so fast that I'm not even sure what handbag I'm taking with me! Shortly after that the flat will be getting a Christmas makeover complete with tree. And then OH MY GOD KERENSA IS HERE. And then, it's practically time to come home for Christmas. 

Pre-Christmas I'm babysitting a certain cat who hasn't been feeling very well recently. (she had a cone, even I was sympathetic.) Everyone feel sorry for Messi. 

3,000 green bottles sitting on a wall.

Now the most important piece of news is, of course, that I braved the hairdressers. I was expecting a horrifically stressful experience, something akin to my final Spanish speaking exam, or perhaps my third failed driving test, and yet it couldn't have been easier. I used more hand actions than a French miming troupe and managed to convey that I wanted a minuscule cut and something done to the colour. The hairdresser used the word "honey" and I nodded with such ferocity that I think I scared her. It's nice to know that even in Spain my hair can generate quite a few, "wow, you've got a lot of hair, don't you?" Why, yes I do. Thankfully it all went well.

Anyway, in other, less cosmetic news. Last weekend I went back to Gijon, where I have visited many times before (see excited post relating to pinchos and a weary post relating to gin). The weather looked promising at the outset and with bus station pinchos and the tiniest coffee cup in the entire world, we headed off. Not before spotting the Real Oviedo bus at the station. I can neither confirm nor deny if this was the actual team bus - cause I have no idea. But I took a picture anyway!

Unfortunately the sun seemed to stay in Oviedo. But no matter because, realistically, how bad can things be if at 1pm on a Friday this is what I'm doing?

Gijon was lovely as always, even if the weather wasn't as beautiful as it could have been. We took a walk through the old town, along by the front, up to the peninsula and back again. 

No one believed me that it was like standing inside a giant seashell until they tried it for themselves! 

It has just occurred to me that I have absolutely no idea what this monument is called. Notaclue. I've always thought it's a bit of a shame that it is where it is. Looking at it from the angle of these photos it looks really spectacular, but if you look a little to the left there's miles of industrial buildings; nothing but cranes and steam. Whereas if you look to the right, there's a clear view into Playa de San Lorenzo, straight into Gijon and further along the coast. I suppose it's nice in a way; that it sits somewhere that shows the two sides of the city. 

Now it's always nice to find out that things have changed in my absence as so many things haven't. For example: obviously photos were taken in front of the Gijon sign - but just not on my camera. But one change I was not expecting was a gigantic tree-like tower of cider bottles. 

It would be all to easy to file this under "weird things Asturians do with their cider" but it seems that this construction was actually built to make a point. It's made of over 3,000 cider bottles and had something to do with the tradition of recycling bottles for cider. It's quite normal in Asturias for bottles to be reused over and over again. Gijon just decided to make some Art out of them too. 

On Thursday my least favourite Spanish word ever made a delightful return "HUELGA." However, as this was a huelga for all public school teachers, it didn't effect me much - thank God. However everyone here seemed right in the mood for protesting and so last night before the Principe de Asturias Awards at Teatro Campoamor there was a (surprisingly organised) protest in the square opposite the theatre. God the Spanish are loud when they're angry. Due to the sheer number of people, some protesting and some waiting to catch a glimpse of the Queen, Prince or Princess, it was impossible to see anything. 

The weather in Asturias right now is just bizarre. I don't remember it being this warm when I was here last time. Although I do remember that it was definitely colder after Christmas than before. But this is just weird. And annoying - I want winter clothes! At this rate I'm going to have the warmest birthday of my entire life! Hopefully the weather says nice enough for Liv's visit this weekend. Plans have been made to return to the Tierra Astur espicha and so I'm planning on not eating all week in preparation! 

Oviedo in October.

Expect news that the Spanish economy has bounced back from the crisis and is well on its way to financial stability. In other words, I made a triumphant return to Parque Principado yesterday. Oh dear. I have since been told that I had "crazy eyes," going on as we took a stroll around the shops. I can only apologise to the new people I have met who had to see me like that. (Holly, you should have known better.)

So, apart from ensuring that Mango will not be going out of business for the foreseeable future - what else have I been doing? Well, to the great happiness of all - Messi especially - I have moved from Holly's living room and back to Calle Jovellanos. Yay! Such a relief to have somewhere to stay. Although the internet is still a work in progress, but hey, it's Spain, let's not be picky.

It was pointed out to me that flat 3F is becoming like the apartment in Friends, with a revolving set of residents who all have one connection or another to the people who lived in it before! It's just as I remember; unnecessary wall-carpet, questionable electricity sockets and all.

LOOK AT THE WARDROBES!

I'm very happy to be living in the centre of Oviedo again, and even happier that I know - to the second- exactly how far away I am from all the essentials (gin, coffee, bread etc). This also means that I have returned to the wobbly tables of Cafe Oriental and am enjoying a pincho de pollo right this second - even though, everything is much prettier at 26 Grados....

I should maybe talk about work, since I'm apparently going to be doing it ALL THE TIME. In addition to the academy I had been talking to before I came back to Oviedo I've also got a job at another in the centre of town. I'm working from around 9am till 11.30am at one and 4pm till 10pm at the other. Sympathy please? After moaning to both parents about this strenuous schedule they reminded me that I'm still living in Spain, where Albarino is 1.50 a glass, cafe con leche is a euro and I can eat a three-course meal for less than 10 euros. They might have a point there....
I'm teaching a complete variety of classes, from adult beginners to advanced conversation classes and a class for infants. And when I say infants, I mean infants - 3 YEARS OLD! They are slowly stealing my soul. 

Right, culture. Last weekend it was "Noche Blanca." In true Spanish style, no one seemed to know what was going on, where it was going on or what exactly it was all about. It seemed to be a night in which all the museums and galleries would open up during the night for people to explore - sounds great, until you realise that I could only think of one gallery in Oviedo and it was entirely rammed with people. It turns out that we, thinking that everything would be winding down after midnight, missed out on most of the events which didn't start until 2am. (#vidaespanola). The one thing we did manage to see was a cloud of white balloons being released throughout Old Town. Why? Don't know. But it looked pretty. 

Apart from all of that its been three weeks of coffee, lesson planning and and wine. Also featured was my first menu del dia since moving back, the standard trip to Ikea for household necessities, successfully building an Ikea lamp which had stumped many, and a few cocktails here and there.  

In a few weeks I'm looking forward to a trip from Miss Olivia McGrath who is taking the (ridiculously long) journey up to Oviedo from Ourense. Expect many a touristy picture.

And now, to appease those who commented on my last post with "More cat pictures please." (Yes you Kate Newton.)

It's good to be back.

It seemed apt to kick the blog back into action now that I've moved back to Oviedo. I would like to apologise for the overly descriptive and the altogether unnecessary number of adjectives. Being away from university I'm anxious to ensure that I don't lose my ability to waffle aimlessly for pages on end or talk for hours about absolutely nothing - wouldn't want that English degree to go to waste! Changing things around slightly from last year I am not writing from my usual table at Cafe Oriental, I've set up shop in a new cafe across the road from Holly's flat, I'm not saying that Oriental does not still occupy  special place in my heart, I'm just saying the tortilla is better here!

The journey to Oviedo last weekend seemed fairly straight forward until I arrived at the little shack that is Asturias Airport without a suitcase; lost somewhere in the fathoms of Barcelona El Prat. Not exactly how I wanted to kick off my return - trying desperately to communicate with Holly through the automatic doors between baggage reclaim and arrivals. Everything was greatly improved later on as we headed to Holly's very beautiful new flat and met her new flatmate. Now, I'm not saying that I was replaced, simply that Holly traded me in for a smaller, cuter model.

Meet Messi. Every bit as quick footed and speedy as her name sake, and not too bad at diving either. 

Those who know me know that I am not what one would call, "an animal person." Nonetheless, Messi has decided that she likes me; showing her affection by trying to eat the nail polish off my toes and jumping on my face in the middle of the night - how have could I have possibly gone for so long without a pet?! 

At the beginning of the week we were treated to some of the nicest weather I've seen in Oviedo. The issue being that my memories of Oviedo all seemed to come from the December/January portion of my year abroad, and so while I am amply supplied with jumpers and winter skirts, I am entirely unequipped to deal with Oviedo at 32 degrees. Nonsensical outfits aside we took a trip to Las Salinas on Sunday; coincidentally one of the first places I visited two years ago and I think one of the first places I blogged about. 

This is what I remember Salinas looking like; a great stretch of beach that goes beyond the corner of the coast in the edge of this picture. What I didn't realise was that although I'd visited this beach about ten times last year, I'd never turned left along the beach. At the other end is an, well, "Anchor Museum."

I had no idea this was there - complete tourism fail. 

My favourite discovery was the head poking out the side of the rocks. Why? Who knows - it's Spain, we don't ask why. 

Successful lens flare? Does this mean I'm J.J Abrams now...?

 All in all my first few days back in Oviedo were wonderfully relaxing. Now all the hard stuff begins.
I've managed to secure a job teaching in a language academy a little outside of the centre of Oviedo which is definitely a good start and a little weight off my shoulders. The next job was to find a flat, easier said than done. I was entirely spoiled last time, given that the flat and flatmates were sorted before I had even left Scotland. But it's still early days and I'm sure I'll find something soon.

So there we go; officially back in Oviedo, over-dosing daily on cafe con leche and pinchos.

The best part of a year

When Kerensa and I were in Santander we were talking about how long we'd actually spent in Spain; we say a year but in reality it's only about eight or nine months - an academic year. I called it, "the best part of a year," and that got me thinking. When we say "the best part of," we mean the majority, the longest part - not actually the most enjoyable or successful part. But this year has been "the best part," in both senses; the longest and the most fun. I went off on a little pensive turn and realised how lucky I am that the majority of my year has also been the best. My time in Oviedo has been both.

I'm in Santiago de Compostela now; I arrived yesterday but more about that later. First I have several weeks of fun to fill in.

Santander

I finally made it along to Cantabria and Santander with Kerensa a few weekends ago as she was sailing back  home (how much cooler than an easyjet flight is that?!) 

Expecting horrible weather - as the forecast told me - I was dressed for winter and arrived in summer. Unimpressed. Nonetheless Santander was really gorgeous and I'm so happy we got to see it in the sunshine.

The very lovely views from our very lovely window of the very lovely hostel.

We spent the day walking around and taking pictures. Kerensa pretended to be a lion beside the Post Office to match her pretending to be a lion picture from Barcelona. 

We took a long walk along the front of the town by the beach and out on to the Penisula at the end. Which has a huge building called the Palacio de Magdalenas - and just happens to be where my FAVOURITE Spanish period drama is set!! (Okay, the ONLY period drama I've watched in Spain.)

We took a wander back down the hill and found the Cantabrian Children's Day was going on in the park so sat and ate some awesome food, listened to music and I'm pretty sure I witnessed the first training sessions of a future Barca player!

We also had a very odd interaction with some people selling raffle tickets to support the "Cantabria libre," movement. I really had no idea that CANTABRIA wanted to be independent too! Spain; seriously - get your act together. The guy also said, "Free Alba," when he found out I was Scottish; unfortunately my Spanish isn't good enough to give him the reply I wanted to so I simply smiled politely. 

The next day the weather wasn't as great in the morning so we explored the Cathedral and ate ice cream! 

Then it was bye bye Kerensa time - something I was not looking forward to. I packed her off on the ferry and then wandered around by myself for a few hours. My love affair with ALSA almost ended when my super swish Supra bus to Oviedo was cancelled because of a strike! But I got home eventually! Thank God.

The Scottish Invasion

The Celtic invasion of Oviedo has been long overdue and finally last week after lots and lots of planning I received my first visitor who wasn't related to me! 

Of course, the huelga meant that Sarah's journey was more than slightly hindered on her arrival in Asturias; a wait of two hours in the airport. However she finally arrived - I had to race the bus along the road to the bus station (stupid traffic lights slowed me down). After a quick stop for some food we watched My Week with Marilyn!

Our next day was one I had been looking forward to for weeks. CEILIDH DANCING!

All of my first years in one room with ceilidh music - how could it possibly go wrong? 

In reality, they managed the Virginia Reel rather well - although the Grand Old Duke of York bit at the end confused them slightly. Then, I over-reached: Gay Gordans. I forgot that the hold is something every Scot is born knowing how to do but it's really difficult to try and explain; I got to the point where I didn't even know how it worked any more! Regardless; the kids really enjoyed themselves and Sarah only had to break out the; "I teach five year old's who are better behaved than you!" once.

Now, there has been a theme that has emerged whenever Sarah and I visit each other - it tends to involve a lot of sitting about watching TV and this trip was no different. Mostly because we became a little nocturnal instead; three words - Five Night Bender. 

So that night Sarah was introduced to Oviedo night-life and the next we went to an Espicha at Tierra Astur. An Espicha is basically a huge meal served on long tables with music and cider and wine. Tell me any part of that that sounds bad?! The huegla still going the actual getting to the restaurant which was out in Colloto proved difficult but we survived. I cannot even begin to explain how much food we ate. Oh God. So much. 

It was also Tom's last night. Bye bye Tom :(
Epic trip in general completed by Sarah and I having a national anthem battle in the taxi home - we won.

Friday was the arrival of Emma-Lou and Jacqueline; also hindered by the huelga.
(Seriously Alsa - it's over, we're done.)
They arrived an were immediately introduced to the joys of Menu del Dia and taken for an explore around Oviedo.
Despite my promises and my praying for good weather; we were met with a severe lack of sunshine - but no matter; to Calatrava! We went shopping on Saturday which I had previously hoped would have been our beach day - the joys of Zara soon placated the Scots and a walk around Campo San Francisco filled out culture quota for the day.

Saturday. Three letters. BNO. (Big Night Out)

Yummy food. Cocktails. Calle Mon.
I also drank out of a coconut at one point; I'm still not entirely sure why.
Jacqueline and Sarah gifted us with a full dance routine to Call Me Maybe which had (thanks to a fantastic video of Barrack Obama) been stuck in all of our heads all weekend. I could put all the pictures in here; but that would take forever. Needless to say - it's genius.

Sunday. Jacqueline slept; we three went to Mass. When will I learn to remember when special holidays are?! The Cathedral was full for possibly the first time I've ever seen; and all the children were dressed in their Communion dress.  My usual speedy 12 o'clock Mass took over an hour. I shouldn't moan but.... it was finally sunny outside!!
After rising Jacqueline from her stupor we took off to Gijón. Hello beach!

The required by law picture beside the sign.

After saying lots that day that I didn't mind only seeing the second half of the Spain - Italy match, once knowing that we'd be back for kick-off I almost ran up Gascona to get to a TV. My drink had to be taken off me more than once for fear of it going over my head and smashing. 

Emma-Lou didn't enjoy the game much; commenting that it would be  more fun if they fought. 

So after watching De Rossi and Torres fight (clearly over my heart) we went for some lovely dinner and once again for cocktails - running theme.

Monday morning was Adios Sarah time - very sad as its the last time I'll see her until September :(

It meant I had to get up suuuuuper early to go to the bus station with her, nonplussed.com

It was still raining; my plans for things to do epically failed and so Emma-Louise, Jacqueline and I enjoyed the eating of pinchos and drinking of coffee; not to mention a few more trips to Zara and Mango. 

We finished their visit with a trip to Peggy Sue's - where Emma described the food as, "the best burger," she'd ever eaten; I've yet to inform the management to place a plaque somewhere to that effect. And of course, the standard Sparkly Bar trip. 

Jacqueline was shocked.

It was amazing to have them visit - even though the weather was quite rubbish I'm glad they finally got to really see what my life was like in Oviedo; and why I'm never going to stop talking about it!!

On Wednesday night Holly and I went for our first meal out together EVER. (We had eaten at the dining room table together for the first time only the week before!) A drive to Gijón and some very tasty food.

And there you have it. The end of my time in Oviedo. 

I still can't quite believe that it's over. I think I'm in denial. I feel like this is a little holiday to Santiago de Compostela but I'll be back in Oviedo in no time. But alas no; soon it's back to reality.

BUT NOT YET! Two weeks here and then a week travelling with the family around Castilla-la-Mancha.

I want to say thank you to everybody I met in Oviedo (if any of them actually read this!) especially to the ones I won't see for a while. I really did have the most amazing year there and it wouldn't have been the same without any of you! 

Gracias, y hasta luego!